Original subtitles

I've nurtured this woman since she was a child.

Spoiled her with kindness as if she were my own daughter.

THE MAID AS MISTRESS

La Serva Padrona Comic intermezzo in two acts.

SERPINA, Soprano

Maid, pretty, independent, educated by Uberto.

UBERTO, Bass A Middle-aged Bachelor...

the master of Serpina and Vespone.

Vespone, Uberto's valet is mute.

A good, spiritual man go

intermezzo I Naples around 1730.

Uberto is irritated and impatient because he has had to wait for...

Serpina to bring him a cup of hot chocolate.

Vesponne, under Uberto's order, follows Serpina

who wants to be treated as mistress.

Trying to put and end to such pretensions Uberto get nervous

and almost trashes Serpina.

After the reprimand, Serpina, to com move the master

pretends to be a victim go

Full of malice, uses all the talent

to calm Uberto.

Beeing up to Serpina's tricks go go go

Uberto orders Vespone to find him a wife.

Serpina, tricky, offers herself as the best marriage option.

To wait for a maid...

who never comes...

To lie in bed...

and not sleep...

to serve well...

and never please...

these three things will be the death of me

To wait for a maid, to lie in bed to serve well...

who never comes, and not sleep and never please...

these three things will be the death of me

What a wretched situation!

Three hours I've been waiting...

and my maid doesn't have the courtesy to bring me my hot chocolate.

I'll have to fetch it myself!!

What an infernal problem.

I now see that all my goodwill towards her

is the cause of my unhappiness.

Serpina!

She'll come tomorrow.

And you, what are you doing?

What are you standing about for like a dummy?

What? What did you say? Damn fool!

Get out of here

and go and see what she's up to!

What a life! I've nurtured this woman since she was a child.

Spoiled her with kindness as if she were my own daughter.

Now her ladyship is so full of herself. So arrogant.

Instead of a maid I have a duchess.

I must assume an attitude.

And where is that full?

Are you finished? I don't deserve to be treated this way?

I'm not feeling well. I've told you.

Bravo.

And don't come back. My Lord may be in a hurry' but I'm not. Got it.

Bravíssima.

Again? Now you've really tried my patience.

Do you want an even bigger slapping?

Who do you think you are? Hey Serpina. Stop that

Allow me to teach this fool a few manners

But in front of your master?

Just because I'm a servant...

does it mean I can be insulted and abused?

No Sir

I want to be respected...

as if I were a mistress...

a nobleman's wife...

more than mistress!

What's wrong your Highness.

-Who did you wrong? -This impertinent scallywag.

-Calm down. -...he came up to me...

I told you to calm down -...and in the most improper way...

-Get a grip of yourself, damn you! -You'll pay forth is.

-I sent him to fetch you. -Why?

Why? Didn't I ask for some hot chocolate?

Yes, so what?

Must I sell my soul to the devil, before someone brings it to me?

And when would you like to have it?

When? Now, of course.

At this time? Just when you're about to have dinner.

-What? -What?

I'm not making any chocolate at all.

You will give up drinking it for your own profit

and you should calm down

Vespone, now that I've had my chocolate' say to me:

"You're very good health sir"

What are your laughing about idiot?

At me, because I have the patience of a mule.

But I won't be a mule. Forget about calmness...

I'm going to break free from these fetters.

We're always disagreeing...

if I say "here" you say "there"... if I say "above' you say "below"...

if I say "yes" you say "no".

Enough is enough.

This must stop.

What do you imagine?

That I'll die looking after myself. No Sir' not I.

And you will always lament...

your fate and that you received what you deserved...

What are you saying? That it's not like this?

No or Yes?

In the final analysis, for looking after you and your interests...

I am repaid with insults.

Poor little thing, do you hear her?

For looking after my master...

I am maltreated.

-That's unfair. -You mock me

-It's not nice. -You could at least...

feel some remorse for how...

you treat and speak to me.

Come, come! That's the lawyer in you speaking.

You're joking and starting to irritate me

For heaven's sake don't lose your temper. You're right.

Have you lost your tongue?

Go and bring my hat, my sword and my stick. I want to go out.

