Lorche pifferi e tamburi

English Libretto or Translation:

Chorus and Verses

The sun rises. A roll of drums and a blare of trumpets give the signal for reveille. The scene gradually becomes more animated. Spanish and Italian soldiers of all branches of the army come out of their tents, cleaning rifles, swords, uniforms, etc. Military cadets play at dice on the drums. Vivandières sell drinks, fruit, bread, etc. From the top of a booth, Preziosilla is telling fortunes. - An extremely lively scene.

VIVANDIERES and SOLDIERS
When fifes and drums
seem to deafen the earth
we are happy, for to the soldier
war is life and joy.

OTHER SOLDIERS
coming out of the tents and happily hurrying to join the others
A gay, adventurous life
for one who cares not for tomorrow
or yesterday, and loves to concentrate
his thoughts only on today.

VIVANDIERES and SOLDIERS
When fifes and drums, etc.

PREZIOSILLA
to the women
Come to the fortune‑teller,
who has come from afar,
and can interpret for you
the mysterious future.
to the soldiers
Come, gather round her,
show her your hands!
You will learn if your sweethearts
are remaining true to you.
Ah!

VIVANDIERES
Go to the fortune-teller,
give her your hands;
you will learn if your fair ones
are remaining true to you.

SOLDIERS
Let us go to the fortune-teller
and show her our hands;
we can hear if our fair ones
are remaining true to us.

PREZIOSILLA
He who longs for paradise
must burn with valour
and prepare to drive out
the barbarous invader
Come, come, come,
you shall hear me predict
what prize you will win
from your fighting.
Ah!

VIVANDIERES
Go on, go on, go on,
you shall hear her predict
what prize you will win
from your fighting.

SOLDIERS
Come on, come on, come on,
we will hear her predict
what prize we shall win
from our fighting.

PREZIOSILLA
Come on!