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.