Armida & Amadis & Roland. Philippe Quinault

me from love: nothing is so formidable

      Against an enemy too lovable.

      Give me back my wrath, re-ignite my furor.

      Come, come, implacable hate,

      Leave the appalling abyss,

      Where you cause eternal horror to rule.

      (Hate leaves Hell accompanied by the Furies, Cruelty, Vengeance, Rage, and the passions which depend on hate.)

      HATE:

      I answer your wishes: your voice made itself heard

      Into the depth of Hell.

      For you, I am going to undertake everything against love.

      And when one really wants to be protected from it,

      One can be guaranteed proof against its unworthy fetters.

      HATE AND HER FOLLOWING:

      The more one knows love

      The more one detests it:

      Let’s destroy its funereal power.

      Let’s break its bonds, let’s tear its chain,

      Let’s burn its fetters, let’s extinguish its torch.

      (The chorus repeats the last four verses)

      (Hate’s suite rushes to break and burn the arms employed by love.)

      HATE AND HER FOLLOWING:

      Love, leave forever, leave a heart that chases you out.

      May Hate reign in your place.

      You cause too much suffering under your rule!

      No, all Hell has nothing so cruel as you.

      (Hate’s followers demonstrate pleasure as she prepares to triumph over love.)

      HATE:

      (coming close to Armida)

      Get out, get out of Armida’s breast:

      Love, break your chain.

      ARMIDA:

      Stop, stop, horrid Hate.

      Leave me under the rule of such a charming conqueror.

      Leave me alone:

      I renounce your horrifying assistance.

      No, no, don’t finish, no it is not possible

      To separate me from my love without tearing out my heart.

      HATE:

      Did you implore my assistance

      So as to scorn my power?

      Follow Love, since you wish to.

      Unlucky Armida;

      Follow love who is guiding you

      Into a horrifying abyss.

      On these remote shores, it’s in vain that you are hiding

      This hero that your heart is too weak to touch.

      Glory which you tore him from

      Will soon tear him from you.

      Despite your efforts, scorning your tears,

      You will see him escape from your charms.

      You will, perhaps, recall me that day,

      And your attempt will be vain.

      I am going to leave you without return

      And I am able to punish you with the harshest pain:

      That of abandoning you forever to love.

      CURTAIN