Look at you! You can't think of anything good to do...

and yet you blame Serpina for lack of wisdom

Mind your own business

You can't go out now, it's noon.

Where do you want to go?

Go and get undressed.

Who do you think you are?

Stop. I've decided. You're not going out.

I've locked the door with the key.

What colossal impertinence!

You can speak at your convenience!

Serpina, you make me loose my head!

What an angry and obstinate man. Don't make proud yourself...

because it would not pay you to do.

When I order you must be quiet' quiet...

and say nothing.

Serpina has decided.

I think you understand me...

since you've known me for so long.

Excellent. Did you hear that?

Now her ladyship is going to put everything in its place...

before I'm allowed out.

That's better.

Go and stop grumbling.

What are you hanging around wondering about.

You're right.

Just stand there and stare...

mock me call me an ass, you can even punch me' if you so wish.

And I'll stay calm...

and I'll even kiss your hand.

What on earth are you doing?

Clear off, you wicked thing! Get out you insolent woman!

I've had enough of this.

Vespone...

you're to find me a wife immediately.

Even if she's as ugly as a witch.

I just want to get married!

I won't be dominated by this woman any more.

This is where the fun starts.

Go ahead get married.

I approve.

You approve? Fortunately, she approved.

-Then I will get married. -Marry me!

-You? Do you say so? -Of course! It's no joke.

She deserves a good spanking! Hand me my stick.

Such impertinence

You can say or do whatever you want...

but I will be your wife.

Away with you daughter.

You should say: my wife.

Heavens above! This woman's going to be the death of me.

Dead or alive that's how it will be. I've known it a long time.

This is diabolical.

I can see it in your eyes...

crafty, scheming, malicious.

Though you say "no"...

you really mean "yes."

My good woman you're very much mistaken!

Your ambition runs away with you.

Both the Almighty and myself say "no".

Your "yes" is a dream

But why?

Am I not beautiful? Am I not charming and attractive?

Just look at my grace...

pride and passion!

She's seeing if I can resist her.

What am I to do?

I think he's succumbing.

-Decide then... -I have; get out.

-Decide! -You're mad!

You have all my affection, so why not marry me.

What a mess...

I got in.

Intermezzo ll

Choosing Vespone as an ally, Serpina plans a way

to catch her master go

Serpina, pretending to go away,

won her master's heart go

Uberto falls into trap

and considers marrying Serpina.

Uberto realizes he has gotten into trouble.

Vespone, disguised as Captain Tempestade

helps Serpina to gain her end.

Happy with their math, the master and the new mistress

feel the love beating in their hearts go

Assured of Uberto's love,

Serpina finally gave herself up to Uberto.

Now that we're working together...

commit yourself totally, Vespone.

When we win and I have married the master...

all will be yours.

You will be a second master.

I promise you.

I think that perhaps my servant...

or better still...

my mistress...

will allow me to leave the house.

Look, without even asking, he's got dressed

Now she's really exceeded herself.

Shameless. She even dared ask me to marry her.

Hide here in this room; when it's time come out.

She's here. We continue with the game.

Can I or can't I?

Does my gracious mistress allow me?

For me the game is over...

and shortly you will no longer be troubled by my cause.

-I don't think so. -You will be married shortly.

Yes I will, but not to you.

-No, not to me. -That's a turn around

Yes it is.

I must think of my own interests too.

-Think is right -I've thought' too

-And what? -I've found a husband for myself

Congratulations. That was very quick. How come?

Sometimes more happens in an hour than in a century.

Well said, can I know who he is?

-He's a soldier -Excellent. And what's his name. ?

-Captain Thunderstorm. -What an ugly name.

It suits him.

-He's rather short-tempered. -Too bad

-What's worse, he's crazy. -Awful!

-He's easily angered. -Appalling.

And when he's really crazy, he gets violent and breaks things.

Is your Ladyship feeling OK?

Why?

Because if you're so cheeky with me...

imagine how you will be as a wife.

Without doubt, Captain Thunderstorm will be furious...

and give you a damn good spanking.

Serpina will get her way

I'll be sorry.

I'm fond of you, you know that.

Thank you.

Farewell and take care.

Be happy with your wife...

and don't forget Serpina.

May the Almighty pardon you...

for your conceit...

which made me do this.

