AMELIA

AnewEnglishopera.
Textby

HenryCarey
Musicby

JohnFrederickLampe
Firstperformance:13marzo1732,London.

www.operalib.eu

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Informazioni

Amelia

Caralettrice,carolettore,ilsitointernetwww.librettidopera.itdedicatoailibretti
d'operainlinguaitaliana.Nonc'unintentofilologico,troppocomplessoperessere
trattatoconlemierisorse:viinveceunintentodivulgativo,lavolontdifar
conoscereivariaspettidiunapartedellanostracultura.
Motivazioniperscriverenotediringraziamentononmancano.Contributie
suggerimentisonogiuntidaognidove,viendadiredagliAppenninialleAnde.
Tuttoquestoaiutomihadatoemistadandoentusiasmopercontinuareamiglioraree
ampliaregliorizzontidiquest'impresa.Ringrazioquindi:
chimihadatoconsiglisugraficaeimpostazionedelsito,chihasvoltoleoperazioni
diaggiornamentosulportale,tutticolorochemettonoadisposizionetestiemateriali
cheriguardanolalirica,chihadonatotempo,chimihaprestatohardware,chimettea
disposizionesoftwarediqualitaprezzipichecontenuti.
Infineringraziolamiafamiglia,periltemporubatoleededicatoaquesta
attivit.
Ititolivengonosceltiinbaseaunaseriedicriteri:disponibilitdelmateriale,data
dellaprimarappresentazione,autoriditestiemusiche,importanzadeltestonella
storiadellalirica,difficoltdireperimento.
Aquestopuntovieneampliatalavarietdelmateriale,elasuaaffidabilit,tramite
acquisti,ricercheinbiblioteca,suinternet,donazionedimaterialidapartedi
appassionati.Ilmaterialeraccoltovieneanalizzatoemessoaconfronto:viene
eseguitaunatrascrizioneinformatoelettronico.
Quindivieneeseguitaunarevisionedeltestotramiterilettura,econunsistema
automaticodirilevazionesiadelleanomaliestrutturali,siadellavaliditdeilemmi.
Vengonointegratisedisponibiliinumerimusicali,eindividuatiibranipi
significativisecondolacritica.
Vienequindieseguitaunaconversioneinformatostampabile,chestateleggendo.
Grazieancora.

DarioZanotti
Libretton.87,primastesuraperwww.librettidopera.it:giugno2016.
Ultimoaggiornamento:09/07/2016.

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H.Carey/J.F.Lampe,1732

DramatisPersonae

DRAMATISPERSONAE
Men
OSMYNgrandvisier,commanderoftheTurks
CASIMIRprinceandgeneraloftheHungarian
army

.......... BASSO

.......... TENORE

RODULPHOhisfriend,inlovewithAugusta
Women
AMELIAwifeofCasimir
AUGUSTAsistertoCasimir,inlovewith
Rodulpho

.......... SOPRANO

.......... CONTRALTO

Officer,Guards,Attendants,etc.
ThefrontiersofHungariatowardsTurkey.

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Theargument

Amelia

Theargument
Casimir,princeandgeneraloftheHungarianarmy,beingunfortunatelydefeatedina
warbetweenhimandOsmyngrandvisieroftheTurks,istakenprisoner.Uponthe
arrival of this unhappy news, Amelia, Casimir's wife, resolves to try all possible
meanstoeffecthisredemption;accordinglysheadvisesRodulpho,ayoungprince,
andanintimatefriendofCasimir,todresshimselfinaTurkishhabit,andpresenther
toOsmynasacaptivetakenbyhim,imaginingthatifshecouldbebroughtintothe
presenceofthegrandvisier,hewouldbesodeeplycaptivatedwithherbeauty,that
shecouldeasilyinducehimtograntanyfavour,uponaseemingcondescensiontoany
thingheshouldaskofherinreturn:withthisviewsheiscarriedtoOsmyn,upon
whomshehadtheinfluenceshepromis'dherself,andcompleatedtheredemptionof
herhusband.Ameliahavingthussuccessfullyobtainedherdesiredends,soonafter
meetingwithagoodopportunity,whenOsmynwasengagedinotheraffairs,makes
her escape with Rodulpho by night, and disappoints the grand visier of his
expectation.Augusta,Casimir'ssister,allthiswhilemissingAmelia,andRodulpho
herlover,supposestheyaregoneuponsomeviciousdesign;andCasimirhimselfnot
findingthemathomeathisreturn,concurswithherinthesameopinion,sothatupon
her coming back they meet with a reception much contrary to what they might
naturally hope for after so dangerous an adventure, being both instantly put into
confinement: Amelia so highly resents this undeserved usage, that she advises
RodulphonottogiveCasimiranyimmediatesatisfactionabouttheirundertakings;
butRodulphofindingthatsuchadelaywouldbeofdangerousconsequence(aday
beingalreadyfix'dfortheirexecution)resolvestoconcealitnolonger,butinaletter
toCasimirgivesagenuineaccountofalltheirproceedings,thetruthofwhichheisso
wellconvincedof,thatheisinstantlyreconciledtobothhisdeliverers,andgives
AugustatoRodulphoinmarriageasagratuityforhisextraordinaryfriendship.

