Original subtitles

Beautiful Venice!

Charming!

Where every pleasure dwells!

Her very nights are clearer than the days elsewhere.

With the orator Grimani we are due to leave tomorrow.

Shall we ever find such pleasure by the Po?

We shall.

Alfonso's court is splendid

and merry too.

Lucrezia Borgia...

Hush, never speak her name.

That name is cursed.

The Borgia, I detest her.

Who, knowing of her crimes,

could fail to hate her?

I more than anyone.

Listen.

An old man, a seer...

- As teller of tales, Orsino, do you never rest? - Hush!

Leave the Borgia in peace. I dislike hearing about her.

Hush, do not interrupt. His story will be brief.

I shall sleep. Wake me up when he has finished.

Listen.

During the battle of Rimini , that decisive and memorable day,

wounded and nearly lifeless

upon the ground I lay.

Gennaro then did aid me,

upon his horse he laid me,

and into a lonely wood

he carried me to safety.

His virtue I do know

and his compassion too.

In the silence of the night

courage we took and hope,

we swore an oath that both of us

should live and die together.

"And together you shall die,"

a sonorous voice cried out

and an old man dressed in black

loomed huge before our eyes.

Sweet heaven!

"Flee from the Borgias, young men,"

- he cried still louder yet. - Was he some kind of seer...

"In hate I hold Lucrezia, where Lucrezia is, is death."

...to prophesy like this?

Thus saying, he vanished

and the wind in tones of lamentation

echoed thrice the name

that I hold in detestation.

An evil omen is this

but can one believe it?

No! No! No!

Listen.

The dance invites us.

Banish these sad thoughts.

Let us spend the night rejoicing.

That evil woman has caused us enough distress and grief.

- In dubious horoscopes - While the dreaded Lion of Venice

- I place no trust. - offers us refuge and help

- Yet, despite myself, - the Borgias' evil art and fury

- the memory makes me shudder. - cannot harm us.

Often, everywhere I turn I see that hideous greybeard

and hear that monstrous threat re-echo around me in the night.

Come, the dance invites us.

I envy you , Gennaro,

- being able to sleep like that. - We will leave him sleeping.

Serenely he lies there.

Oh, may all his nights

be so serene!

And may he never know

nights such as mine

of such torment.

- Is that you? - It is I.

I fear you may be recognized.

Your life is protected , true, by the Venetian powers

but they could not protect you ,

if recognized , from insult.

And I would be insulted!

Everyone abhors me!

And yet I was not born for such a sad destiny.

Oh, were it in my power to cancel out the past

and in one single heart arouse a sense of pity and love,

which I , for all my greatness, ask of the world in vain!

Do you see that youth?

I do, and for days I have followed him

and vainly attempted to discover why for his sake

you should come from Ferrara to Venice in such distress.

You tried to discover that?

Impossible!

Leave me with him.

How beautiful he is! What charm

upon his proud and honest face!

Never did my fantasy

paint so fair a picture.

My soul is filled with joy

now that I can look upon him at last.

Spare me, O heaven, the pain

of his eventual contempt.

Shall I wake him?

No, I dare not, nor reveal to him my face.

And yet I must wipe away this tear in my eye.

- Do you see? 'Tis she. - 'Tis true.

- Who is the youth? - A soldier of fortune.

- Has he no known origins? - No, nor family.

But he is one of the bravest warriors.

Use every means to bring him to Ferrara, into my power.

He leaves with Grimani at dawn, anticipating your wish.

While my grieving heart laments

while I weep beside you ,

sleep and dream , sweet one,

of nothing but delight

and may a guardian angel

wake you to naught but pleasure!

Nights of sorrow and bitter dawns

I alone must bear.

- Heaven! - What do I see?

- Let me go! - No, no, gentle lady!

- Let me go! - No, by my faith!

Let me look at you again.

Comely, gracious and lovely you are.

You have no need to fear

that my heart will prove insensitive or hard in your regard.

Gennaro, is it possible

that you feel love for me?

- What doubt is in your mind? - Ah, tell me.

Yes, as far as I may, I love you.

Oh, joy!

But... but...

But listen.

I wish to be quite honest,

I do, yes.

There is one more dear for whom I feel immense affection.

- And this one is dearer to you than I? - Yes. - Who is it?

