Era piu calmo

English Libretto or Translation:

ACT FOUR

Desdemona’s bedroom. A bed, a prie-dieu, a table, a
mirror and some chairs. A lighted lamp hangs before
the image of the Madonna above the prie-dieu. On the
right is a door. It is night.
(Desdemona, with the assistance of Emilia, is preparing
for bed.)

EMILIA
Was he calmer?

DESDEMONA
He seemed so to me.
He commanded me to go to bed
and there await him.
Emilia, I pray you,
lay upon my bed
my white wedding nightgown.
(Emilia does so.)
Listen.
If I should die before you,
lay me to rest in one of those veils.

EMILIA
Put such thoughts from you.