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H.Carey/J.F.Lampe,1732

Actthefirst

ACTTHEFIRST
Scenethefirst
Scene,aspaciouscountry.
OsmynattheheadoftheTurkisharmy.
OSMYN Herelettheweariedarmyrestawhile,

thaterewefarthermarch,
wemayhavetimesedatelytoconsult
themeasuresnecearytobetaken
tomaketheTurksvictorious;
thennoughtremains,butwithundauntedcourage
toprosecuteourscheme.
OSMYN

Whattoil!whatdanger!andwhatcare!
Togloryleadtheway:
commandedbythegodofwar,
thebravewithjoyobey.
(Exeunt.)

Scenethesecond
AcourtbeforeCasimir'spalace.
Casimir,Amelia,Augusta,andRodulpho.
AMELIA
(toCasimir)

Oletmedie,whileyetIsee
thecomfortofmyheart;
forworsethaninstantdeath'twillbe
fromthee,mylove,topart.
CASIMIR Weepnot,Amelia,

mycountry'ssafetyloudlycallsmehence,
andImustnowinevitablyleavethee:
howcantheseeyesbeholdHungariaravag'd
byboldinvadingTurks?
No,heavenisguardianofourrighteouscause,
andCasimiritsinstrumentofvengeance.
Farewel,mydear,tillconquestbringsmeback,
tolaymylaurelsatAmelia'sfeet.
Continuedonnextpage.

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Actthefirst

Amelia

CASIMIR

(ToRodulpho)

Rodulpho!Iintrusttheewithacharge
dearertomethanallterrestrialblessings,
mysister,andmywife:
attestyourfriendshipbyafaithfulcare.
Oncemorefarewel,myfriendandsister;
andohmydearestwife!farewel.
CASIMIR

Whatheartcanhelpbleeding,mycharmer!
toleaveonesovirtuousandfair;
sureheav'nwillletnothingalarmher,
butmakeher,formysake,itscare.
(ExeuntCasimirandAmeliadifferentways.)

Scenethethird
AugustaandRodulpho.
AUGUSTA Ohwhatadismaldayisthis,Rodulpho!
RODULPHO Despairnot,princess,ofyourbrother'ssafety;

amnotIalmostequallyconcern'd?
ToCasimirmyfriendshipissogreat,
that,butforyourdearsake,
arm'dbyhissidewithpleasurewouldImarch
toshieldhim,andtosharewithhimthedanger.

AUGUSTA Areyoualreadywearyofyourcharge?

Go,followhim,itisnotyettoolate,
Ineednotyourprotection.
AUGUSTA

Leaveme,leaveme,
don'tdeceiveme:
faithlesslover!
Idiscover
thatanotherhasyourheart.
Allyoursmiling
isbeguiling,
allyourpassion
affectation,
go,Iseethroughallyourart.

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H.Carey/J.F.Lampe,1732

Actthefirst

RODULPHO Youwrongme,fairAugusta;

canyoucondemnmyrealfriendship
tohim,whomyousodearlyvalue?
Youaretheonlyoneofallthesex
thatevergain'dmyheart:
whywouldyouthentormentmethus,
andwoundmewithsuchundeserv'dreproaches?
RODULPHO

Friendship,glory,Idisdain,
thee,mycharmer,toobtain:
whocanotherbeautiesprize
thathasseenthoseconqu'ringeyes?
Wrongnotthenmyflamesincere,
bysuspiciontoosevere,
since'tispastallpow'rtomove
theardourofmyconstantlove.
(Exeunt.)

