[left that other site]

Rigoletto is one of my favorite operas. I like Verdi better than Puccini , but Puccini is no slouch either.

The Duke of Mantua is a perfect skunk, and could very well be Bill Clinton’s hero! :-)

[Publius]

It's a measure of Victor Hugo's story, "The King's Jester," that the only honest man in the entire story is a hit man, a contract killer. Pay him, give him directions, and he'll do what you ask.

But what you ask may not be what you intended.

[Kaslin]

It's mine too.

Italian Lyrics of "La donna e mobile"

La donna è mobile

Qual piuma al vento,

Muta d'accento — e di pensier.

Sempre un amabile,

Leggiadro viso,

In pianto o in riso, — è menzognero.

È sempre misero

Chi a lei s'affida,

Chi le confida — mal cauto il cuore!

Pur mai non sentesi

Felice appieno

Chi su quel seno — non liba amore!

La donna è mobile

Qual piuma al vento,

Muta d'accento — e di pensier,

E di pensier,

E di pensier!

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English Translation

Woman is fickle

Like a feather in the wind,

She changes her voice — and her mind.

Always sweet,

Pretty face,

In tears or in laughter, — she is always lying.

Always miserable

Is he who trusts her,

He who confides in her — his unwary heart!

Yet one never feels

Fully happy

Who on that bosom — does not drink love!

Woman is fickle

Like a feather in the wind,

She changes her voice — and her mind,

And her mind,

And her mind!