Verdi: Nabucco (Libretto

Giuseppe Verdi: Nabucco


	NABUCCO Dramma lirico in four parts Libretto Temistocle Solera, after the play Nabucodonosor by Anicet-Bourgeois and Francis Cornue and the scenario of the ballet Nabucodonosor by Antonio Cortesi Premiere 9 March 1842, Milan (Teatro alla Scala) Cast NABUCCO [NEBUCHADNEZZAR], King of Babylon (Baritone) ISMAELE (Tenor) ZACCARIA (Bass) ABIGAILLE (Soprano) FENENA (Soprano) HIGH PRIEST OF BAAL (Bass) ABDALLO (Tenor) ANNA (Soprano) CHORUS Babylonian and Hebrew soldiers, Levites, Hebrew virgins, Babylonian women, magi, grandees of the Kngdom of Babylon, populace, etc. Place Jerusalem (Part I) and Babylon (Parts II to IV) Time 587 BC. Overture PART ONE - Jerusalem Thus saith the Lord. Behold, I shall deliver this city into the hand of the King of Babylon, and he will burn it with fire. (Jeremiah) The interior of the Temple of Solomon HEBREWS, LEVITES, VIRGINS Throw down and destroy all festive decorations, let the people of Judah clothe themselves in mourning! Minister of an angry God's wrath, the King of Assyria has fallen on us now! The horrible howlings of barbarian legions have thundered in the Holy Temple of God! LEVITES Maidens, rend your white veils, raise your arms in supplication; the fervent prayer of innocent lips is a pleasing perfume in the nostrils of the Lord! Pray, maidens! Through you may the fury of the savage enemy legions be as naught! All prostrate themselves. VIRGINS Almighty God, Who fliest on the wings of the wind, Who freest the lightning flash from the quivering cloud, disperse, destroy the legions of Assyria, let the daughter of David rejoice once more! We have sinned! But in heaven may our prayers obtain mercy and forgiveness for our frailty! ALL Oh, let not the wicked cry with blasphemous presumption: "Does the God of Israel hide Himself for fear?" Do not let Thy children fall prey to a madman who scorns Thy everlasting might! Do not permit the Assyrian foe to sit among his false idols upon the throne of David! Zaccaria enters, leading Fenena by the hand. ZACCARIA Be of good cheer, my children! Almighty God in His might has vouchsafed a sign; He has delivered a precious hostage into my power: indicating Fenena the offspring of the enemy king can bring us peace. CHORUS The sun of a more propitious day has perhaps arisen for us! ZACCARIA Curb your fears! Place your trust in God's eternal help. There upon the shores of Egypt He procured Moses his life; once He rendered invincible the hundred men of Gideon… Who, trusting in Him, has ever perished in the hour of extremity? CHORUS The sun of a more propitious day... ZACCARIA Curb your fears! CHORUS ... the sun of a more propitious day... ZACCARIA Curb your fears! CHORUS ... the sun of a more propitious day has perhaps risen for us! ZACCARIA Place your trust in God's eternal help. Who, trusting in Him, has ever Perished in the hour of extremity? CHORUS Has risen for us! ZACCARIA Who, trusting in him, etc. CHORUS Has risen for us! etc. ZACCARIA Curb your fears! etc. LEVITES What noise is that? Ismaele enters, followed by Hebrew soldiers. ISMAELE Furiously the Assyrian king advances; it seems he defies the whole world in his haughty arrogance! ALL Let us die rather ... ZACCARIA Heaven will perhaps put an end to his wicked endeavours – the foe shall not rest upon the ruins of Zion. to Ismaele, as he hands Fenena into his charge I commit this first among Assyrian damsels to your care! ALL Have mercy, o Lord! ZACCARIA As night before the shining sun, as dust before the wind, thou shalt vanish in the hour of trial, of false god of Baal! Thou mighty God of Abraham, descend and fight alongside us. CHORUS In Thy servants kindle a breath of fire that shall deal death... ZACCARIA ... to the enemy. In Thy servants kindle a breath