Scenethefourth
AprospectoftheTurkishcamp.
Osmyn,Officers,Guards,andAttendants.
OSMYN Bethisthedayappointed

torushwithfuryonourchristianfoes.
Now,now,mymussulmen,exertyourcourage;
those,whointhisengagementfall,
willbeabundantlyrewarded
withtheeternaljoysofparadise:
therestwithspoilandconquestwillreturn.
Inseparableblessingsthusattendus,
whetherweliveordie,
we'resureofhappiness.
OSMYN

I'lldestroytheproudfoeinhisglory,
fromourpresenceheshallfly,
forI'llconquerordie,
todubiousfearIamastranger:
letallbesobrave,thatthestory
maybenotedbyfame,
fromtheGangestoThame,
andequaltheheightofourdanger.
(Exeunt.)

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Actthefirst

Amelia

Scenethefifth
RodulphoandAmelia.
RODULPHO Ohprincess!whythissolemnfaceofmourning?

Provokenotprovidencebyyourdistrust;
'tistimeenoughtogrievewhenthere'soccasion.

AMELIA Ifeelasecretbodinginmysoul,

athousanddismalapprehension
byturnstorment,androbmeofmyrest.
AMELIA

Distractingfears,
tormentingcares,
perplexmydoubtfulmind;
tillhisreturn,
forwhomImourn,
nopleasurecanIfind.
RODULPHO Stopthiseffusionofyourtears,myprincess!

(toAmelia)

YourhopeforCasimir'sgoodsuccess
shouldoverweighthebalanceofyourgrief.

EnterAugusta,behind.
AUGUSTA Soclose!sokind!

'Tispropertoobservethem.

AMELIA Rodulpho!WellIknowyourheartywishes,

butstilltheimmensenessofmypassion
extendstoafargreaterpitch,
thanyoucanthink,orIpress.

AUGUSTA Soveryfond!confoundher,oyegods!
RODULPHO
(toAmelia)

Ohletnotfears,
oranxiouscares,
thefairAmeliadiscontent;
forsoonwemay
expecttheday,
whichshallourmutualjoycement.
(ExeuntRodulphoandAmelia.)

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H.Carey/J.F.Lampe,1732

Actthefirst

Scenethesixth
Augustaalone.
AUGUSTA

Afaithfulfriend!
Achasteandvirtuouswife!
Isthistheloverhassooftenvow'd
eternalconstancytome?
Isthisthewifesogenerallyfam'd
forexemplarygoodness?
Howismybrotherandmyselfabus'd!
Butheshallknow,andI'llrevengetheirinfidelity.
AUGUSTA

Vengeance!Vengeance!swiftovertake'em,
maytheynevermorebeblest!
Maythegodsaswretchedmakethem,
asthey'verender'dmedistress'd.
Rise,yefierceinfernallegions,
fromthedismalshadesbelow!
Bear'emtoyourdarksomeregions,
plunge'emdeepinendlesswoe.
(Exit.)

Scenetheseventh.
Apavilion.
Osmyn,withAttendants.
OSMYN Atlengththesultan'sarms

haveprov'dtriumphant,
andconquestisthepremiumofourcourage.
BringforththeoncerenownedCasimir,
nowOsmyn'scaptive,andthesultan'sslave.
(Casimirentersinchains.)

OSMYN Well,Casimir!youseethefateofwar

isnowdecidedinourfavour;
thesechainsarenottobecompar'd
withtheseveritiesIcaninflict,
unless,uponthetermsIshallpropose,
youpurchaseyourredemption.

CASIMIR Osmyn!Iratherchoosetodie,

thanoninglorioustermstopurchaselife,
fordeathiswelcomeafterthisdefeat.
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Actthefirst

Amelia

OSMYN Christian!'tisvaintohopeimmediatedeath,

forI'llconsummatemyrevenge
byaprotractionofthymisery:
werewetolivetheseriesofanage,
myvengeancethenwouldbethemorecompleat.
OSMYN

Theeaglewithitsprey,
throughaethercutshisway,
retainingfasthistremblingprize;
witharelentlessbreast,
hebearshimtohisnest,
andmakeshimthereasacrifice.
(Exeunt.)

Scenetheeighth
Aroom.
AmeliaandRodulpho.
(Entermessengerwithaletter.)

AMELIA Letmenothearyouspeak,

(tomessenger)

yourlooksatoncedeclare
thatyou'rethebearerofunwelcomenews:
givemetheletter.
(Reads,andswoons,Rodulphorunstoher.)

