Ah, son perduto!

English Libretto or Translation:

CHERUBINO
Ah, I'm lost!

SUSANNA
Heavens ...

SUSANNA
The Count!
She tries to conceal Cherubino.
Woe is me!

COUNT
entering
Susanna, you seem to be
Agitated and confused.

SUSANNA
My lord ... pray excuse me
But ... suppose someone caught us ...
I beg you to leave.

COUNT
One moment and I'll leave you.
Listen.

He seats himself in the easy?chair and takes Susanna's hand, which she withdraws with an effort.

SUSANNA
I mustn't listen.

COUNT
Just two words. You know
That the king has appointed me
Ambassador in London: I planned
To take Figaro with me ...

SUSANNA
My lord, if you'd allow me ...

COUNT
rising
Speak, speak, my dear, and with that right
Which today you may assume of me as long as you live,
tenderly, trying to take her hand again
Ask, require, demand.

SUSANNA
Let me go, my lord; I claim no right,
Nor wish, nor intend to ...
I'm so unhappy!

COUNT
But no, Susanna, I want to make you happy!
You well know how much I love you:
Basilio has already told you; now listen.
If you'll give me a few minutes
In the garden at dusk ...
For that favour, ah, I'd pay ...

BASILIO
off?stage
He's just gone out.

COUNT
Who spoke?

SUSANNA
Oh, heavens!

COUNT
Go out, and see no one comes in.

SUSANNA
I’m to leave you here alone?

BASILIO
as before
He'll be with my lady: I'll go and look for him.

COUNT
indicating the easy?chair
I'll get behind here.

SUSANNA
Do not hide there.

COUNT
Hush, and get rid of him.

The count goes to hide behind the chair: Susanna interposes herself between the page and him. The Count pushes her gently aside. She withdraws; the page steals in front of the chair and curls up inside it. Susanna covers him with the dress.

SUSANNA
Alas! What are you doing?


SCENE SEVEN

BASILIO
entering
Susanna, Heaven be with you:
Have you by any chance seen the Count?

SUSANNA
What should the Count be doing here
With me? Please go away.

BASILIO
Just a moment, listen;
Figaro's looking for him.

SUSANNA
aside
Oh heaven!
aloud
He's looking for the one
Who, after you, hates him most.

COUNT
aside
We'll see how I am served.

BASILIO
I've never heard the proposition
That one who loves the wife must hate the husband.
To tell you how the Count loves you ...

SUSANNA
Begone, base agent
for another's lust:
I don't need
Your propositions,
Your Count and his love ...

BASILIO
There's no harm done: everyone
To his own taste: I'd have thought
That for a lover you'd prefer,
Like any other woman,
A generous, prudent, and discreet nobleman
To a youngster, a page?boy ...

SUSANNA
To Cherubino?

BASILIO
To Cherubino, that amorous cherub
Who at daybreak this morning
Was prowling about here
Trying to get in ...

SUSANNA
Slanderer!
It's an invention!

BASILIO
To you, anyone who keeps his eyes open
Is a slanderer. And that little song?
Tell me in confidence: I'm a friend
and won't let it go any further;
Was it for you, or for my lady ...

SUSANNA
bewildered, aside
Who on earth told him about that?

BASILIO
By the way, my daughter,
It would be wise to warn him:
At table he gazes at her so often
And with such avidity,
That if the Count noticed ... On that point,
You know, he's ferocious.

SUSANNA
You wretch!
Why do you go around
Spreading such lies?

BASILIO
I? You wrong me: I sell only what I buy.
I don't add a jot
To what everyone is saying.

COUNT
Emerging from his hiding?place
Really, what is everyone saying?

BASILIO
Very pretty!

SUSANNA
Oh heaven!