of fire thou shall deal death to the enemy. CHORUS As night before the shining sun, as dust before the wind, thou shalt vanish in the hour of trial, oh false god of Baal! ZACCARIA As night before the shining sun, etc. CHORUS In Thy servants kindle a breath of fire that shall deal death... ZACCARIA ... to the enemy. In Thy servants kind le the breath of fire that shall deal death to the enemy. CHORUS That shall deal death to the enemy, etc. ZACCARIA That shall deal death to the enemy, etc. All then depart, save Fenena and Ismaele. ISMAELE Fenena! Oh my beloved! FENENA On the day of vengeance who ever heard talk of love? ISMAELE Unhappy girl! Oh, how much more beautiful you appear to my eyes now than when, as Ambassador to Babylon from Judah, I came! You took me out of prison at grave risk to yourself, neither were you disturbed by the cruel and envious vigilance of your sister, who pursued me with a raging passion! FENENA Oh, why remind me! I am a slave here now! ISMAELE But I would unlock the way to freedom for you! FENENA Unhappy man! Now you are betraying a sacred duty! ISMAELE Come! You also broke it for me! Come! My heart will open to you the way through thousands. While he tries to open a secret door, Abigail enters, sword in hand, followed by a band of Babylonian soldiers disguised in Hebrew attire. ABIGAIL Soldiers, the Temple is taken! FENENA, ISMAELE Abigail! ABIGAIL contemptuously, to Ismaele Valiant soldier! Do you know no other arms save those of love? to Fenena In the heart of an Assyrian maid such a flame seems wicked to me now! What god will save you? Your tomb will be your bridal couch ... The thunderbolt of my revenge already hangs suspended over your heads! to Ismaele I loved you! I would have given my kingdom and my heart for your heart! This love is a raging fury, it can give you life or death. Oh, if you love me, I might save your people yet! ISMAELE Ah no! I will render you up my life, but my heart I cannot give; I am content with my fate, but cannot, no, cannot fear for myself. ABIGAIL I loved you! This love is a raging fury ... FENENA Ah! I call upon Thee now, I recognize Thee now, true God of Israel: not for my sake in the hour of trial be moved by my prayer… ISMAELE But let my tears speak for my people. ABIGAIL Oh, if you love me, I might yet save your people. FENENA … only protect my brother and condemn me to weeping! ISMAELE For them alone may my tears, ah yes, my tears speak, speak for my people! Hebrew men and women ‑ with Anna ‑ and Levites enter in a panic. ANNA, WOMEN You saw him? Like thunder he bursts into the thick of the fray! OLD MEN Brandishing his bloody sword he is heading this way! LEVITES In vain the soldiers offer their breasts as shield to the Holy Temple! WOMEN Our prayers and our tears are accursed in the sight of the Everlasting! WOMEN, LEVITES, OLD MEN Happy the man who has not lived to see this day! Disarmed Hebrew soldiers enter. SOLDIERS Behold the King! Upon his steed, he makes his way to the Temple, like a whirlwind that brings everywhere black ruin in its train. ZACCARIA entering precipitately What presumption! He does not even dismount from his furious charger! ALL Calamity, alas! Who now will defend the Temple of the Lord? ABIGAIL advancing with her soldiers Long live Nebuchadnezzar! VOICES without Hail! ZACCARIA Who opened the way to the scoundrels? ISMAELE pointing to the disguised Babylonians False attire! ABIGAIL Pride will not help. The King comes this way. Babylonian soldiers invade the Temple. Nebuchadnezzar (Nabucco) appears at the threshold on horseback, but is stopped by Zaccaria. ZACCARIA What are you about? ... Tremble, madman! This is the house of God! NABUCCO What is that about God? ZACCARIA seizing hold of Fenena and raising his dagger to strike Before you shall