Leporello Signore

English Libretto or Translation:

DON GIOVANNI
Leporello!

LEPORELLO
I hear, sir.

DON GIOVANNI
gives him money
Come here, this will make peace between us.

LEPORELLO
What, sir?

DON GIOVANNI
Four gold pieces.

LEPORELLO
Oh, now listen,
This is the last time
I'll take such compensation,
You'll find yourself mistaken,
If you think to soothe a man of my mettle
Like those poor women, by coin and empty phrases.

DON GIOVANNI
There's enough on that score!
Say, are You ready now to do me a small service?

LEPORELLO
So you give up the women.

DON GIOVANNI
Give up the women! Mad man,
They're my first necessity of life,
More than the bread that feeds me,
Or the air I am breathing.

LEPORELLO
Is't your intention they shall all be deceiv'd thus?

DON GIOVANNI
For love I do it.
Who to one is devoted,
To the rest must be faithless;
Mine is a heart
Of such infinite affection,
There is not one I love not;
And yet the women, dear unreas'ning creatures,
My happy disposition call deceiving.

LEPORELLO
Indeed I cannot follow such a huge disposition
For deeds of kindness,
But what is your small service?

DON GIOVANNI
Listen! Say, have you seen the pretty damsel
Of Donna Elvira?

LEPORELLO
Not I.

DON GIOVANNI
It is your loss then not to see what is charming,
My sober Leporello,
With her this instant I would fain try my fortune,
And it has struck me, as evening is upon us,
'tWould make the jest both new and more diverting,
If I put on thy cloak in this adventure.

LEPORELLO
I can see no occasion
For this strange masquerading.

DON GIOVANNI
Alas, a gentleman is apt
To be suspected by people of her station.
takes off his cloak
Give it me, make haste!

LEPORELLO
Oh, Sir, for sev'ral reasons...

DON GIOVANNI
Delay me not! Delays in love are treasons!
They exchange cloaks.