- My mother. - Your mother! - Yes.

Your mother! Oh, Gennaro!

- You love her? - As myself.

And she?

Ah, pity me, I have never seen her.

How is that?

It is a sad story that I have kept from others

but some strange instinct urges me to tell it to you.

- Courteous and fair is the soul that in your face appears. - Gentle heart!

Ah, tell me! You can tell me everything!

I believed myself to be the son

of a lowly fisherman

and in my early years

lived humbly with him in Naples.

Then one day an unknown soldier

came with visor closed.

He gave me a horse and arm our

and left a letter with me.

And then?

It was my mother, poor lady,

my mother who had written.

A wicked tyrant's victim ,

she feared for herself and me.

Never to speak of her

nor ask her name or who she was,

this was her earnest prayer to me,

and this I have obeyed.

And the letter?

You see it here: I wear it ever on my heart.

Who knows what bitter tears these lines cost her to write!

And I too, lady, how many have I wept over them!

But what is this? You also weep?

Oh, yes. For her, for you.

You weep for me?

Gentle soul ,

this makes you still dearer to my heart.

Love your mother, always keep this tenderness for her.

Pray that the furious raging of her bitter fate will pass.

Pray that she may press you one day to her heart.

I love her, yes, I love her

and seem to see her everywhere I look.

This sweet and gentle image

that I have formed within my heart,

whether awake or sleeping,

I hold discourse with her always.

People are approaching. I must leave you.

- Ah, stay! - Who do I see here?

I must leave you.

At least deign to tell me who you are!

- One who loves you , whose very life you are. - Who are you?

I will tell you.

- Oh, God ! - Do not go now!

- You must listen to us! - Gennaro! - What presumption is this?

If one of you should offer her an insult

he is no longer Gennaro's friend.

- We only want to tell her who we are. - Oh, peril!

Then let her run away.

Oh, peril!

You must listen to us.

Speak.

I am Maffio Orsini , Madame,

whose brother you murdered in his sleep.

Vitelli , I , my uncle on your orders

was killed within the castle you purloined.

I am Appiano's nephew. He, betrayed ,

was slain by you in vile imprisonment.

Oh, God ! What is this I hear!

- Oh, my unhappy fate! - Petrucci , I , cousin to the count

- Oh, God ! What is this I hear! - whose estate in Siena you appropriated.

- I am related to one you oppressed , - Oh, God ! Where can I run to?

- Who you had drowned in the Tiber. - What can I say?

Oh, my unhappy fate!

What an evil woman!

Oh, God ! What is this I hear!

- Oh, my unhappy fate! - Go, evil woman!

Go, go, go!

We have revealed our identities to her, now here is hers.

Say on, say on.

Ah! Mercy!

Here is hers.

This woman's infamy is such

that she will be abhorred by generations.

This woman is so poisonous, impure, despicable

- that nature is outraged . - Ah, Gennaro!

She is both hated and feared alike,

- This woman? - for fate endowed her with power.

- But who is she, then? - Do not listen to them , Gennaro!

- Do you want to know? - Yes, who is she?

- Please, do not listen to them ! - Ah, tell me!

She is both hated and feared alike,

for fate endowed her with power.

But who is she?

- She is the Borgia! - Oh, God!

Behold her!

Did you see him in the Venetian procession?

I placed myself beside him and followed him like a shadow.

- That is where he lives. - There?

Lucrezia wanted it so. Just opposite the ducal residence.

And he would like,

if I can trust the despicable Gubetta,

to come and go there freely, spying furtively.

He may enter

but will not leave alive.

You hear?

He revels with his friends. The fool has been entertaining them

all night long.

Hurrah! Hurrah!

They usually depart at dawn.

And the coming dawn will be the last to break for the reckless youth.

This is the last farewell he will take from his friends.

Come, my revenge

is plotted and prepared.

He himself will ensure it and hasten it

by his blind trustfulness.

But if the proud Grimani should be offended by this?

He would never challenge me for these madmen.

Whatever be the outcome that destiny may bring

I do not fear the enmity of the proud ambassador.

The fatal lagoon was not always closed to the people.

For an offended prince it can be opened again.

The whole night in revelry.

It will be the last.

It will be the last farewell.

Yes.

Farewell , Gennaro.

Farewell , my noble friends.

