Invano Alvaro ti celasti al mondo

English Libretto or Translation:

Scena and Duet

CARLOS
In vain, Alvaro, have you concealed yourself
from the world, and hypocritically made
a monk's habit a shield for your baseness.
Hatred and the thirst for revenge have pointed me
the way to the monastery where you are hiding.
There will be no one here to intervene between us.
Blood, your blood alone, can wash away
the outrage that stained my honour;
and I will spill it all, I swear to God!

Don Alvaro enters in a monk's habit.

ALVARO
Brother …

CARLOS
Know who I am!

ALVARO
Don Carlos! You - alive!

CARLOS
For five years I have searched for you;
at last I've found you.
With blood alone can the disgrace
and the crime be wiped out.
That I should punish you
is written in the book of fate.

Once you were brave;
now, as a monk, you have no sword …
I must spill your blood:
choose, for I have brought two …

ALVARO
Once I lived in the world, so I understand;
now this robe, this retreat,
show that I am making amends for my misdeeds,
and that my heart is penitent.
Leave me!

CARLOS
Neither that monk's habit
nor this solitary place
can protect you, coward!

ALVARO
starting forward
Coward! You dare to say …
restraining himself
Ah, no! Help me, Lord!
to Don Carlos
Let threats and violent words
be carried away by the winds.
Forgive me; have pity,
brother, have pity!
Why so insult one
who was only unfortunate?
Come, let us bow before fate;
brother, have pity!

CARLOS
You sully such a word.
Ah! You left to me a sister
who, betrayed, you abandoned
to infamy and dishonour.

ALVARO
No, she was not dishonoured -
I swear it to you as a priest.
On earth, I adored her
as one can love in heaven.
I love her still; if she still loves me,
my heart asks for nothing more.

CARLOS
My rage is not to be placated
by lying and cowardly words;
take up a sword, traitor,
and do battle with me!

ALVARO
If remorse and tears
no longer plead for me,
I will do what no one has ever seen me do -
throw myself at your feet!

He does so.

CARLOS
Ah, you have proved the stain
on your escutcheon by this act.

ALVARO
leaping to his feet in fury
It shines brighter than a jewel.

CARLOS
It is tinted with your half-breed's blood.

ALVARO
unable to restrain himself
You lie in your throat!
Give me a sword, a sword - lead on!

He snatches one from his hand.

CARLOS
At last!

setting out

ALVARO
recovering himself
No - the devil
shall not triumph. Go, leave me.

He throws down his sword.

CARLOS
So you mock me?

ALVARO
Go.

CARLOS
If now, coward, you lack courage
to measure swords with me,
I condemn you to dishonour.

He slaps his face.

ALVARO
in a fury
Ah, now you have sealed your fate!
seizing the sword again
Death!
Ah! death, come forth to death! Let us go!

CARLOS
Death … death to both!
Ah! death, come forth to death! Let us go!

They rush off, left.