profane the Temple, this dagger shall slay your daughter! NABUCCO dismounting I must dissemble, and my wrath will burst forth all the stronger. Let the madmen tremble at my anger. Victims all they now shall fall! Amid tears and groans wicked Zion must welter in a sea of blood!) FENENA Father, have mercy! I am near unto death for you here! ISMAELE, ANNA, ZACCARIA, HEBREWS, LEVITES Thou who at Thy pleasure the hearts of kings dost turn, o Almighty God, send us Thy aid! ABIGAIL You can calm the vehemence of my anger, new hope that shines before my eyes! NABUCCO (Wicked Zion must welter in blood!) ABIGAIL That girl who disputes my one and only love with me will perhaps fall victim to revenge! ISMAELE, ANNA, ZACCARIA, HEBREWS, LEVITES Send us Thy aid, Almighty God! Look down upon Thy children, who must now prepare themselves for cruel chains! NABUCCO (... it must! Amid tears and groans wicked Zion must welter in a sea of blood!) FENENA Father, have pity ‑ pity! Father, let pity speak in your heart! I am at the point of death now because of you Oh, pardon the victims of misfortune, and your daughter will be saved! NABUCCO Down on your knees, defeated slaves! I am the conqueror. I challenged him in battle, but did your God come? He is afraid of me; who in the whole wide world, you fools, will be able to withstand me? ZACCARIA again threatening Fenena with his knife Wicked monster, see! The first victim I slay will be this girl! Do you thirst for blood? Let it spill from your daughter's breast! NABUCCO Stop! ZACCARIA about to strike No, she shall die! Ismaele suddenly wrests the dagger from Zaccaria and frees Fenena, who throws herself into her father's arms. ISMAELE Unhappy girl, love will save you! NABUCCO My fury, no longer constrained, shall make horrible massacre of the conquered. to the Babylonians Plunder and burn the Temple; mercy will be a crime! ABIGAIL This accursed people shall be wiped off the face of the earth. But will not love that wages war upon me then perhaps be extinguished? Though my heart's affection may not, my hate, at least, shall be satisfied. ANNA, FENENA, ISMAELE Unhappy man, fond affection, ah, has drawn a veil before his/my eyes! Oh, the love that has set him/me so afire will cover him/me with shame! Oh, let not this unhappy man be accursed, for pity's sake! NABUCCO Sack and burn down the Temple; mercy shall be a crime! Mothers shall offer their breasts in vain to shield their children! ZACCARIA to Ismaele Be rejected of men, traitor to your brethren! Your accursed name shall be the shame of every age! FENENA, ISMAELE Oh, let not this unhappy man be accursed, for pity's sake! NABUCCO Sack the Temple! ABIGAIL But will not love that wages war upon me then perhaps be extinguished? ANNA, FENENA, ISMAELE Oh, let not this unhappy man be accursed, for pity's sake! ZACCARIA, HEBREWS Oh, fly from the accursed one heaven and earth will cry. ABIGAIL Though my heayt's affection may not, etc. ANNA. FENENA, ISMAELE Oh, let not this unhappy man etc. NABUCCO Sack and burn down the Temple, etc. ZACCARIA, HEBREWS Oh, fly from the accursed one, etc. ZACCARIA, HEBREWS Oh, fly from the accursed one heaven and earth will cry. ABIGAIL This accursed people, etc. ANNA, FENENA, ISMAELE Unhappy man, fond affection, etc. NABUCCO My fury, no longer constrained, etc. PART TWO - The Wicked Man or The Unbeliever Behold, the whirlwind of the Lord goeth forth: it shall fall upon the head of the wicked. (Jeremiah) SCENE I An apartment in the royal palace of Babylon ABIGAIL entering hastily, with a parchment in her hand Happy chance I found you, oh fatal document! In his bosom the King tried to hide you, in order to prove my shame!