- Must I see you always so sad? - Not sad at all.

If I cannot see you , if only I could at least help you , o mother!

A thousand charming beauties will be at the party this evening

to which we are invited by the kind Princess Negroni.

Should she have forgotten anyone, tell me

and I will put it right.

We are all invited.

And I am , too.

Oh, it is the wineskin.

This man is everywhere! I have been suspicious of him for some time.

Oh, fear not. A merry soul and , like us all ,

a madcap is he.

Come now! I do not like to see you so subdued , Gennaro.

Maybe the Borgia has bewitched you?

Still speaking about her?

I vow before heaven, my lords, I want no joking.

There is no man alive that abhors her as I do.

Quiet. This is her palace.

It matters not. I should like to write shame upon her forehead ,

just as I am prepared to write it on that wall with "Borgia" on it.

What are you doing?

Read now.

The devil!

"Orgy"!

This is a prank which many could pay for dearly tomorrow.

When they seek the culprit I am prepared to own up.

We are being watched . Let us make an end now.

Farewell.

What are you doing here?

I am waiting for you to leave.

And you , what are you doing?

I am waiting for you to get out of my way.

Who do you have business with?

With that young stranger who lodges here.

- And you with whom? - With that young stranger...

- Which one? -.. .who also lodges here.

- Where are you taking him? - To the duchess.

- And you , where? - To the duke.

Oh, the way is not the same.

Nor does it lead to the same end.

- One leads to pleasure. - The other to death.

Which way will he go?

The victory of skill or force depends upon the will.

Say nothing, go, remove yourself. Plainly here you see the stronger.

Woe betide you , should you give him a hint of suspicion.

As you know, one here is lord :

his word is absolute law.

I know, I know.

But what of the duchess's fury?

Silence and don't be afraid of her.

If you want to act with wisdom , you must leave and keep silent.

I shall depart, yes, and leave all the rest to you.

Did you carry out all my orders?

Every one. The prisoner waits without.

Now listen.

In that secret chamber beyond , at the foot of my ancestor's statue,

there are cupboards which this golden key unlocks.

Within, you will see one vessel of gold and one of silver.

Take them both into the nearby room.

Do not be tempted by the gold one.

It holds the Borgia's wine.

Wait. Stay by the door with your sword at the ready.

When I call you bring the flagons.

If you hear another signal come with drawn sword.

The duchess.

Hurry.

Why do you look so angry?

Desire for revenge brings me to you.

I have come here to denounce a vile and unprecedented crime.

Someone in Ferrara

dared insult your wife's name in broad daylight

and deface it.

I know.

And will you not punish him? Will Alfonso suffer him to live?

He is about to be brought before us.

So be it! I insist he be put to death

before my eyes.

And your sacred ducal promise I ask for the sake of your love.

And my sacred promise I give. The prisoner.

Him!

Do you know this man?

Heaven! Gennaro! What a catastrophe!

Your Highness has had me

forcibly fetched from my house by armed men.

I hope I am allowed to ask how I have deserved such extreme measures.

Captain, draw near.

I shiver, I tremble!

Some rash man has lately dared in daylight,

on the ducal palace,

to deface with profane hand the august name of Borgia.

- We seek the culprit. - He is not the guilty one!

How do you know?

This morning he was elsewhere.

Some of his friends committed the felony.

- That is untrue. - Did you hear?

Speak the truth and say if you are guilty.

I do not lie.

I hold my honour dearer than life itself.

Duke Alfonso, I confess I am the culprit.

Woe is me!

I gave you my ducal promise.

I beg a few words with you in private, Alfonso.

May heaven help me!

We are alone.

What would you ask?

I would ask of you , my lord , that the life of that youth be spared.

How is that? After such severity?

Has your anger vanished so soon?

That was a passing whim . What good would his dying do?

So young! I forgive him.

I gave you my word , my lady,

- and shall never break a promise. - But my lord ...

- Never. - Hear me...

Don Alfonso, this is a very small favour

that you deny to a sovereign, your consort!

He who insulted you must not go unpunished.

You asked for and I promised his death.

- Let us forgive! Let us show mercy! - No.

- Mercy is a truly royal virtue. - I promised.

No, I cannot.

Who has set you so against Gennaro, dear Alfonso?

Who? You!

I? What are you saying?