RODULPHO DearestAmelia!

Whythissuddenchange?

EnterAugusta,aside.
AUGUSTA Averykindembrace!
AMELIA Givemetheletter,'tisnodoubtthelast

thatIshallfrommydearestlordreceive.
AMELIA

Come,sadcompanionofeternalgrief!
Letfloodsoftearstosorrowgiverelief.
I'llreadandkisstheeallthetediousday,
ando'ertheeweeptillsightisweptaway.
(ExitAmelia.)

RODULPHO LovelyAugusta,followyoursadsister,

andtrytocomfortherinthisaffliction.

AUGUSTA No.

Ihavetoomanysorrowsofmyown,
youbestcansoothheranguish:
leavemetomyself.

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H.Carey/J.F.Lampe,1732

Actthefirst

RODULPHO Icannotleaveyouthus.
AUGUSTA Iwillbeleft,thisisnotime

foridlecompliments.

(ExitRodulpho.)

AUGUSTA

Thatallsuccedingtimes
mayshunsuchmonstrouscrimes,
yegods,exertyourpower?
Onallwhothusoffend,
letfierywrathdescend
inanunboundedshower.

Theendofthefirstact.

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Actthesecond

Amelia

ACTTHESECOND
Scenethefirst
SceneOsmyn'spavilion.
Casimir,chain'dattheentry.
EnterRodulphoinaTurkishhabit,withAmelia,likewisedisguised.
RODULPHO Thusfar,dreadprincess!

Ihavewithduefidelityattended,
noristhereanydangerinthisworld,
thro'whichIwouldnotventureforyoursake,
yetstilldeliberateoncemorewithcaution
theperilsofthisundertaking.

AMELIA Nomoreobjections:

I'mpositivetofollowmyintentions,
orjoinwithme,orleavemetomyself.

RODULPHO 'Twasnotonmyaccount,butyours,

thatIwasfirstinduc'dtooffer
thewellintended,illreceiv'dadvice.

AMELIA Rodulpho!Wellyouknowmysadmisfortunes,

I'mjustdistractedwithadeepdespair;
canyounotthenexcuetheharshexpression?

RODULPHO Beholdyonwretchthat'sgrov'lingontheground.
AMELIA Byallmyhopesofhappiness,myhusband!
(AmeliarunningtowardsCasimir,Rodulphowithholdingher.)

RODULPHO Forheaven'ssake,benotprecipitate,

thisisnoseasonfordiscovery.

AMELIA ORodulpho!howcanIbeholdhim!

andbeprohibitedfromspeakingtohim.

RODULPHO Observeyounotapartynearapproaching?

We'reruin'difsuspected.
RODULPHO

Sothegentleturtledove
bemoansherhaplesscaptivelove,
wheninthefowler'ssnare:
shestrivestofreehim,butinvain,
andhoversround,androundagain,
thendrops,kill'dbydespair.
(Exeunt.)

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H.Carey/J.F.Lampe,1732

Actthesecond

Scenethesecond
Agallery.
Augusta,withAttendants.
AUGUSTA What,gone!impossible!itcannotbe:

toleavethepalacethusatdeadofnight:
ohfalseRodulpho!
Traitortofriendship,gratitude,andlove!
ButmuchmorefalseAmelia!
Thefaithlessspouseofadistressedhusband:
thisconductwillimprintagreaterwound,
thanhisdefeatandlossofliberty.
AUGUSTA

ToseesuchwoesdearCasimiroppress,
andslightedbyafaithlesswife,
fillsallmysoulwithexquisitedistress,
andmakesmewearyofthislife.
Butasaninstanceofthecordiallove
Itomyinjur'dbrotherbear,
I'llbyth'immortalpow'rsthatruleabove,
tojusticebringtheguiltypair.
(Exit.)

Scenethethird
Osmyn'spavilion.Casimirattheentry,asbefore.
Osmyn,Rodulpho,andAmelia.
OSMYN Tellme,mymussulman,

(toRodulpho)

bywhathappychance
thoudidstobtainthismatchlessbeauty?

RODULPHO Onanescortforforagenearthecity,

Iseiz'dthislovelychristian,
bymajesticklooksinspir'dwithawe,
Imadeasolemnvowtobringherspotless
tothevictoriousOsmyn.

