E pur io torno qui qual linea

E pure torno qui, qual linea al centro, etc., excerpt no.2. Act 1, Scene 1, from L'Incoronazione di Poppea (1642) by Claudio Monteverdi (1567-1643). Ottone, sung by Paul Esswood, countertenor.

And thus, I return here, like the line to the center, the fire
to the sun, and like the brook to the sea;
and even though no light is visible,
yet I know my sun dwells within.

[Ritornello]
Dear. beloved house
Home of my life and love,
To you I hasten, my heart greets you.

[Ritornello]
Open a window, Poppea,
and with your beautiful face, wherein my fate rests,
O my soul, anticipate the beam light of day!

[Ritornello]
Show yourself, and with the blissful opening
or your eyes, disperse the mist
and shadow of the skies.

[Ritornello]
Dreams, bear in flight
in sweet fantasy upon your wings
these sighs to my beloved.
But what do I see, unhappy one?
These are not ghosts or nocturnal phantoms,
but Nero's servants;
ah, thus my plaints fall
on the unfeeling winds.
I am adoring these marble columns,
I weep and woo a balcony,
and Nero slumbers in Poppea's arms.
He brought these guards
to protect himself against conspirators.
O, uncertain rest of rulers,
these guards are fast asleep.
Ah, faithless Poppea,
are these the promises and vows
which softened my heart?
Is this fidelity, O God?
I am still the same Ottone
who followed you,
yearned for you,
served you,
adored you,
who, to move your heart to pity,
adorned with pearl-like tears his pleading
and sacrificed his pride in vows to you.
Finally you promised me
that I would embrace you,
and on your lovely breast
fulfill my happiness in love.
I sowed the seed and well-found hope.
[end of excerpt, following phrase not included in the clip]
(But winds and heaven changed to my misfortune.
The tempest destroyed my harvest.)