Deh! non voler costringere

English Libretto or Translation:

SMEATON:
(Oh! love, inspire me.)

(All sit. The courtiers arrange themselves here and there in groups. A harp is given to Smeton. He plays for a while then sings the following ballad.)

Ah! Do not desire to constrain
your face to feigned joy:
your sorrow is as lovely
as your smile.
Thus is the dawn still beautiful
when girded with clouds,
the melancholy moon
is lovely in its pallor.

(Anna becomes more thoughtful.
Smeton continues in a more animated voice)

Who beholds you thus pensive and silent, would believe you
to be an innocent maiden who sighs for her first love:
and forgetting the crown which covers your head, will sigh
with you, and he would feel that he was that first love.

ANNA:
(rises, moved)

Cease…Alas! Cease…

SMEATON:
My Queen! Oh heavens!

CHORUS:
(She is troubled, oppressed.)