… Abigail, issue of slaves! Very well, let it be so! … Daughter of Nabucco such as the Assyrians take me to be, what am I here? Worse than a slave! The throne the King confides to the younger Fenena, whilst he, among his soldiers, bends his mind to exterminate Judaea! Me he sends from the battlefield here to observe the loves of others! Oh, wretches all, and even more deluded! Little do you know the heart of Abigail! Upon everyone you will see my fury fall! Ah yes! Let Fenena fall ... my pretended father ... the whole realm! Upon me hurl thyself, oh fatal anger! I, too, once opened my heart to happiness! Everything around me I heard speak of holy love; I wept at others' tears, suffered at others' pain; ah! to that lost enchantment who will return me one day? I wept at others' tears, etc. The High Priest of Baal, accompanied by soothsayers, now enters. Who comes here? HIGH PRIEST My eyes have witnessed a terrible sight! ABIGAIL Oh! Of what do you speak? HIGH PRIEST Fenena is a wicked woman, she is setting the Hebrews free! ABIGAIL Oh! HIGH PRIEST Who now can check this accursed rabble? Power awaits you ... ABIGAIL How's that? HIGH PRIEST All is prepared. HIGH PRIEST, SOOTHSAYERS We have already spread the rumour abroad that the King has fallen in battle ... The people call for you as queen to save the Assyrian land. Only a step… fortune is yours. Be stout of heart! ABIGAIL I am with you! Go!… Oh, faithful subject, this woman shall not yield to you in stalwart courage! I now ascend the bloodstained seat of the golden throne. From that seat I shall be able to take my revenge. That the sceptre is mine by right all peoples shall see! Ah! Royal princesses will come hither to beg favours of the humble slave. HIGH PRIEST, SOOTHSAYERS And the vengeance of Baal will thunder alongside yours! Yes, alongside yours! ABIGAIL I now ascend the bloodstained seat, etc. HIGH PRIEST, SOOTHSAYERS And the vengeance of Baal will thunder alongside yours! ABIGAIL … they will beg grace of the humble slave. SCENE II A hall in the palace A door on the right leads to a gallery, one on the left to the regent's apartments. It is night: the hall is faintly lit by a solitary lamp. ZACCARIA entering, accompanied by a Levite carrying the Tables of the Law Come, oh Levite! Give me the Tables of the Law. The Lord wishes me to be agent of a new miracle. He sends me as His servant for the glory of Israel to tear apart the darkness of an unbeliever. On the lips of the prophets Thou hast fulminated, o almighty God! To Assyria in mighty accents now speak Thou with my lips! And with psalms sacred to Thee every temple shall resound; over the shattered idols Thy law shall arise. Together with the Levite, he enters Fenena's apartments. LEVITES What can be wanted? Who can have summoned us to this dubious place now so late at night? ISMAELE entering The pontiff summons you ... LEVITES Ismaele! ISMAELE Brethren! LEVITES Oh, horror! Away! Begone! ISMAELE I implore your mercy! LEVITES Accursed of the Lord! He who is accursed has no brethren ... no man on earth vouchsafes him a word! Harsh lamentation everywhere arises, the wind carries it to the impious wretch's ears! On his brow, brilliant as the lightning flash, shines God's fatal brand! Poison is prepared for his lips in vain, vainly the dagger would pierce his heart! ISMAELE For love of the living God, have done with your curses! Fear is driving me mad! Oh, death, for pity's sake! LEVITES You are accursed of the Lord! He who is accursed has no brethren, etc. Accursed of the Lord! ISMAELE Ah, cease! Oh, death, for pity's sake! Zaccaria enters, accompanied by Fenena, Anna and the Levite. ANNA Oh, brethren, forgive! He saved a Hebrew maid! LEVITES Oh, what are you saying! ZACCARIA Raise psalms of thanksgiving to God everlasting! ... It is true! FENENA But what a tumult is mounting! ISMAELE, ZACCARIA, LEVITES Oh heaven, what can it be? Abdallo enters, out of