OSMYN Thispleasinginstanceofthyloyalty

shalle'erbegracioulyremembred,
andthouhaltalwaysbeourchiefattendant.
(ToAmelia.)

Say,beauteouschristian,
whythusinsorrowdroopsthatlovelyhead?
Thouartnotfall'nintobarbarianhands,
norwiltthoufindushideous,aswe'repainted.
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Actthesecond

Amelia

AMELIA

Theyounglingravish'dfromitsnest,
expos'dtodangerstands,
butjoysoonwarmsitspantingbreast,
whenfall'ningentlehands.
Little,alas!didIbelieve
mylifewouldberestor'd
byyourdreadpow'r,whichmostconceive
isnottobeimplor'd.
(ExeuntOsmyn,Amelia,andRodulpho.)

Scenethefourth
Casimiralone.
CASIMIR

Oforadeadlyinstrument,toend
thismostaccursedlife!
SincewhatInowendureispastforbearance.
Nomore;itisresolv'd,I'llsoprovokehim,
thathemustkillme,ifhehasyetremaining
onesparkofmanhoodorresentment.
CASIMIR

Thefurioustigerforawhilekeptunder,
rousesatlast,andburstshischainsasunder;
inspir'dwithdoublerageheflies
uponhisfoes,andselfavengingdies.

Scenethefifth
EnterOsmyn,Amelia,andRodulpho.
OSMYN Joyofmyheart!thelongerIconverse,

themoreI'mravish'danddelighted
withthyincomparablewisdom.
Thouhastasoulmorebeauteousthanthyform,
norcanIlivewithouttheblestenjoyment
ofboththoseexcellentperfections.
OSMYN

Lovelycreature!whileI'mgazing,
ev'ryfeaturemoreamazing,
allmysoulwithrapturescharm.
Ifsuchpleasure'sinbeholding,
ohthetransportofinfolding
somuchbeautyinmyarms!
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Actthesecond
(Goingon,Casimirobstructs'em.)

OSMYN Darestthouobstructmyway?

dispatchhimstraightforhispreumption;
severhisheadfromhisdetestedbody.
(GuardsgotokillCasimir,Ameliainterposes.)

AMELIA Makehereyourway,forsuchasight

theseeyescanneverbear.

(ToOsmyn.)

Isthisyourboastedmildness?
whatfromyourfurymaynotIexpect
bythisexampleofyourcruelty?
AMELIA

Howcanyouvainlythuspretend
tolove,whenyetyouhate?
ForifIshouldbutonceoffend,
Iseemyinstantfate:
pityandlovetoheavenally'd,
engrossthegodlikebreast,
wherepity'sentranceisdeny'd,
therelovecanneverrest.
OSMYN Atyourrequesthelives,

butwe'llnolongerstay
tohearhisinsults,
andrepentourmercy.

AMELIA Yousayyouloveme,letmebeconvinced

youplainlydo,bycondescending
toreinstatethechristianinhisliberty;
forIamshock'datthisbarbarity,
andwhilemysoulwithhorrouroverflows,
Icannotthinkoflove.

OSMYN Whatisitforyoursake

Iwouldnotgrant?
Buthe'smyenemyavow'd;
togivehimfreedomistomakehimable
towaragainstusyetasecondtime;
askanyotherproofofmyaffection,
andmycompliancewaitsonyourrequest.

AMELIA ToowellIamsatisfy'dwithonerepulse,

Ishallbutaskagaintobedenied.

(ToRodulpho.)

WhatshallIdointhisperplexity?
RODULPHO Denyhernotthisinstanceofyourfavour,

itwillremovetheterrourofhermind,
ifyoureleasehim.
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Actthesecond

Amelia

OSMYN Suchistheardourofmypassion,

thatI'llengageheratthedearestrate.
(Toher.)

Toletyousee,mycharmer!
Igiveyourlovethepreference,
aboveallotherviewswhatsoever,
atyourimmediateintercession,
thischristianhashislibertyrestor'd;
Ionlyaskthetributeofyourheart,
asareturnofgratitude.
AMELIA

Whowouldnotwithgladnesssurrender,
ahearttoaloversotender,
whoseactionshispassiondeclare?
Assistme,brightgoddessofbeauty!
andCupid!instructmemyduty,
tomakeallhiswishesmycare.
OSMYN Christian,

(toCasimir)

attherequestofthiscelestialcreature,
youhaveyourlifeandliberty.

