Britten: Billy Budd, Op. 50 / Act 1 - O Beauty, O Handsomeness Goodness - Forbes Robinson, Orchestra of the Royal Opera House, Covent Garden, Sir Georg Solti

O beauty, o handsomeness, goodness

Would that I never encountered you!

Would that I lived in my own world always

In that depravity to which I was born

There, I found peace of a sort

There, I established an order such as reigns in hell

But alas, alas!

The light shines in the darkness

And the darkness comprehends it and suffers

O beauty, o handsomeness, goodness

Would that I’d never seen you!

Would that I’d never seen you!

Having seen you, what choice remains to me?

None!

None!

I am doomed to annihilate you

I am vowed to your destruction

I will wipe you off the face of the earth!

Off this tiny floating fragment of earth

Off this ship where fortune has led you

First, I will trouble your happiness

I will mutilate and silence the body where you dwell

It shall hang from the yardarm

It shall fall into the depths of the sea

And all shall be as if nothing had been!

No, you cannot escape

With hate and envy, I am stronger than love

So may it be!

So may it be!

O beauty, o handsomeness, goodness

You are surely in my power tonight

Nothing can defend you!

Nothing can defend you!

Nothing!

Nothing!

Nothing!

So may it be!

So may it be!

For what hope remains if love can escape?

If love still lives and grows strong

Where I cannot enter

What hope is there in my own dark world for me?

No!

I cannot believe it!

No!

That were torment too keen!

I, John Claggart, master-at-arms upon the Indomitable, have you in my power

And I will destroy you

I will destroy you