breath. ABDALLO Royal lady, fly! That cry of ill omen announces the death of my King! FENENA Oh, father! ABDALLO Fly! The people now call for Abigail, and condemn these men here. FENENA Why do I tarry longer? I must not stay here! To the midst of the impious rebels I will hasten! ISMAELE, ABDALLO, ZACCARIA, LEVITES Stay! Oh, what a misfortune! The High Priest of Baal and Abigail enter, accompanied by soothsayers and a retinue. HIGH PRIEST Glory be to Abigail! Death to the Hebrews! ABIGAIL to Fenena Now render up that crown! FENENA I shall die first! Nabucco, carving himself a way through the confusion with his soldiers, throws himself between Abigail and Fenena, and, seizing the crown, sets it upon his own head. NABUCCO to Abigail Take it from my head! NABUCCO followed in order by ABIGAIL, ISMAELE, FENENA and then ZACCARIA, ANNA, ABDALLO, HIGH PRIEST, LEVITES (The moment of direst wrath is fast approaching; upon their silent faces terror already falls! All about the thunderbolts are poised ready to fall! A day of mourning and vexation is preparing!) NABUCCO Hear me now! Babylonians, I throw your god to the ground! He has rendered you traitors, he wished to take you from my power. Yours has fallen, oh foolish Hebrews, fighting against me. Hark to my words ... There is only one god ... your King! FENENA Heavens! HIGH PRIEST What have I heard! ZACCARIA, LEVITES Alas, foolish man! SOLDIERS Long live Nabucco! NABUCCO Now bow down your faces to the ground! Worship me - me, God! ZACCARIA Madman! May your insane pride be brought low … God will seize you by the hair of your head, already he is robbing you of your throne! NABUCCO Do you dare so much? Oh, loyal followers, let this old man be conducted to the foot of the idol. He shall perish with his people! FENENA A Hebrew - I will die with them! NABUCCO furious You lie! Oh, wretched girl, prostrate yourself before my image! FENENA I have embraced the Hebrew faith! NABUCCO seizing her by the arm Down! Prostrate yourself! I am king no more, I am God! There is a crash of thunder and a thunderbolt bursts above Nabucco. Terrified, he feels the crown being lifted from his head by supernatural forces. Dawning madness manifests itself in his every feature. ALL See how avenging heaven has struck the presumptuous man! NABUCCO Who is it that takes my royal sceptre from me? What horrid spectre is pursuing me? Who seizes me, alack, by the hair? Who is crushing me? ... Who lays me low? Oh my daughter! Do you even not help to support me in my weakness? Alas, I am surrounded by phantoms… they having flaming swords of fire! And the blood‑red sky has fallen upon my head! Ah, upon my head! Why, oh why did a tear start from my eye? Who will support me? ... I am fainting ... ZACCARIA Heaven has punished the boaster! ABIGAIL picking up the crown fallen from Nabucco's head But the greatness of the people of Baal shall not be eclipsed! PART III - The Prophecy The wild beasts of the desert shall dwell in Babylon, and the owls shall dwell therein. (Jeremiah) SCENE I The Hanging Gardens of Babylon Abigail is seated upon the throne with soothsayers and nobles at her feet. Near a huge golden statue of Baal stands the High Priest surrounded by his followers. Babylonian men, women and soldiers. NOBLES, SOOTHSAYERS, PEOPLE, SOLDIERS Assyria is a queen as powerful as Baal upon earth; she deals destruction everywhere, if the stranger challenge her to war. Now among the joys of peace, worthy reward of valour, she wilt pass her smiling days in happiness and love. Now among the joys of peace, just reward of valour, she will pass her smiling days in happiness and love, HIGH PRIEST Peerless lady, ruler of Assyria's fate, hear the prayers of your faithful subjects. The wicked children of Judah must all be destroyed, and, first and