- You love him ! Yes, you love him ! - What do I hear!

You followed him to Venice!

Ah, merciful heaven!

- You love him and you followed him ! - I?

Even now your face reveals

your guilty passion!

- Don Alfonso! - Calm yourself!

I swear, I swear...

- Do not perjure yourself further. - No!

- You love him and you followed him . - Don Alfonso!

It is time that I redress

my wrongs with dire vengeance.

Henceforth it will fall heavily

upon your vile accomplice.

Ah, mercy, Alfonso, mercy!

- The wretch must die. - Have mercy!

I will not listen to pleas for mercy.

- Not listen to pleas for mercy? - No.

Oh, take care, in your own interests, Don Alfonso, my fourth husband!

You have caused me too much weeping and my heart is too deeply pierced.

Grief now changes into anger and the Borgia might repent.

I well know nor could forget,

though I might want to, who you are.

But remember that I am the duke

and that you are in Ferrara and in my power.

This choice I leave to you : shall he perish by poison or the sword?

Think, think if he should die by the sword.

- The choice is yours. - Oh, God!

- Choose. - Almighty God!

He shall be stabbed immediately.

I pray you ! Wait!

He shall die!

Do not commit so black a crime!

Choose, choose!

Ah, let him not die by the sword!

Do nothing rash, I shall be near.

There is no room for hope.

I leave the unfortunate one to his fate.

Cruel man!

My heart fails me!

To the duchess's prayers that I should disregard your misdeed

I have bowed perforce

and will set you free.

Oh, how he dissembles!

Furthermore, as you are so valiant,

I will not deprive the Adriatic

nor Italy of your services.

- All my gratitude, my lord , is yours. - Perfidy!

And , as it is permitted to speak without fearing danger,

your generosity benefits

a man who has deserved it.

- How? - When Your Highness's father

was surrounded by enemies

he would have perished but for the help of a soldier of fortune.

And that was yourself?

And you saved his life?

That is true.

- My lord ! - The worthless woman yet hopes.

- He may change his mind ! - In vain!

Would following my standard appeal to you , O captain?

An eternal bond binds me to the Venetian State

and an oath is sacred.

- I know. - God!

This gold at least, I pray...

I have enough from my masters.

At least, since we observe the manners of our forebears,

a friendly cup I trust will not offend you.

I would deem this the greatest honour, my lord.

My gracious consort will act as our cup-bearer.

This is worse than death!

Stay with me, duchess!

Hey, there!

Woe betide you if a gesture escapes you or a word betrays you.

This man shall not leave my sight while still alive.

- Oh, if you knew - Be silent!

How atrocious is the crime you force upon me.

For all your brutal nature you would be as appalled as I.

I never expected from them

such benevolence towards me.

To meet with their forgiveness

seems a dream to me.

- Pour the wine! - Have pity! - Mother, this must be owed

- Your distaste is strange. - to your prayers alone.

Go! No monster is worse than you , no greater crime exists.

Come, now: let's pour some wine.

I am overcome by such an honour.

We are waiting, my lady.

- The monster! - The gold vessel!

Great God!

Heaven be with you , Gennaro.

Your happiness, too.

- Beware, false woman! - Mother, I owe my fortune ...

- He is the first victim . -. .. to your prayers.

Now, duchess, you can keep him here or bid him farewell.

A ray of hope!

Madam , accept the thanks of a not ungrateful heart.

Unhappy man! It was poison that you drank.

- Hush, or you will be stabbed . - What?

Take this and go! A drop, but one, of this preparation will save your life.

Hide it, hasten, flee from here

and may heaven's mercy go with you!

I hear without believing!

I hear without believing! Death alone

should I have expected in your court!

An evil genius blinded me,

- a fatal sense of security lulled me. - No, Gennaro.

- Maybe a yet more dreadful death - Drink it and go!

You deal with your own hand , cursed woman!

You are saved ! Oh, joy sublime!

Now fly! Hurry! Go! Go, Gennaro, flee!

Should this be treachery, may heaven have mercy on you!

A light shines through the window.

He has not left Ferrara.

Fortune favours the duke.

He will be revenged upon his rival.

Hasten, the hour is propitious,

dark is the sky, deserted the street.

Hasten, deserted is the street.

Hush! Listen!

A hum of voices, a distant murmur can be heard

and the sound of footsteps coming ever closer down the street.

