E buona la mia Tosca

English Libretto or Translation:

A kiss and Tosca hurries away. Cavaradossi listens to her withdrawing footsteps, then carefully opens the door half-way and peers out. Seeing that all is clear, he runs to the Chapel, and Angelotti at once appears from behind the gate.

CAVARADOSSI
opening the gate for Angelotti, who has naturally heard the foregoing dialogue
She is good my Tosca, but, as she trusts
Her confessor, she hides nothing.
So I must say nothing. It is wiser so.

ANGELOTTI
Are we alone?

CAVARADOSSI
Yes, What is your plan?

ANGELOTTI
As things stand now, either to flee the State
Or stay in hiding in Rome. My sister …

CAVARADOSSI
Attavanti?

ANGELOTTI
Yes, she hid some women's clothes
Under the altar there,
A dress, a veil, a fan. As soon as it gets dark
I'll put these garments on …

CAVARADOSSI
Now I understand!
That prudent behaviour
And that fervent prayer
In so young and beautitul a woman
Had made me suspect
Some secret love! …
It was the love of a sister!

ANGELOTTI
She has dared all
To save me from that scoundrel Scarpia!

CAVARADOSSI
Scarpia? That licentious bigot who exploits
The uses of religion as refinements
For his libertine lust, and makes
Both the confessor and the hangman
The servant of his wantonness!
I'll save you, should it cost my life!
But delaying until nightfall is not safe.

ANGELOTTI
I fear the sunlight.

CAVARADOSSI
The Chapel gives on a vegetable garden:
Beyond that is a canefield
That winds along through meadows to my villa.

ANGELOTTI
Yes, I know.

CAVARADOSSI
Here is the key. Before evening
I shall join you there. Take
The woman's costume with you.

ANGELOTTI
bundling together the clothes from under the altar
Should I put them on?

CAVARADOSSI
You needn't now, the path's deserted.

ANGELOTTI
about to go
Good-bye!

CAVARADOSSI
running towards him
If there's sign of danger, go
To the garden well. There's water at the bottom,
But half-way down, a little passage
Leads to a dark room. It's a sure,
Impenetrable hiding place!

The report of a cannon. The two men look at each other in alarm.

ANGELOTTI
The cannon of the castle!

CAVARADOSSI
They've discovered your escape! Now Scarpia
Lets loose his pack of spies!

ANGELOTTI
Good-bye!

CAVARADOSSI
with sudden resolve
I will come with you. We must be on guard!

ANGELOTTI
Someone's coming!

CAVARADOSSI
If we're attacked we fight!

They leave quickly by the Chapel. Enter the Sacristan running, hustling and shouting.