CASIMIR Angelofgoodness!

Thatfromthedeepabyssofdesperation
hascall'dmeforthtolifeagain,
oncemoretocometomyAmelia'sarms.

OSMYN Nomore,wewillnothearyourtediousthanks;

yourpresenceonlyaggravatesmywrath;
soflywhileyouhavefreepermission.
CASIMIR

TothearmsofmydearestI'mflying,
whodoubtlesswithsorrowisdying;
despairingtoseemeagain,
abovealltheworldIadoreher;
ohowwillmypresencerestoreher!
andeaseherdisconsolatepain!
(ExitCasimir.)

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H.Carey/J.F.Lampe,1732

Actthesecond

Scenethesixth
Osmyn,Amelia.
OSMYN Now,thedelightfulobjectofmysoul!

Remainsthereanyfavouryetunask'd,
thatyoucanwish,orIconfer?

AMELIA VictoriousOsmyn!

Ineednootherproofofyouraffection.

OSMYN
AMELIA

Toonesofairandkind,
Tosuchagenerousmind,

OSMYN,AMELIA

surpassingalltreasure,
whowouldnotwithpleasure
aheartsincereresign!

OSMYN

Ine'ercanleavethee,
AmeliaI'llne'erdeceivethee,

BOTH

ForeverIamthine.

Theendofthesecondact.

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Actthethird

Amelia

ACTTHETHIRD
Scenethefirst
AroominCasimir'spalace.
Augustaalone.
AUGUSTA

Abrotherinjuredlost!
Asisterfalse!
Atraitordoublysotoheavenandme!
WhydoIyetsurvive?
Welcomeresolution!
Guidethouwithfriendlyforce
mytremblinghand,
andwiththispoignard
fathomallmywoes.
(Offerstokillherself.)

Scenethesecond
Casimirenters.
CASIMIR Why,withuplistedarmsandpointedsteel,

seek'stthou,Augusta,todestroy
alifethat'snotthyown?

AUGUSTA Yegods,itismydear,myinjuredbrother!

OCasimir,thisisadismalmeeting!

CASIMIR Isthismywelcome?

Whatisthemeaningofthisoddreception?

AUGUSTA Askmenot,

toosoon,alas,you'lllearn
thewoefulreason.

CASIMIR Distractmenot,buttellmewhere'sAmelia?
AUGUSTA Wouldsheweredead.
CASIMIR Curs'dbethetongue,thatutterssuchathought;

istherethewretchcanwishAmeliadead?
Andartthoushe?

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Actthethird

AUGUSTA Leavethisunnaturalsister,Casimir,

andseekthylove,thydearAmelia.
(aside)

Unhappyman!Icannotundeceivehim,
lestthatuponsoshockingarelation,
somedirefulresolutionshouldensue.
(Exit.)

CASIMIR

Mycharmer'sveryname
doesallmysoulinflame,
andfillsmyheartwithjoy:
maybothourtroublescease,
andeverlastingpeace
ourfuturetimeemploy.
(Exit.)

Scenethethird
AroominOsmyn'spavilion.
Rodulphoalone.
RODULPHO

Thehappytimewillsoonapproach,
inwhichAugusta'sjealousyshallhave
amostagreeabledetermination;
forwhensheknows,thatthisourquietdeparture
wastoeffectdearCasimir'sredemption,
herlove,nowsmother'dbyunjustsuspicions,
willreassumeagreaterblaze.

EnterAmeliainafright.
AMELIA Saveme,Rodulpho!

Osmynnolongerwilladmitdenial,
Imust,ordie,oryieldtohisembraces.

RODULPHO Amusehimwithpretencesofcompliance,

thenwhenalone,unguardedanddissolved,
he'swhollyinyourpower.Thistohisheart.
(Offersheradagger.)

AMELIA Whatwouldyouhavememurderhim,Rodulpho?
RODULPHO Callnotthatmurder,princess,whichisjustice.
AMELIA Iwillnotpurchaselibertysodear,

soonerI'llkillmyself.

RODULPHO Ithensuppose,youlovethisvilebarbarian.

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Actthethird

Amelia

AMELIA 'Tisfalse,Ihatehimtothelastdegree,

butyet,I'llnotimbruemyhandsinblood,
andbaseassassination.

RODULPHO Ifyou'reafraidtoprosecuteth'attempt,

I'llpiercehimwiththefatalinstrument.

