Finale.
Alfio. Unto all of you, greeting!
Chorus. Neighbor Alfio, greeting!
Turiddu.
(To Alfio.)
Hearty welcome!
Now join with us in revel.
(Fills a glass for him.)
Look you! drink you this measure!
Alfio. Thank you! but I must refuse the offer!
A cup of deadly poison perhaps you proffer!
Turiddu. Then suit your pleasure!
(Throws away the wine.)
Lola. Ah me! what now befalls!
(Some of the women consult together, and then approach Lola, saying:)
Neighbor Lola, come, haste away from here!
(Exit, all the women, with Lola.)
Turiddu.
(To Alfio.)
Perhaps you have something to tell me!
Alfio. I? nothing!
Turiddu. Then hear me!
You will find me at your service!
Alfio. This moment?
Turiddu. This moment!
(They embrace, Turiddu bites Alfio's ear, viciously.)
Alfio. Neighbor Turiddu, you give a ready challenge!
And I accept it! you understand me!
Turiddu. Neighbor Alfio!
I own thou shouldst have vengeance,
And I admit, in the name that is holy,
That I should be dealt with as a dog, by thee!
But, shouldst thou kill me—if I perish
By thine arm—yes, if I perish,—
Unhappy Santa, she whom I have cherished—
Lone, unhappy Santa, my dagger
Will embed within thy heart!
Alfio. Good neighbor, act upon it as may suit you!
You will find me yonder in the orchard.
(Exit.)
Turiddu.
(Calling.)
My mother!
(Enter Lucia.)
Mother! the wine-cup too freely passes!
Exciting, crazing!
Too many cups I have been drinking!
——I must leave you, good mother!
But first let me ask for a kindly blessing,
As on that day when I became a soldier.
And, mother, hear me—and heed it:
If I return not, thou unto my Santa
Must be a kindly mother!
Santa, whom I promised I would lead to the altar!
—If I return—
Lucia. Why say you this to me?
What is it? tell me!
Turiddu. Ha—nothing!
'Tis wine—that I have drunk so freely.
—For me oh! pray to heaven,
That I may be forgiven!
One kiss, one kiss, my mother!
And yet—and yet another!
Farewell!
(Rushes off, desperately.)
Lucia. Turiddu! Ah!
(Retires to back of stage, crying.)
(Enter, Santuzza.)
Santuzza!
Santuzza. Ah! good mother!
(Throws her arms around Lucia's neck.)
(People crowd upon the stage.)
(Excitement and agitation.)
(Enter a woman in the distance crying, "Neighbor Turiddu is murdered.")
(Several women hastily enter, terrified. One of them shrieks—)
"Neighbor Turiddu is murdered."
(All rush upon the stage.)
All. Ah!
(Santuzza falls; swooning. Lucia faints, and is supported by some of the women.)
THE CURTAIN FALLS RAPIDLY.