Messere son lieto di vedervi

English Libretto or Translation:

IAGO (to Lodovico)
Signor, I am very glad to see you.

LODOVICO
Iago, what’s the news?...
I do not see Cassio amongst you.

IAGO
Othello is angered with him.

DESDEMONA
I think he will be restored to favour.

OTHELLO
(continuing to read; rapidly aside to Desdemona)
Are you sure of that?

DESDEMONA
My lord?

LODOVICO
He reads, and speaks not to you.

IAGO
Perhaps he will be restored to favour.

DESDEMONA
Iago, I hope so;
you know what real affection
I have for Cassio...

OTHELLO
(still reading, but speaking feverishly under his breath to
Desdemona)
Restrain your babbling tongue...


DESDEMONA
Forgive me, my lord...

OTHELLO (flinging himself at Desdemona)
Devil, be silent!

LODOVICO
(preventing Othello from striking Desdemona)
Stop!

MEN AND WOMEN
Oh horror! Oh horror!

LODOVICO
I dare not believe
that my eyes have truly seen.

OTHELLO (to the herald)
Send Cassio to me!
(The herald leaves.)

IAGO (aside to Othello)
What would you do?

OTHELLO (aside to Iago)
Watch her as he enters.

MEN AND WOMEN
Ah! Unhappy bride!

LODOVICO
(approaching Iago and speaking to him aside)
Is this then the hero?
Is this the warrior
of such noble daring?

IAGO (to Lodovico, shrugging his shoulders)
He’s that he is.

LODOVICO
Explain what you mean.

IAGO
It is better to hold one’s tongue.

OTHELLO (who has been watching the door fixedly)
Here he is! ’Tis he!
(Cassio appears.)