foremost, that woman, whom I dare not call your sister … She has betrayed Baal. He presents a decree to Abigail for her signature. ABIGAIL in feigned surprise What are you asking of me! ... But who comes here? Nabucco, poorly clothed and with dishevelled beard, now makes his appearance. The guards, with Abdallo at their head, make way respectfully before him. What presumptuous fellow is it that breaks my royal interdiction? Conduct the old man back to his apartments! NABUCCO his mind wandering Who dares raise his voice in the presence of Nabucco? ABDALLO respectfully Deign to follow me, my lord! NABUCCO Whither would you lead me? Let me be! This is the council chamber... Stay! Do you not see? They are awaiting me. Why do you support me? I am weak, it is true, but woe if anyone should know it! I wish everyone to think me still strong. Let go of me ... I will find my seat myself ... He advances towards the throne and prepares to mount it. Who is this woman? Oh, what effrontery! ABIGAIL descending from the throne Withdraw, loyal subjects! All withdraw. NABUCCO Woman, who are you? ABIGAIL Custodian of your throne I came hither! NABUCCO You? Of my throne? Ch, imposture! Were you commanded to do so by me? Oh, imposture! ABIGAIL You lay sick …The people cried out against the rebellious Hebrew; you must set your royal seal to their decree! showing him the decree Death is writ here for the wicked rebels. NABUCCO What are you saying? ABIGAIL Sign. NABUCCO (A thought troubles me!) ABIGAIL You refuse? Arise then, happy Hebrews! Lift up hymns of glory to your God! NABUCCO What is that I hear! ABIGAIL Seized with cowardly dismay, Nabucco is no longer himself! NABUCCO You lie! Let death, death be dealt to the whole of Israel! Give me the parchment! He sets the royal seal upon the parchment and returns it to Abigail. ABIGAIL Oh, what good fortune is mine! The last obstacle is surmounted! NABUCCO Oh! ... But what of Fenena? ABIGAIL Traitress! She has given herself to the false God! Oh, she shall die! She hands the parchment to two guards, who bear it away at once. NABUCCO trying to prevent her She is my flesh and blood! ABIGAIL No one can save her! NABUCCO Oh, horror! ABIGAIL Another daughter ... NABUCCO Bow low, slave, before your lord! ABIGAIL Fool! Here I wished to await you! Me, a slave? NABUCCO searching in his robe for the document, proof of Abigail's low birth Learn the truth! ABIGAIL Drawing forth the documen from her own bosom and tearing it in little pieces Thus do I return, miserable creature, the lying document to you! NABUCCO (Oh, what deep shame afflicts my grey hairs! In vain my failing hand flies to my once‑feared sword! Oh, wretched old man! You are but the shadow of the King!) ABIGAIL (Oh, day of long‑coveted glory, thou art come!) NABUCCO (Woe is me!) ABIGAIL (The throne is worth far more than a lost father!) NABUCCO (Ah!) ABIGAIL (At last the people will fall at the base slave's feet.) NABUCCO (Oh, wretched old man! I am but the pale shadow of the King! Oh, wretched old man, etc.) ABIGAIL (They will fall at my feet. Yes, they will fall at my feet, At last the people will fall, etc.) There is a sound of trumpets. NABUCCO What sound is that? ABIGAIL It is the death knell of the Hebrews you have condemned! NABUCCO Ho there, guards! I am betrayed! Guards, I say! Several guards present themselves. ABIGAIL Oh fool! Do you still oppose me? These guards I have kept in reserve solely for you, prisoner! NABUCCO Prisoner? ABIGAIL Yes ‑ of a slave who scorns your might! NABUCCO Prisoner? ABIGAIL Yes! NABUCCO Oh, pardon, oh, forgive a father who is mad! Oh, give me back my daughter; do not bereave a father! Then let the people of Assyria call you lady and queen! This old man asks nothing of you but the life of his heart's delight! ABIGAIL Be off! You