I give you the flower The first I have picked today. It will die in thy hand, This white flower; then understand It shows to you my destiny. When the flower is withered, I will have been forgotten. Farewell!
O Madonna di grazia, una parola ancora Io tremo nel riprender l'infinito Mio viaggio, e mi pare che di qui non Ci sieno più sentieri che portino Alla gioja. Ho paura di scegliere. La mia buona ventura ti guidi. Scegli tu per me. Farò il cammino Che m'imporrà la tua piccola Mano.
Most charming Madonna, one word more. I tremble to take up again my unending journey; and I believe that you can show me the path to all happiness. I am afraid to pick it out. To my best fortune guide me! I will take the way you point out with your beautiful little hand.
SILVIA (who has ascended some of the steps of the terrace indicates the direction leading away from the city.)
E sia! Dunque di là! dove splende l'aurora!
Be it so. 'Tis there! Where glorious shines the Dawn!
Cuore! V'è il dolore Tra il profumo E lo splendore Par che il pianto si nasconda In quel fior, piccina bionda.
(Fa qualche passo verso Silvia, ma essa lo ferma col gesto, egli, dopo aver fatto un gesto disperato fugge bruscamente).
Heart of mine, why from weeping Comes the perfume, true love keeping? Think you grieving all unbidden In this flower can be hidden?
(Makes some steps toward Silvia, but being stopped by a gesture; after making a gesture of desperation, he moves away quickly).
(She remains a moment on the terrace thinking, and looking toward Zanetto while he is far away. Then she hides her face in her hands and weeps).
Sia benedetto Amore, Posso piangere ancora!
Blessed art thou, O Love! Now can I weep again!
Chorus of peasants and villagers. Chorus behind the scenes.
TURIDDU, a young villager, son of LUCIA, was LOLA's lover, when, according to the military laws of Sicily, he was conscripted as a soldier. He left LOLA, vowing eternal affection; but LOLA, growing weary of waiting, in his absence, accepts the addresses of ALFIO, the happy teamster of the village. At the end of his term of military service, TURIDDU returns home, improved in appearance, style and manners by his military training. Finding LOLA married, he wins the affections of SANTUZZA, whom he at length betrays. Meantime the mutual passion between him and LOLA revives, and is indulged in the absence of ALFIO on his frequent trips to the neighboring villages in pursuit of his calling. ALFIO's discovery on Easter morning of his wife's unfaithfulness precipitates the catastrophe. Rejected and cast out by her betrayer, SANTUZZA in a moment of extreme jealousy, exposes the infamy of LOLA and TURIDDU. ALFIO challenges TURIDDU, according to the rustic Sicilian code, in which each party bites the other's right ear. It is understood between the combatants that the severity of the bite in the challenge indicates the degree of animosity to be expected in contest. TURIDDU regrets his evil course; but nevertheless resolves to fight; and is killed.