SCENE XII
 
 
Silla enters, with Aufidio, followed by senators, people and soldiers while the following chorus is sung.
 
 
No. 17 Chorus
 
 
Chorus
 
     
 
    Even as fame surrounded thy head
 
 
when thou stoodst in combat against a thousand armies,
 
 
so let love here crown
 
 
the redoutable brow.
 
 
Part of the chorus
 
     
 
    May that unvanquished arm embrace
 
 
the one thou dost adore.
 
 
The entire chorus
 
     
 
    Let the warrior's wreath of laurel
 
 
with myrtles be enhanced.
 
 
(Giunia enters among the senators.)
 
 
Recitative
 
 
Silla
 
 
Patrician and Senators, I who have fought for Rome,
 
 
I who have conquered for Rome,
 
 
I who by my valour stifled
 
 
the torch of civil strife, I who through my works now behold peace
 
 
reign along the Tiber,
 
 
I desire some reward for all my triumphs.
 
 
Giunia
 
 
(Help, eternal gods!)
 
 
Silla
 
 
You surely know
 
 
the former baneful hate
 
 
which prevailed betwixt Marius and Silla. This is the day
 
 
on which I forget it all. With his daughter
 
 
may the sacred bond unite me. And this sweet covenant
 
 
may soothe the father's shade. A ruler,
 
 
a Roman, in spite of glory and the laurel wreath,
 
 
seeks only this reward for all his toil.
 
 
Giunia
 
 
(The Senate keeps silent and with its silence approves
 
 
the will of the tyrant.)
 
 
Silla
 
 
Senators, I do perceive
 
 
in your countenances
 
 
common consent.
 
 
The joyful cries that echo round about
 
 
are a sure token of public opinion.
 
 
Follow me, now, to the altar…
 
 
Giunia
 
 
Forbear, wretch!
 
 
Do Rome and the Senate stoop
 
 
to such cowardice? Does some rascally, insane
 
 
fear compel you to favour the shameful villainies
 
 
of a godless man? No, none among you,
 
 
not one
 
 
who has a Roman heart in his breast…
 
 
Silla
 
 
Be silent. 'Twere wiser to give me thy hand.
 
 
Aufidio
 
 
That is the desire of all the people.
 
 
I speak on their behalf.
 
 
Silla
 
 
Come, follow me…
 
 
Giunia
 
 
(Makes to stab herself.)
 
 
Approach me not,
 
 
else this iron shall pierce my breast.
 
 
Silla
 
 
Take from this proud woman
 
 
the blade and she shall do my bidding.
 
 
SCENE XIII
 
 
Cecilio with drawn sword; the aforementioned.
 
 
Recitative
 
 
Cecilio
 
 
My bride, have no fear.
 
 
Silla
 
 
(Whom do I see?)
 
 
Giunia
 
 
(Oh God!)
 
 
Aufidio
 
 
(Cecilio?)
 
 
Silla
 
 
In this wise
 
 
am I betrayed by you? In defiance of my ban
 
 
and the laws
 
 
Cecilio has returned, and with Giunia at his side
 
 
he ventures to seek the ruler's life.
 
 
Bind that criminal!
 
 
Giunia
 
 
(Imprudent one!)
 
 
My lord…
 
 
Silla
 
 
Be silent! Wretch!
 
 
I feel only rage.
 
 
(To Cecilio.)
 
 
At sunrise,
 
 
traitor, shalt thou die.
 
 
SCENE XIV
 
 
Cinna with drawn sword; the aforementioned.
 
 
Recitative
 
 
Silla
 
 
What? Cinna?
 
 
With drawn sword,
 
 
confused and undecided?…
 
 
Cinna
 
 
(Oh heaven! All is lost.
 
 
Some way I seek
 
 
out of this disastrous plight.) To my astonishment
 
 
did I see how Cecilio, with drawn sword,
 
 
did make his way
 
 
through the throng. His proud,
 
 
threatening eye, his fury caused me
 
 
to fear treachery.
 
 
Thee from this murderous hand to deliver and to defend
 
 
did I draw my sword.
 
 
Silla
 
 
Go, friend, to discover
 
 
if other faithless…
 
 
Cinna
 
 
Upon my loyalty depend,
 
 
o master. Fear naught.
 
 
(Nearly did I lose myself in the violent encounter.)
 
 
(Exit.)
 
 
Silla
 
 
Bring here the traitor,
 
 
Aufidio, disarm him.
 
 
Giunia
 
 
Oh God! Withhold.
 
 
Cecilio
 
 
So long I have the sword,
 
 
so long I know what makes thee tremble.
 
 
Silla
 
 
Is this the measure
 
 
of thy arrogance?
 
 
Giunia
 
 
(Oh gods!)
 
 
Silla
 
 
Surrender thy sword
 
 
else I…
 
 
Cecilio
 
 
Thou dost hope in vain.
 
 
Giunia
 
 
Surrender it, o dearest one.
 
 
Cecilio
 
 
Doth my bride instruct me
 
 
to be cowardly?
 
 
Giunia
 
 
Defy him not!
 
 
Cecilio
 
 
What wilt thou?…
 
 
Giunia
 
 
A proof
 
 
of thy regard.
 
 
Cecilio
 
 
Must I?…
 
 
Giunia
 
 
Thou needs must
 
 
place thy trust in my constancy and heaven's favour,
 
 
and hope. Shouldst thou still cherish doubt, my love,
 
 
thou dost offend the righteous gods
 
 
and thy bride.
 
 
Cecilio
 
 
(Rage consumes me.)
 
 
(To Giunia.)
 
 
Content thyself.
 
 
(He drops the sword.)
 
 
Take it! – Barbarian.
 
 
Silla
 
 
Into the darkest dungeon
 
 
cast him! But a brief while yet
 
 
shall I suffer thee to breathe the vital breath
 
 
which thou hast forfeited.
 
 
In chains
 
 
thou too, deceitful jade,
 
 
shalt rue thy bold treason.
 
 
No. 18 Trio
 
 
Silla
 
     
 
    This criminal temerity
 
 
I shall know today how to subdue.
 
 
Cecilio
 
     
 
    Give over thy hope, villain,
 
 
thus would I act at any time again.
 
 
Giunia
 
     
 
    Here, o my husband, a pledge
 
 
that I shall die at thy side.
 
 
Silla
 
     
 
    Godless pair, your hands
 
 
are fit for chains alone.
 
 
Giunia and Cecilio
 
     
 
    If my dearest treasure loves me,
 
 
I shall walk gladly to my death.
 
 
a tre
 
 
Silla
 
     
 
    This constancy undaunted,
 
 
this love so true,
 
 
maddens my heart,
 
 
inflames me.
 
 
Giunia and Cecilio
 
     
 
    My constancy undaunted,
 
 
my love so true,
 
 
sweetly comforts my heart
 
 
and leaves me free of fear.
 
 
 
 
End of the second act.