beg grace ofme in vain, I am unmoved by your belated tears. NABUCCO Ah, forgive! ABIGAIL Such you were not, presumptuous old man, when you reserved dishonour for me. Such were you not, etc, NABUCCO Oh, pardon, oh, forgive a father who is mad! ABIGAIL It is useless! NABUCCO Oh, give me back my daughter, do not bereave a father! ABIGAIL I am unmoved by your belated tears. Begone! ... Madman! NABUCCO Their queen, their lady let the people of Assyria acclaim you! This old man only begs you for the life of his heart's delight! ABIGAIL It will be seen now, if the royal mantle ill becomes this slave! It will be seen now, if I besmirch the grandeur of Assyria! You beg grace of me in vain. Ah, no. NABUCCO Oh, pardon, oh, forgive a father who is mad! Oh, give me back my daughter, do not bereave a father! Oh, pardon, I ask nothing of you but the life of my heart's delight! Oh, forgive me! SCENE II The banks of the Euphrates HEBREWS in chains, at forced labour Fly, thought, on wings of gold; go settle upon the slopes and the hills, where, soft and mild, the sweet airs of our native land smell fragrant! Greet the banks of the Jordan and Zion's toppled towers. Oh, my country so lovely and lost! Oh, remembrance so dear and so fraught with despair! Golden harp of the prophetic seers, why dost thou hang mute upon the willow? Rekindle our bosom's memories, and speak of times gone by! Mindful of the fate of Jerusalem, either give forth an air of sad lamentation, or else let the Lord imbue us with fortitude to bear our sufferings! ZACCARIA coming upon the scene Oh, who is it that weeps? Who is it raises lamentations, as of timorous women, to the Everlasting? Oh, rise up, brothers in anguish, the Lord speaks from my lips. In the obscurity of the future I see… Behold, the shameful chains are broken! The wrath of the Lion of Judah already falls upon the treacherous sand! HEBREWS Oh, happy future! ZACCARIA To settle upon the skulls, upon the bones, hither come the hyenas and the snakes; midst the dust raised by the wind a doomed silence shall reign! The owl alone will spread abroad its sad lament when evening falls ... Not a stone will be left to tell the stranger where once proud Babylon stood! HEBREWS Oh, what a fire burns in the old man! The Lord speaks through his lips! Yes, the shameful fetters shall be broken, the courage of Judah is rousing already! PART IV - The Broken Idol Baal is confounded, his idols are broken in pieces. (Jeremiah) SCENE I An apartment in the palace Nabucco is fast asleep in a chair. NABUCCO awakens, panting These are my limbs! Through the woods was I not fleeing, painting like a hunted beast? Oh, it was a dream ... a terrible dream! Now, behold the cry of war! My sword, ho! My charger, that thirsts for battle as a young girl longs for dancing! Oh, my valiant troops, Zion, that proud city, see, towering here ... She must be ours, let her fall in ashes! VOICES off Fenena! NABUCCO From the lips of my faithful subjects my daughter's name falls! looking from the balcony See, she comes running between ranks of soldiers! Alas! Am I dreaming? Why are her hands bound in chains? ... She is weeping! VOICES off To death with Fenena! Thunder and lightning. Nabucco's face takes on a new expression. NABUCCO rushing to the doors one after the other and finding them locked Oh! I am a prisoner! Returning to the balcony, he stares fixedly down into the street God of the Hebrews, forgive me! falling to his knees Judah's God ‑ the altar, the Temple sacred to Thee shall rise again. Oh, rescue me from this terrible anguish and I will destroy my rites. Thou hearest me! ... The wicked wretch's sick and sinful mind is clearing already! Ah! True and omnipotent God, I will worship Thee from henceforth always. He rises and tries to force open a door. Open