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ALICE Oftentimes man falls into the trap set by his own malice. FALSTAFF My dear Mister Ford, now tell me: the fool – who is it? FORD (indicating Caius) He. CAIUS (indicating Ford) You. FORD No. CAIUS Yes. BARDOLPH (indicating Ford and Caius) You two.
FENTON (indicating Ford and Caius) They. CAIUS (joining Ford) We. FALSTAFF Both. ALICE (moving Falstaff over to join the other two) No. All three. (to Ford, indicating Nannetta and Fenton) Turn, now; behold their joyous confusion. NANNETTA Forgive us, dear father. FORD If a man can’t escape his trouble, he had best accept it gracefully. I accept my new family – and may Heaven bring you joy. ALL (except Caius) Hurrah!
This section is Track 12 on the CD of music excerpts. Here is both the original Italian and English translation. FALSTAFF Un coro e terminiam la scena.
FALSTAFF A chorus to finish the play!
FORD Poi con Sir Falstaff tutti andiamo a cena.
FORD And then to dinner – all of us – with Sir John Falstaff!
TUTTI Evviva!
ALL Hurrah!
FALSTAFF Tutto nel mondo è burla. L’uom è nato burlone...
FALSTAFF All the world’s a prank, and man is born a clown...
TUTTI Tutto nel mondo è burla. L’uom è nato burlone, nel suo cervello ciurla sempre la sua ragione. Tutti gabbati! Irride l’un l’altro ogni mortal, ma ride ben chi ride la risata final.
ALL All the world’s a prank, and man is born a clown. Within his addled head his brains are in a churn. We all are fools! And every man laughs at the others’ folly. But he laughs best who has the last laugh.
Fine dell’opera
End of the opera