E intanto giacche non si stanca

English Libretto or Translation:

IAGO
Wait for her;
(leading Cassio to the first pillar of the colonnade)
and meanwhile, seeing that you never tire
in the recital of mad and merry tales,
tell me a little about her whom you love.

CASSIO
Of whom?

IAGO
Of Bianca.

OTHELLO (aside)
He smiles!

CASSIO
What nonsense!

IAGO
Her charming eye has you in thrall.

CASSIO
You make me laugh.

IAGO
He laughs who wins.

CASSIO (laughing)
In such exchanges, truly,
he wins who laughs! Ah, ah!

IAGO (laughing)
Ah, ah!

OTHELLO (on the terrace)
The villain mocks me,
his scorn is mortal to me.
Oh God, restrain the torment in my heart!...

CASSIO
I am already sated with kisses and reproaches.

IAGO
You make me laugh!

CASSIO
O fleeting love!

IAGO
Another beauty beckons with her charms.
Have I hit the mark?

CASSIO
Ah, ah!

IAGO
Ah, ah!

OTHELLO (as before)
The villain mocks me,
his scorn is mortal to me.
Oh God, restrain the torment in my heart!

CASSIO
You have hit the mark.
Yes, I confess it. Listen.

IAGO
Speak softly. I’am listening.
(Iago leads Cassio to a place further away from Othello).

CASSIO
Iago, you know my lodging...
(The words are lost.)

OTHELLO
(coming cautiously a little nearer to overhear the conversation)
Now he recounts the manner,
the place and time...

CASSIO
... by an unknown hand...
(The words are lost again.)

OTHELLO
I cannot hear the words ...
alas!... and I would hear them!
To what am I come!

CASSIO
... a fine embroidered handkerchief.

IAGO
’Tis strange! ’Tis strange!

OTHELLO
Iago beckons me.
(emerging with caution and hiding behind the pillars)

IAGO
By an unknown hand? Nonsense!

CASSIO
Truly.
(Iago signs to him to speak softly.)

How I long to know who it might be.

IAGO
(aside, glancing quickly towards Othello)
Othello is looking.
(to Cassio)
You have it with you?

CASSIO
(taking Desdemona’s handkerchief from his doublet)
Look.

IAGO (taking the handkerchief)
What a miracle!
(aside)
Othello listens. He approaches
with wary steps.
(to Cassio, playfully)
Fine cavalier, in your abode
angels lose their haloes and their veils.
(putting his hands behind his back so that Othello can
see the handkerchief)

OTHELLO
(looking closely at the handkerchief behind Iago’s back,
remaining hidden behind the pillar)
’Tis the one! ’Tis the one!
Destruction and death!

IAGO (aside)
Othello is listening.

OTHELLO
All is gone, love and grieving both.
Nothing more can touch my heart.