GILDA
Giovanna, I am ashamed...


GIOVANNA
Whatever for?


GILDA
I said nothing of the youth
Who followed us...


GIOVANNA
Why tell him? Do you dislike

This young man, then?

GILDA

No, no, be is too handsome
And I could be tempted to love him.


GIOVANNA
And he seems generous, a fine gentleman.


GILDA
I hope he's not a gentleman or a prince;
I think I should love him more if he were poor.

Sleeping and waking, I call to him,
And my soul in ecstasy cries...


DUKE
I love you!
I love you! Speak those dear words once more

And a heaven of joy will open before me!

GILDA

Giovanna? Alas! There is no one here
To answer me! Oh, God! No one?


DUKE
I am here, and my very soul answers you.
Ah, two who love are a world in themselves!


GILDA
Who, whoever brought you here to me?


DUKE
Whether angel or devil, what does it matter?

I love you!

GILDA

Leave me.

DUKE

Leave you? Now?...
Now that both of us burn with a single fire!
Ah, the god of love has bound

Our destinies together, inseparably!

Love is the sunshine of the soul, 'tis life itself!

Its voice is the beating of our hearts.
Fame and glory, power and thrones,
Are but fragile, earthbound things beside it.

One thing alone is unique, divine:
'Tis love that bears us heavenwards!
So let us love, my angel?

Woman you would make me the envy of all mankind.

GILDA

(Ah, these are the tender, Ionged? for words
I have heard in my maiden dreams!)


DUKE
You love me, say it once again.


GILDA
You eavesdropped...


DUKE
How happy you've made me!

GILDA
Tell me your name...

Am I permitted to know it?


DUKE
My name is ...

Walter Maldè.
I am a student, and poor...

GIOVANNA
I can hear footsteps outside!


GILDA
My father, perhaps...

DUKE

(Ah, if I should catch
The traitor
Who cost me such a chance!)

GILDA
Show him out

Through the garden gate... Go now

DUKE
Tell me, will you love me?

GILDA
And you?


DUKE
For the rest of my life... then...

GILDA
No more, no more ... you must go.


TOGETHER
Farewell... my heart and soul
Are set on you alone.
Farewell ... my love for you
Will last for ever.