AMELIA Rodulpho,benotrashinyourproposals;

whoknows,butsomebless'dturn,
whenleastexpected,
mayproferlibertyoneasierterms?
AMELIA

Letnotmortalstempttheirfate,
butforheaven'sdecisionwait,
andbyresignationshow
whattoprovidencetheyowe.
Thatjustpower,whichweighsthecrime,
pointsthepunishmentandtime,
sure,tho'latewillinterpose,
andsavetheinjur'dfromtheirfoes.
(Exeunt.)

Scenethefourth
Casimiraloneinanapartment.
CASIMIR

She'sfalse,insufferablyfalse!
Thenfareweltruthandvirtue;
Osmyn,restoremetomychainsagain;
formyAmelia'susagefarexceeds
allthebarbarityyoucouldinvent.
(Goestokillhimself.)

EnterAugusta.
AUGUSTA Why,Casimir,withsacrilegioushands

dostthouattemptwhatlatethoudidstcondemn?

CASIMIR Omydearsister,sharerofmygrief!

Canyouforgivethosepassionateexpressions,
whichlatelycamefrommyunwarytongue?

AUGUSTA ItwastheheightofloveforlostAmelia,

whichcaus'dtheinconsiderateresentment.

CASIMIR Butnow~Ifindyourwishwasjust,

thecauselesspassionmakesmemoreuneasy.

AUGUSTA Nomore,mydearestbrother!

Butletusnowrevengethegrossoffence.

20/26

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H.Carey/J.F.Lampe,1732

Actthethird

CASIMIR Augusta,youradviceIshallaccept,

andputitinimmediateexecution.
CASIMIR

Justheav'nsinmyresentmentsjoin,
thecauseisyoursaswellasmine;
andvengeance,doubtless,isourdue:
oletme,whileIthuscomplain,
seeboththeadulterersonceagain,
tovindicatemyselfandyou.
(Exeunt.)

Scenethefifth
AmeliaandRodulpho
AMELIA Rodulpho,youhaveshewnafriendship,

whichwilladmitofnocomparison.
Obless'd,tho'meandisguise!inwhicharray'd
wehaveescap'dwithoutdiscovery.
(Martialmusickatadistance.)

RODULPHO Madam,we'repasttheextremityofdanger;

beholdapartyofHungarianhorse
thiswayadvancing.

AMELIA Casimir'sowntroopconductedbyhimself,

supportmeheaveninthisexcessofjoy!

RODULPHO Now,now,Amelia,allourpastafflictions

havehereanamplerecompense.

Scenethesixth
EnterOfficer.
OFFICER IseizeyouprisonerstoPrinceCasimir.
AMELIA Standoff,officiousslave;

Iamhiswife.

OFFICER Weknowit,madam,'tisourlord'scommand,

tobringyoubothtocloseconfinement.

AMELIA Sinceheissorash,

(toRodulphoaside)

letusresolvehimnothing;
butstillletthisunjustsuspicionplaguehim,
tillafittimetoproveourinnocence.

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Actthethird

Amelia

EnterCasimir.
CASIMIR Ovilelasciviouspair!

(disguis'd)

RODULPHO OCasimir!
CASIMIR Youhaveframed,nodoubt,

somewellconcertedstory;
buti'mdeaftoeverythingbutvengeance,
takefrommypresencesuchdetestedobjects.
CASIMIR

Ahtraitress,wickedandimpure!
HowcanIpossiblyendure
toseethatodiousface?
Ohthatmyhearthadnotbeenset
ononewhocouldhertruthforget,
tosuffersuchdisgrace.
(Exeunt.)

Scenetheseventh
AnApartmentinOsmyn'spavilion.
Osmynalone.
OSMYN

22/26

It'scertainsheisfled,butwhocouldthink,
thatinsuchbeautifulperfection,
ingratitudecouldbeconceal'd;
'twasforhersakeIcondescended
tograntthechristianlifeandliberty:
somuchhercharmshaveravish'dallmysoul,
thatwiththefairdelusivecreature
areallmyhopesofcomfortfled:
nowallmyconquestsareinsipid,
theworldandallitsrichpossessions
cannotredresstheanguishIconceive,
bythisonewoman'simposition.