Some day...

you'll remember Serpina...

and you'll say:

"Ah Serpina, poor little thing...

I loved her...

once."

It seems little by little...

he's starting to soften.

If I was cheeky sometimes...

forgive me.

I did wrong.

Now I realize it!

He's squeezing my hand...

this couldn't be going better.

Serpina!

Ah, how I regret my decision...

but was it my fault?

Grumble all you like, it will turn out as I want.

I have no doubt.

I'll never forget you

Do you want to meet my fiancëe

I'd love to.

I'll send for him he's waiting in the street.

-Off you go -By your leave.

I can't guess who he is?

Perhaps he's a punishment for how she's treated me.

If what she says is true, her husband...

will teach her some manners with his cane.

Poor little girl.

Perhaps I...

No she's only a servant.

But I wouldn't be the first.

Would you marry her?

Enough! No. No. Never.

Banish such thoughts from your mind.

But I brought her up...

almost from birth...

Are you mad?

Stay cool. Don't even think about it.

But I feel sad...

forth at poor worthless woman.

Oh dear it's starting up again.

What a complicated affair.

I've fallen into her trap.

I've a strong feeling in my heart.

But I'm unsure whether it's pity or love.

Something is whispering:

"Uberto, think straight."

I'm caught between Yes and No, between "I want her" and "I don't want her".

Confused she's made me.

Oh how miserable and...

what will become of me?

Please Sir. Come in.

-Is that him? -It is.

He's an ugly chap, and he's got a weather-beaten face.

How do you do, dear Captain Thunderstorm?

Are you going to marry my maid?

Are you happy?

Is there anything that would stop you.

Well...

He's a man of few words.

Very few!

Do you want me? With your permission

And now this hideous vulture will take this sweet dove.

-Do you know what he said? -Tell me Serpina

He'd like you to give him my dowry

Dowry? What Dowry? Are you mad?

Don't shout, it makes him angry.

He can get as angry as Orlando Furioso.

-It doesn't bother me. -Oh my God! He's starting to shake.

What a mess! Go and ask him what he wants.

Let's see how much I have to pay.

What did he say?

He wants at least four thousand escudos.

Curse! indeed! He wants a fleabite.

Master... Well' Sir!

Serpina! Let the devil carry him off... Vespone! Where are you?

Master, you'll only make matters worse.

Listen. Did you do a deal with him?

"Yes" and "No". Now.

Steady on, this damned Captain can ruin me.

-He said... -What did he say?

He needs an interpreter.

That you either give him 4000 escudos...

or he won't marry me.

-He said that? -That's what he said.

And if he doesn't marry you, what do I care?

Perhaps nothing, but in that case you must marry me

-He said that? -He did.

And if you don't marry me he'll beat you up.

-He didn't say that. -You'll see.

Did he say? Yes, Sir!

All right, don't stress yourself...

if that is destiny's wish then I'll marry her

Give me your right hand.

Here.

Long live the Master.

Are you satisfied now?

And long live Vespone!

You blaggard. What a fool you've made of me. Leave me alone.

Stop fussing. I'm your wife now.

That's for sure.

You caught me out.

And from a Maid...

I have become a Mistress.

For you, I have in my heart, a little hammer of love...

beating away.

For you, I have in my heart, a big drum...

beating loudly.

I can hear it beat: tap' tap' tap.

I can hear it too: thump' thump' thump.

That's true, I've heard it. What does it mean?

-I don't know. -Neither do I.

-Dearest husband. -Darling wife.

My God! You can imagine.

-My beating... -What?

The little hammer of love.

-But what can it be? -I've no idea.

-There it is: tap, tap, tap. -I feel it too: thump' thump' thump.

-I've no idea what it is. -It beats me.

Could it... no it couldn't be.

Could it... no it couldn't be.

You cunning thing! I understand you.

You thief. Now I understand you.

You want to deceive me don't you!

Will you be happy?

Will you love me?

Indeed, I'm happy from...

the depths of my heart.

Tell me the truth.

It is the truth.

Oh my God, I can't believe it.

Don't doubt it.

-Oh my darling husband -Sweet bride-to-be.

-Like this, you make me so happy. -Like this you please me.