now, fatal door! ABDALLO entering, accompanied by soldiers My lord, where are you hastening? NABUCCO Let me be! ABDALLO You wish to go forth, so that your sick mind may be affronted? SOLDIERS We have come here to defend you! NABUCCO to Abdallo What are you saying? My mind is no longer deranged! Abdallo, my sword, my sword ... ABDALLO joyfully surprised To regain the throne here it is, oh King! NABUCCO I would save Fenena! ABDALLO, SOLDIERS The traitors shall fall, fall like locusts to the ground! Through you we shall see the sun shine upon Assyria once again! NABUCCO Follow me, my valiant men! Day opens to my mind, I burn with unaccustomed ardour, I am King of Assyria once more! At the flashing of this blade the wicked shall fall, fall to the ground! We shall see everything again resplendent in the sunlight of my crown. Let us go! We shall see everything shine bright in the gleaming sun of my crown. Come on, let's go. ABDALLO, SOLDIERS Through you we shall see it shine bright, come, we shall see it shine bright, the sun above Assyria. Come on, let's go. SCENE II The Hanging Gardens The High Priest of Baal is standing by a sacrificial altar. Fenena and other Hebrews condemned to die are brought in to the lugubrious strains of a funeral march. Funeral march Fenena kneels before Zaccaria. ZACCARIA Go, win the palm of martyrdom, go and win it, oh pure young maid! You have been too long in exile. Your country is in heaven! Hasten! FENENA Oh, the firmament is opened up! My soul longs for the Lord ... He smiles upon me and reveals to me hundred upon hundred of joys everlasting! Oh, splenclour of the stars, farewell! God floods me with His holy light! From this mortal body that, heavy as lead, detains us here, my soul escapes already and wings its way to heaven! VOICES off Long live Nabucco! ANNA, FENENA, ISMAELE, ZACCARIA, HEBREWS What cry is that? VOICES off Long live Nabucco! HIGH PRIEST Let the rite be consummated! NABUCCO comes running, blood‑stained sword in hand, followed by Abdallo and soldiers Stop, wicked wretches! Soldiers, shatter the baneful idol, like dust to the ground! The idol falls of itself and shatters to pieces. ANNA, FENENA, ISMAELE, ABDALLO, ZACCARIA, HEBREWS Divine miracle! NABUCCO Oh, return once more, Israel, return to the delights of thy native land! Let a new Temple be raised to thy God… He alone is great, mighty is He alone! ALL falling to their knees Great Jehovah … FENENA, ISMAELE, NABUCCO, ZACCARIA ... who has not felt Thy might? ALL Who is not as dust ... FENENA, ISMAELE, NABUCCO, ZACCARIA ... in Thy sight? ZACCARIA Almighty Jehovah, who has not felt Thy might? ALL THE REST Jehovah! ZACCARIA Who is not as dust in Thy sight? THE REST Ah! Great and almighty Jehovah! FENENA, ISMAELE, NABUCCO, ZACCARIA Doest Thy rainbow span the firmament? All things are radiant. ALL Dost Thou unleash the thunderbolt? Man is as naught. ZACCARIA Great Jehovah, who has not felt Thy might? Who is not as dust in Thy sight, in Thy sight? THE REST Jehovah, ah, great and almighty Jehovah! Abigail enters, supported by two soldiers. NABUCCO Oh, whom do I see? ALL Why does the wretched girl now drag herself hither? ABIGAIL to Fenena To me ... faint ... dying ... let your pardon be vouchsafed! Fenena, I was to blame ... I am punished for it now! to Ismaele Come! These two loved one another ... to Nabucco May they place their hopes in you! Who will now relieve me of the iron burden of my crime? to the Hebrews Ah! You have said, oh people: "God lifts up the afflicted." HEBREWS "God lifts up the afflicted." ABIGAIL I implore Thee, oh God, Thee I do revere… Let me not be damned! HEBREWS "God will lift up!" ABIGAIL Let me not be damned! She collapses and dies. HEBREWS She is dead! ZACCARIA to Nabucco Servant of Jehovah, you shall be king of kings.