Act I: Un dì felice eterea-Georges Pretre

ALFREDO For more than a year. One happy day You flashed lightly into my life; And since then I lived In tremulous possession Of that unspoken love, The pulse of the whole world, Mysterious, unattainable, The torment and delight of my heart. VIOLETTA If that is true, then leave me. Friendship is all I can offer you. I don’t know how to love, I couldn’t feel so great an emotion. I’m being honest with you – sincere… You should look for someone else, Then you wouldn’t find it hard To forget me. GASTON (appearing at the centre doorway) Well now! What he devil are you up to? VIOLETTA We are taking nonsense. GASTON Ha, ha! Splendid! Go on! VIOLETTA (to Alfredo)So no more about love. Is that a promise? ALFREDO I’ll do as you say, I’ll go. (He turns away.) VIOLETTA So its come to that already! (She takes a flower from her corsage.) Take this flower. ALFREDO Why? VIOLETTA So that you can bring it back to me. ALFREDO (turning back) When? VIOLETTA When it’s withered. ALFREDO You mean…. tomorrow? VIOLETTA Very well, tomorrow. ALFREDO (rapturously taking the flower) I’m happy.. Oh, so happy! VIOLETTA Do you still say you love me? ALFREDO (about to go) How much, how much I love you! I’m happy.. oh, so happy VIOLETTA You’re going? ALFREDO (coming back to kiss her hand) I’ll go now. VIOLETTA Good-bye then. ALFREDO I ask for nothing more. Good-bye. (He goes out.) (All others come in from the ballroom flushed with dancing.) ALL The dawn is breaking in the sky And we must take our leave; Thank you, dear lady For such a splendid party. The town is still a-revelling; Pleasure rolls on its way. In slumber we’ll store up again The zest for further joys. (They got out, right.)