Maria Callas: Vogliatemi bene

Maria Callas as Madama Butterfly Vogliatemi bene, un bene piccolino, un bene da bambino quale a me si conviene, vogliatemi bene. Noi siamo gente avvezza alle piccole cose umili e silenziose, ad una tenerezza sfiorante e pur profonda come il ciel, come l'onda del mare. Pinkerton Dammi ch'io baci le tue mani care. [bursts out very tenderly] Mia Butterfly! come t'han ben nomata tenue farfalla... [at these words Butterfly's face clouds over and she withdraws her hands] Butterfly Dicon ch'oltre mare se cade in man dell'uom, [with an expression of fear] ogni farfarla da uno spillo è trafitta [with anguish] ed in tavola infitta!.. Pinkerton [taking her hands again gently, and smiling] Un po' di vero c'è. E tu lo sai perchè? Perchè non fugga più. [with ardour and embracing her affectionately] Io t'ho ghermita... Ti serro palpitante. Sei mia. Butterfly [throwing herself into his arms] Sì, per la vita. Pinkerton Vieni, vieni... [Butterfly draws back, as though ashamed of having been too bold] Via dall'anima in pena l'angoscia paurosa. [points to the starlit sky] È notte serena! Guarda: dorme ogni cosa! Butterfly [looking at the sky, enraptured] Ah! Dolce notte!.. Pinkerton Vieni, vieni... Butterfly Quante stelle! / Non le vidi mai sì belle! | Pinkerton \ È notte serena! Ah! vieni, vieni. È notte serena!.. Guarda: dorme ogni cosa! Butterfly Dolce notte! Quante stelle! Pinkerton Vieni, vieni! Butterfly Non le vidi mai sì belle! Pinkerton Vieni, vieni! Butterfly Trema, brilla ogni favilla Pinkerton Vien, sei mia!... Butterfly col baglior d'una pupilla. Oh! / Oh! quanti occhi fisi, attenti | d'ogni parte a riguardar! | pei firmamenti, | via pei lidi, via pel mare... | Pinkerton [with amorous desire] | Via l'angoscia dal tuo cor! | Ti serro palpitante. | Sei mia. | Ah! Vien, vien sei mia | ah! vieni, guarda: \ dorme ogni cosa!.. Ti serro palpitante. Ah, vien! Butterfly Ah! quanti occhi fisi, attenti! quanti sguardi! Pinkerton Guarda: dorme ogni cosa: / Ah! vien! ah! vieni, vieni! | Ah! vien, ah! vien, sei mia! | ah! vien! | Butterfly | ride il ciel! | Ah! Dolce notte! | Tutto estatico d'amor \ ride il ciel! h, love me a little, oh, just a very little, As you would love a baby 'Tis all that I ask for. Ah, love me a little I come of a people accustomed to little; Grateful for love that's silent; Light as a blossom And yet everlasting As the sky, as the fathomless ocean. Pinkerton Give me your darling hands that I may kiss them [bursts out very tenderly] My Butterfly! aptly your name was chosen, Gossamer creation... [at these words Butterfly's face clouds over and she withdraws her hands] Butterfly They say that in your country If a butterfly [with an expression of fear] is caught by man, He'll pierce its heart with a needle, [with anguish] And then leave it to perish! Pinkerton [taking her hands again gently, and smiling] Some truth there is in that, And can you tell me why? That you may not escape. [with ardour and embracing her affectionately] See, I have caught you... I hold you as you flutter. Be mine. Butterfly [throwing herself into his arms] Yes, yours forever. Pinkerton Come, then, come then... [Butterfly draws back, as though ashamed of having been too bold] Love, what fear holds you trembling. Have done with all misgivings. [points to the starlit sky] The night doth enfold us! See the world lies sleeping! Butterfly [looking at the sky, enraptured] Ah! Night of rapture! Pinkerton Come then, come then. Butterfly Stars unending! / Never have I seen such glory! | Pinkerton \ The night doth enfold us! Ah! hasten, hasten! The night enfolds us!.. See the world lies sleeping! Butterfly Night of rapture! Stars unending! Pinkerton Hasten, hasten! Butterfly Never have I seen such glory! Pinkerton Hasten, hasten! Butterfly Throbbing, sparkling, each star in heaven, Pinkerton Come, my dearest! Butterfly like a fiery eye is flashing. Oh! / Oh! how kindly are the heavens, | Ev'ry star that shines afar! | Is gazing on us, lighting our future for us... | Pinkerton [with amorous desire] | Cast all fear from out your heart! | Close to my heart I hold you. | You're mine now, | ah! come, come you are mine now | Ah! come then, see the \ whole world lies a-sleeping!.. Close to my heart I hold you, come! Butterfly Oh how kindly are the heavens on us shining! Pinkerton See the world lies a-sleeping. / Ah! come! ah, come then, dearest! | Ah! come, come then, be mine | ah come! | Butterfly | see the stars! | Ah, lovely night! | Thy perfect calm is breathing love | near and far!