(from Pucinni's "Tosca")

[The painter Cavaradossi has been sentenced to death for helping to hide an escaped political prisoner. As he awaits his fate, he sings of the sweet memories of his beloved Tosca and his dashed dreams.]

E lucevan le stelle,
e olezzava le terra
stridea l'uscio dell'orto
e un passo sfiorava la rena.
Entrava ella, fragrante,
mi cadea fra le braccia.
Oh! dolci baci, o languide carezze,
mentr'io fremente
le belle forme discogliea dai veli!
Svani per sempre il sogno mio d'amore...
L'ora e fuggita
e muoio disperato!
E non ho amato mai tanto la vita!


[Translation:]

How The Stars Seemed To Shimmer

How the stars seem to shimmer,
the sweet scents of the garden,
how the creaking gate whispered,
and a footstep skimmed over the sand,
how she then entered, so fragrant,
and then fell into my two arms!
Ah sweetest of kiss, languorous caresses,
While I stood trembling,
searching her features concealed by her mantle.
My dreams of pure love, forgotten forever!
All of it's gone now!
I die hopeless, despairing,
And never before have I loved like this!