Draw aside and lie in wait there.

See who it is and where they go.

- Is it you? - It is I.

Will you not come, Gennaro, to Princess Negroni's?

Every pleasure is spoilt if you do not share it with me.

A serious business draws me from your side.

I leave for Venice in a few minutes' time.

And leave me here? Have we two not sworn

to stay together until death whatever may befall?

- True. - Do you keep faith with me as I do with you?

Come with me.

Wait till dawn and I will.

I cannot refuse such a kind invitation.

This Negroni woman of yours makes a sinister impression upon me.

And so does your departure upon me, especially at night and alone,

so worried-looking and sad.

Stay, stay, Gennaro!

Listen!

And if you ask I will stay.

My life is in danger.

Here I am close to death.

Who has threatened you? Point him out to me.

Who is it?

Speak softly.

- The time has come. - No, wait.

The troublesome wretch will leave.

Quiet!

Hush, rash man!

Do you not suspect a trick?

How credulous you are!

- Hush, rash man! - Oh, Gennaro,

how credulous you are!

- Hush, hush! - It is but suspicion.

- Rash man! - Madman!

How credulous you are!

Have you not heard of female wiles?

In order to win your gratitude

she pretended to save your life.

What do you know of poisons?

What do you base your fear on?

Princess Negroni is a kind and noble lady,

the duke, a man of principle.

You know full well

that I am not a coward

and when confronted by death my courage has never wavered.

Yet in this noble household

my heart forebodes some ill.

Go, if you wish.

I would like to try my fortune.

Farewell , then.

Farewell , Gennaro.

Take good care.

Be reassured.

Ah, I cannot leave you here!

Ah, I do not want to leave you!

I shall go with you to the party.

I shall leave with you at dawn.

Whatever your destiny may be I shall share it, I swear anew.

- My true Gennaro! - My true Orsino!

Ever with you shall I live or die.

Like two flowers on a single stem , like two sprigs on a single branch...

...we shall lift our heads to skies serene...

...or be bowed down to earth.

To the party!

Yes, and then leave!

- My true Orsino! - My true Gennaro!

- He will escape us. - Do not follow him.

Fools!

He is going to Princess Negroni.

All right, then.

Fools! He is running into the trap.

There is no doubt, you have guessed the truth.

Strong and sure is the hook and line cast before the blind man there.

Let him go and we will go home. To wound him is not our job.

Hurrah for Madeira!

Hurrah! Hurrah!

Hurrah for Rhenish, that warms and enlivens!

Cyprus is the king of wines.

All wines, by my faith, are good.

I prize the wine that sparkles and flashes like a fire,

that stirs to life the god of love in the seductive eyes of Princess Negroni.

Hurrah for Princess Negroni ! Hurrah for Madeira!

Blessed are all who drink to her! Let us drink to her fine eyes!

Love shaped her.

Venus showered upon her all her gifts.

- A toast! - A toast!

Hurrah!

Hurrah for Princess Negroni!

They are already drunk.

It were prudent to leave them alone.

- I am wearied . - So?

Gennaro, are you leaving us?

Listen to the new drinking song I wrote the other day.

- Ha, ha! - Who is laughing?

- Everyone here is laughing. - Why?

Ha, ha! The great songwriter!

Are you insulting me?

If laughter is an insult I cannot help that.

Castilian scoundrel!

Roman rogue!

Heavens! They are fighting!

- What are you doing? Calm down! - Let us get away from here.

- Scoundrel ! - Rogue! - Calm down!

I will give you , madman, something to remember

- to keep you sober and restrained ! - That is enough!

No, I will give you something to remember

- to keep you sober and restrained ! - Have some respect!

You will have the whole city running to see what is happening!

No fighting, no fighting now!

There will be time enough tomorrow for you to fight like soldiers,

not with daggers like common assassins.

- That is true. - What did we do with our swords?

We left them outside.

Think no more about it.

Let us drink, gentlemen!

But meanwhile, frightened , the ladies have left us.

They will return and we will humbly ask forgiveness.

Wine from Syracuse.

The very best, by heaven!

Maffio, did you see that? The Spaniard is not drinking.

It is only natural , he is probably drunk.

Now, if he wishes, my friends, Orsini can scribble all the verses he likes

for this wine makes every man a poet.

