"Pray tell me."
"None other than Rigoletto!" the Duke cried, laughing more boisterously. "What do you think of that—the little hunchback!"
"And does he know that you have followed this sweetheart of his?"
"Not he. But look at all of these beautiful women," he exclaimed with delight as the company began to assemble from another room. "Alas, a man hardly knows whom to love among so many beauties," he sighed heavily. "But after all, I think it must be the Countess Ceprano! do you see her? Most beautiful!"
"Just the same I advise you not to let the Count Ceprano hear you!" Borsa advised.
|
Ah, in my heart, all are equally cherished, Every thought of exclusion within me I smother, None is dearer to me than another, In their turn, I for each one would die, |
the Duke sang gaily, giving his friend and servant the wink.
Now, Rigoletto was in the habit of assisting the Duke in all his wrongdoing, and on this night the Duke confided to him his new enchantment—not Gilda, but the Countess Ceprano.
"The Countess has a jealous husband, Rigoletto; pray what do you advise?"
"Why, that you carry her off, to be sure; or else get rid of her husband the Count; maybe that would be the easiest way."