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TAMERLANO<br />
Tosto ad Asteria un nappo,<br />
e al basso impiego<br />
davanti al suo signor pieghi il ginocchio<br />
dell’orgoglio ottoman l’unica erede.<br />
ANDRONICO<br />
Ingiusto!<br />
BAJAZET<br />
Temerario!<br />
ASTERIA<br />
(Numi, che al cor voi m’ispirate il colpo, voi lo<br />
guidate.)<br />
Bevi, superbo, bevi,<br />
e in questo nappo che ti porge Asteria<br />
d’ambizion l’immensa sete estingui.<br />
IRENE<br />
Tamerlan, ferma il sorso.<br />
TAMERLANO<br />
Ancora qui la temeraria? E come?<br />
Chi ti concesse tanto ardire?<br />
IRENE<br />
Irene. Sappi ch’entro quel nappo<br />
sta la morte tua: sappi che Asteria<br />
v’infuse incauta un dono,<br />
che se vien da sua man, certo è veleno,<br />
Sappi che parla Irene, e Irene io sono.<br />
TAMERLANO<br />
Tu Irene?<br />
BAJAZET<br />
Ah! Che mia figlia<br />
perduta ha la vendetta e la difesa.<br />
TAMERLANO<br />
Siedi, Irene. E tu iniqua,<br />
il cui pallor già fece rea, che dici?<br />
ASTERIA<br />
Bevi Tamerlan, vano sospetto<br />
non dee fermar di regio labbro i sorsi.<br />
TAMERLANO<br />
Give Asteria a wine-cup,<br />
and in performing this lowly service,<br />
let the sole heir of the proud Turk<br />
bend the knee before her lord.<br />
ANDRONICO<br />
This is an injustice!<br />
BAJAZET<br />
Outrageous!<br />
ASTERIA<br />
(You gods who inspired me to strike this blow, guide my hand.)<br />
Drink, mighty lord, drink,<br />
and in this cup which Asteria brings you<br />
may the vast thirst of your ambition be slaked.<br />
IRENE<br />
Tamerlane, do not drink it.<br />
TAMERLANO<br />
This brazen woman again? How did she get in here?<br />
Who gave you leave to be so bold?<br />
IRENE<br />
Irene. Heed my words: that cup<br />
contains your death. Listen to me: Asteria<br />
has slipped into your drink a gift.<br />
Coming from her hand, it can only be poison.<br />
Know that it is Irene who speaks, and I am Irene.<br />
TAMERLANO<br />
You are Irene?<br />
BAJAZET<br />
Alas! My daughter has lost<br />
her chance of revenge, and her last line of defence.<br />
TAMERLANO<br />
Be seated, Irene. And you, evil woman,<br />
your pallor already declares your guilt, what have you to say?<br />
ASTERIA<br />
Drink, Tamerlane! Foolish suspicions<br />
should not prevent royal lips from drinking<br />
TAMERLANO<br />
No, che sei disperata: o padre o amante<br />
me n’assicuri pria.<br />
Fa’ che l’assaggi l’uno o l’altro, e bevo.<br />
TAMERLANO<br />
No – you are a desperate woman. Either your father or your<br />
Lover must convince me first.<br />
Let one of them taste it, and then I will drink.<br />
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