I will , too, in spite of you.

A song, Orsino.

To happiness I have the key, I've proved it, friends, you'll agree,

for whether the sky be blue or grey, hot or freezing cold the day,

I joke and I drink and the madmen who think of tomorrow I scorn.

Tomorrow who knows what may happen, enjoy life today while you can.

The joys of the ungodly melt like morning mist.

Strange voices!

Someone is playing a joke on us.

Who could it be?

I will lay a wager that the ladies are behind this prank.

Another verse, Orsino.

The verse is ready.

We're young, let's live our lives fully. Pleasure will help time pass slowly.

If pallid old age should appear at my shoulder, inviting fear,

then I jest and I drink and the madmen who think of tomorrow I scorn.

Tomorrow who knows what may happen, enjoy life today while you can.

The joys of the ungodly melt like morning mist.

- Gennaro! - Maffio!

See?

The torches have gone out.

This is more than a joke.

Let us get away.

All the doors are shut!

Where are we?

In the power of Lucrezia Borgia.

Ah, we are lost!

Yes, I am the Borgia.

An entertainment, a sad one, you gave me in Venice.

I return your hospitality with a supper in Ferrara.

Oh, we are betrayed!

In vain did you believe yourselves safe from punishment.

For the insult my revenge is already complete:

five shrouds are ready for your cadavers

for the poison you have drunk works quickly.

Five are not enough: you need a sixth.

Gennaro!

Oh, God!

I am quite able to die with my friends.

Hurry! Bolt all the doors

and whatever noise you hear let no one dare to enter this room.

- Gennaro! - My friends!

Go!

Oh, what miserable wretches we are!

You here, too? Did you not flee?

What adverse destiny kept you here?

All , all did I foresee.

You are poisoned again.

- I have the remedy. - Ah, I remember!

Ah, I give thanks to heaven!

With my friends I shall die

or leave together with them.

Ah, it is barely enough for you!

Ah, there is not sufficient for your friends!

- Not sufficient? - No.

Then, madam , we shall all die.

Ah, what are you saying?

You shall be the first. Prepare yourself to die by my hand.

- I? Gennaro! - Yes! - Listen, madman!

- I am determined . - What can I say or do?

- Prepare yourself. - Pitiless man!

Could you wound me, kill me?

Yes, I can, I am desperate.

You have taken everything from me. No more delay.

Ah, stay your hand!

- Prepare yourself. - Gennaro!

- Prepare yourself. - Wait!

- You are a Borgia! - I?

They were your forebears and mine.

Save yourself from committing a horrendous crime.

Do not spill your own blood.

I , a Borgia?

Oh, God ! I cannot believe it!

Ah, ask no more!

Ah, listen to me, I implore you

not for the sake of saving my life!

I die a thousand deaths each day,

a thousand times in my wounded heart

I pray that you , you at least,

I will never wish to harm.

Drink, drink, oh, hasten, do,

to counteract the poison!

- I am a Borgia! - Time flies!

Do as I say!

Hasten, do, to counteract the poison!

- Heavens! - Do as I say!

Time flies.

Gennaro!

- Maffio is dying. - Do as I say for your mother's sake!

Away! You are the sole cause of her pain!

No, no, Gennaro!

- You crushed her! - Do not think so!

- What did you do to her? - She lives and speaks to you

in this pain and terror of mine.

- Oh, God ! Not you? - Yes, I am she.

You ! Almighty God ! I faint.

My son! My son!

Help! Oh, help me!

Come quickly! Help!

No one hears me.

They have all gone. Almighty God , let him live!

Cease. It is too late.

I swoon, I am cold.

Miserable me!

My eyes cloud over.

O my Gennaro, one last word ...

Mother, though I have lived my life

far from the maternal breast,

a compassionate God

unites us in death at least.

Mother, may I breathe my last breath

upon your heart.

My son!

Oh, help! Help!

Mother...

Mother, I am dying.

He is dead!

He is dead!

My son is dead!

Where is he? Where?

There he is.

Look.

He was my son,

my hope, my comfort.

He could have stemmed God's wrath,

he seemed to make me pure again.

Now he is dead , all light has gone,

my heart has died with him.

On my head now falls the bolt of heaven's punishment.

Secret guilt! Horrible fate!

Help her, she is dying!