Quante buffonerie!

English Libretto or Translation:

COUNTESS
This is too silly!

SUSANNA
I'm almost inclined
To bejealous myself.
taking Cherubino by the chin
You little scamp,
You've no right to look so pretty!

COUNTESS
No more of this childishness!
Now pull these sleeves up
Above the elbow,
Then the dress will go on
More comfortably.

SUSANNA
doing so
There!

COUNTESS
Still higher,
Like that ...
She discovers a ribbon tied round his arm.
What's this ribbon?

SUSANNA
That's the one he stole from me.

COUNTESS
untying the ribbon
And this blood?

CHERUBINO
Blood? ... I don't know how ...
I slipped a little while ago
And grazed myself against a stone
So I tied up the scratch with this ribbon.

SUSANNA
Let's see: it's nothing much. Look!
His arm's whiter than mine! Like a girl's ...

COUNTESS
Are you still chattering?
Go into my room, and fetch a piece
Of plaster which is on my desk.
Exit Susanna. The Countess looks hard at the kneeling Cherubino.
As for this ribbon ... I'd say ...
examining the ribbon
By the colour ...
I'm sorry to have lost it ...

SUSANNA
re-entering with the plaster and scissors
Here you are.
Now what to tie his arm with?

COUNTESS
Bring another ribbon
Along with my dress.

Exit Susanna by the rear door, taking with her Cherubino's mantle.

CHERUBINO
Ah! that one would have healed me faster.

COUNTESS
Why? This one is better.

CHERUBINO
But when a ribbon
Has bound the hair, or touched the skin
Of some ...

COUNTESS
interrupting him
... other person,
It's good for wounds, is that it?
That's a virtue I was not aware of!

CHERUBINO
My lady mocks me when I must leave her.

COUNTESS
Poor boy, it's hard!

CHERUBINO
I'm so unhappy!

COUNTESS
What, crying?

CHERUBINO
Oh heaven! would that I could die now!
Perhaps near the final moment
These lips would dare ...

COUNTESS
Be sensible: what is this nonsense?
She wipes his eyes with her handkerchief. A knock at the door is heard.
Who's knocking at the door?

COUNT
outside the door
Why is this locked?

COUNTESS
My husband! Oh heavens! I'm lost!
to Cherubino
You here without a coat on!
In this state; he'll have had that letter ...
And he's so jealous!

COUNT
What is delaying you?

COUNTESS
I'm alone ... yes, all alone.

COUNT
To whom were you talking?

COUNTESS
To you ... of course, to you.

CHERUBINO
After what's happened, he'll be furious ...
I don't know what to do!

Cherubino runs into the dressing-room and locks the door; the Countess takes the key.

COUNTESS
Heaven protect me in this danger!

She hurries to open the door to the Count.