best days.
ARMIDA:
(Entering holding an arrow in her hand)
Finally, he’s in my power.
This fatal enemy, this superb conqueror.
Sleep’s charm delivers him to my vengeance.
I am going to pierce his invincible heart.
Because of him all my captives have left slavery.
Let him experience my rage.
(Armida is going to strike Renaud and cannot carry out the plan she has of taking his life.)
What trouble seizes me! What makes me hesitate?
What is it in his favor that pity wishes to tell me?
Let’s strike—heavens! Who can stop me?
Let’s get it over with—I am shivering!
Let’s avenge ourselves—I’m sighing!
Is this the way I ought to avenge myself today!
My rage flickers out when I approach him!
The more I see him, the more vain my fury;
My trembling arm refuses to obey my hate.
Ah! what cruelty to ravish life from him!
To this young hero all on earth give in.
Who would believe he was only fit for war?
He seems to be made for love.
Can’t I avenge myself in a way so he need not perish?
Eh! Won’t it suffice that love punish him?
Since he’s been unable to find my eyes charming enough,
Let him love me, at least, through my enchantments.
So that, if possible, I will hate him.
Come, Demons, second my wishes.
Transform yourselves into agreeable zephyrs.
I give in to this conqueror: pity overcomes me.
Hide my weakness and my shame
In deserted places.
Fly, escort us to the ends of the universe.
(The demons, transformed into zephyrs, carry off Renaud and Armida.)
CURTAIN
ACT III
The stage represents a desert.
ARMIDA:
(alone) Ah! if liberty must be ravished from me,
Is it you who must be my conqueror?
Most funereal enemy to the happiness of my life,
Despite me, must you then reign in my heart?
The desire for your death was my dearest wish;
How have you been able to change my wrath into languishing?
Vainly do I see a thousand lovers following me.
None has softened my severity.
Can it be that Renaud holds Armida enslaved?
Ah! if liberty must be ravished from me
Is it you who must be my conqueror?
Most funereal enemy of the happiness of my life,
Despite me, must you then reign in my heart?
PHENICIA:
(entering) What can’t your art do? Its power is intense.
What a prodigy! What a change!
Renaud who was so proud loves you.
No one has ever loved so tenderly.
SIDONIA:
Show yourself to his eyes; witness yourself
The marvelous effect of your enchantment.
ARMIDA:
Hell hasn’t yet completed my hope.
A new charm is needed to assure my vengeance.
SIDONIA:
On shores separated from human dwellings.
Who can snatch from your hands
An enemy who adores you?
You enchant Renaud:
what remains for you to fear?
ARMIDA:
Alas! It’s my heart that I fear for.
Your friendship interests itself in my fate.
I’ve taken you with me into these parts.
From the rest of mortals I am hiding my weakness;
I only intend to blush before your eyes.
From my softest looks Renaud was able to defend himself.
I was unable to entangle this proud heart to surrender.
He escaped me despite my efforts.
Under the name of spite love came to surprise me,
As I was protecting myself the least.
The more Renaud loves me the less at peace I will be.
I fear that to force my heart to obey me
All my art will be useless.
PHENICIA:
How fine your art is! It will be admired.
If it knows how to guarantee against the upsets of life!
Happy those who can be assured
Of disposing of their heart at their will!
It’s a secret worthy of being envied.
But of all secrets, it’s the least known.
SIDONIA:
Hate