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H.Carey/J.F.Lampe,1732

Actthethird
OSMYN

AllmygloriesIresign,
foralifethat'sdivine;
inalonelydesertcell,
I'llinsweetretirementdwell;
unmolestedIintend
allmyfutureyearstospend:
nowadieuyeworldlyjoys,
shortlivedsplendor,courtsandnoise;
thereIonlyhopetofind
solitude,andpeaceofmind.
(Exit.)

Scenetheeighth
Aprison.
Rodulphoalone.
RODULPHO

Towhatahazardouspresumption,
Ameliacarriesherresentment:
butthere'snoreasonIshouldventurelife
uponthecapriceofawoman.
ThislettershalltoCasimirunfold
thewholeofourproceeding.

Scenetheninth
Agreathall.
Ameliagoingtoexecution.
Afteradeadmarch,enterAugusta.
AUGUSTA Nowtraitress!takethejustreward,

yourheinouscrimesdemand;
norshallRodulpholongsurviveyou.

AMELIA OletmeseemyhusbandereIdie.
AUGUSTA Itisinvaintoprayformercynow.
AMELIA Whathasmyobstinacybroughtuponme!

IhavemurderedbothRodulphoandmyself,

AUGUSTA Whyisherdeathdelay'd?

Dispatchherinstantly.

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Actthethird

Amelia

AMELIA SinceImustdie,Imustsubmit.

ButletRodulpho'slifebespar'd,
andtellmyCasimirwearethepersons,
whosav'dhimfromthebarb'rouscruelty,
whichthegrandvisierthreaten'donhim:
tellhim,Idiehischasteandlovingwife,
andthatRodulphoishisfaithfulfriend,
morehewillknow,perhaps,whenit'stoolate.
AMELIA

Ameliawisheswhenshedies
herdearestlordmayclosehereyes,
andheavenmayopenhis:
thenwillhewish,butallinvain,
tohaveherrender'dbackagain,
fromrealmsofendlessbliss.

EnterCasimirsnatchingtheheadman'ssword.
Rodulphofollows.
CASIMIR OliveAmelia!live,thoubestofwives!

Rodulpho!live,thoumostsincereoffriends!
Embracehim,sister!
Who,withmydearAmelia,
effectedmydeliverancefromdeath.
Bless'dbethedaythatIwastakencaptive,
forotherwiseIshouldhaveneverknown,
thatIhadsuchawifeandsuchafriend:
unkindAmelia,nottoundeceiveme!
Howcouldyouperseveretosuchextremity?

AMELIA Unkinderyou,thatcouldbesosuspicious.
CASIMIR Nomorereproaches,

butletonegeneralrejoicing
runthroughourheartsonthisoccasion.
CASIMIR,AMELIA

Letmepressthee,omycharmer,
toaheartthat'sonlythine;
neverpassionsurewaswarmer,
nevermoredidsoulscombine.

24/26

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H.Carey/J.F.Lampe,1732

Actthethird

CASIMIR
(toRodulphoandAmelia)

Adoublenuptialshallresplendtheday,
fortorewardthefriendshipofRodulpho,
IgiveAugustatohislongingarms.
Andaswe'veallbeenequallyconcerned
inavarietyofgreatmisfortunes,
soletusnowunanimouslyshare
thisunexpectedintervalofmirth.
OmyAmelia,patterntothysex!
Thisactofthineconvey'dtolatestages,
withhonourandapplause
shallspreadthyfame,
andthousands,yetunborn,reverethyname.
CHORUS

Whendangersinnocenceinvade,
justheav'nvouchsafesatimelyaid;
andmakeswithbrighterlustreshine
virtuesconceal'dinsoulsdivine.

Finis.

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25/26

Index

Amelia

INDEX
DramatisPersonae..................................3
Theargument..........................................4
Actthefirst.............................................5
Scenethefirst.....................................5
Scenethesecond................................5
Scenethethird....................................6
Scenethefourth.................................7
Scenethefifth....................................8
Scenethesixth...................................9
Scenetheseventh...............................9
Scenetheeighth...............................10
Actthesecond.......................................12
Scenethefirst...................................12
Scenethesecond..............................13

26/26

Scenethethird..................................13
Scenethefourth...............................14
Scenethefifth..................................14
Scenethesixth.................................17
Actthethird..........................................18
Scenethefirst...................................18
Scenethesecond..............................18
Scenethethird..................................19
Scenethefourth...............................20
Scenethefifth..................................21
Scenethesixth.................................21
Scenetheseventh.............................22
Scenetheeighth...............................23
Scenetheninth.................................23

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