Cieli che veggo

English Libretto or Translation:

Recitative
IDOMENEO
Heavens! What do I see? Here, alas, is the unfortunate
victim approaching ... Must my hands
be the instruments? ... Accursed hands!
Savage, unjust gods! Detestable altars!


TENTH SCENE
Idamante, Idomeneo at a distance

IDAMANTE
Lonely shores, and you rugged cliffs,
bear witness to my sorrow and in kindness
give your shelter
to an agitated heart …
How your remote horror accords with the harshness of
my fate! …
I see amid the remnants
of wrecked ships an unknown warrior
on that beach … I would hear him,
comfort him, and change his anguish to gladness.
He approaches and addresses Idomeneo
Put aside your fear, o warrior, whoever you are;
here ready to aid you is one
who in this land has power to do so.

IDOMENEO
aside
The more I look at him,
the more I am consumed with grief.
to Idamante
I will be indebted to you
for the rest of my days. What reward
would you have of me?

IDAMANTE
The reward in my heart will be
the satisfaction of having
saved and protected you. Ah, my friend,
my own troubles have taught me all too well
to sympathise with those of others.

IDOMENEO
aside
Such a voice, such compassion pierces my heart!
to Idamante
Are you unhappy? What are you saying?
Are you misfortunes really so many?

IDAMANTE
The dearest object of my love,
o heavens,
the hero Idomeneo
lies dead in these depths.
But you sigh and weep.
Do you know Idomeneo?

IDOMENEO
No man is more
to be pitied than he; none can alleviate
his harsh fate.

IDAMANTE
What are you saying?
Is he still alive?
aside
Ye gods, my hopes return.
to Idomeneo
Ah tell me, my friend, tell me,
where is he? Where is that kind face
which shall restore my life?

IDOMENEO
But whence comes it,
that for him you nurture
such loving tenderness?

IDAMANTE
with emphasis
Ah, he is the father ...

IDOMENEO
interrupting impatiently
O God!
Speak, whose father is he?

IDAMANTE
wearily
He is my father!

IDOMENEO
to himself
Most pitiless gods!

IDAMANTE
Do you mourn with me
my father's fate?

IDOMENEO
sadly
My son! ...

IDAMANTE
joyfully
Ah, father! ... O gods,
where am I? ... What delight! ...
Beloved father, let me come to your breast ...
He tries to embrace him
and embrace ...
His father withdraws in agitation
Alas! Why do you spurn me?
You fly from me in despair ... but where?

IDOMENEO
Do not follow me! I forbid it!
It would have been better for you not to have
seen me here; beware of seeing me again!
He hurries away.