Quando narravi l'esule tua vita

English Libretto or Translation:

DESDEMONA
My splendid warrior! What anguish,
what deep sighs and high hopes
have strewn the path to our glad union!
Oh, how sweet to murmur thus together!
Do you remember?
You used to tell me of your life in exile,
of violent deeds and suffering long endured,
and I would listen, transported by the tales
that terrified, but thrilled my heart as well.

OTHELLO
I would describe the clash of arms, the fight
and violent thrust toward the fatal breach,
the assault, when hands, like grisly tendrils,
clung to bastions amid the hissing darts.

DESDEMONA
Then you would lead me to the glaring desert,
to scorching sands, the country of your birth;
and then you would relate your sufferings,
tell me of chains and slavery’s agony.

OTHELLO
Softened was your lovely face by tears,
your lips by sighs, when I my story told;
upon my darkness shone a radiance,
heaven and all the stars in benediction!

DESDEMONA
And I descried upon your dusky temples
genius’ ethereal beauty shining there.

OTHELLO
You loved me for the dangers I had passed,
and I loved you that you did pity them.

DESDEMONA
I loved you for the dangers you had passed,
and you loved me that I did pity them.

OTHELLO
And you loved me...

DESDEMONA
And you loved me...

OTHELLO
... and I loved you...
... that you did pity them.

DESDEMONA
... that I did pity them.