Come, master, observe the host of mankind

Libretto/Lyrics/Text/Testo:

NICK
I was never saner.
Come, master,
observe the host of mankind.
How are they? wretched.
Why? because they are not free.
Why? because the giddy multitude are driven
by the unpredictable "Must" of their pleasures.
And the sober few are bound
by the inflexible "Ought"
of their duty.
Between which slaveries
there is nothing to choose.
Would you be happy?
then learn to act freely.
Would you act freely?
then learn to ignore those twin tyrants
of appetite and conscience.
Therefore, I counsel you, master:
Take Baba the Turk to wife.
Consider her picture once more,
and, as you do so,
reflect upon my words.

Aria

In youth the panting slave
pursues the fair evasive dame.
Then, caught in colder fetters,
woos wealth, office, or a name.
Till, old, dishonoured,
sick, downcast
and failing in his wits,
in virtue's narrow cell at last
the withered bondsman sits.
That man alone his fate fulfills.
For he alone, for he alone is free
who chooses what to will,
and wills his choice as destiny.
No eye his future can foretell,
no law his past explain,
whom neither passion
may compel,
nor reason can restrain.
Well?