Chapter 6

(A physicians room, richly furnished.)

HOFFMAN (alone).

Come! Courage and confidence; I become a well of science. I must turn with the wind that blows, To deserve the one I love. I shall know how to find in myself The stuff of a learned man. She is there... if I dared.

(He softly lifts the portiere.)

'Tis she! She sleeps... how beautiful! Ah! together live... both in the same hope, The same remembrance Divide our happiness and our sorrow, And share the future. Let, let my flame Pour in thee the light, Let your soul but open To the rays of Love. Divine hearth! Sun whose ardor penetrates And comes to kiss us. Ineffable desire where one's whole being Melts in a single kiss. Let, let my flame, etc., etc.

(Nicklausse appears.)

NICKLAUSSE.

By Jove, I felt sure you'd be here.

HOFFMAN (letting portiere fall).

Chut.

NICKLAUSSE.

Why? 'tis there that breathes The dove who's now your amorous care, The beautiful Olympia? Go, my child, admire!

HOFFMAN.

Yes, I adore her!

NICKLAUSSE.

Want to know her better.

HOFFMAN.

The soul one loves is easy to know.

NICKLAUSSE.

What? by a look... through a window?

HOFFMAN.

A look is enough to embrace the heavens.

NICKLAUSSE.

What warmth!... At least she knows that you love her.

HOFFMAN.

No.

NICKLAUSSE.

Write her.

HOFFMAN.

I don't dare.

NICKLAUSSE.

Poor lamb! Speak to her.

HOFFMAN.

The dangers are the same.

NICKLAUSSE.

Then sing, to get out of the scrape.

HOFFMAN.

Monsieur Spalanzani doesn't like music.

NICKLAUSSE (laughing).

Yes, I know, all for physics! A doll with china eyes Played cleverly with a fan, Nearby a little cock in brass; Both sang in unison In a marvelous way, Danced, gossiped, seemed to live.

HOFFMAN.

Beg your pardon. Why this song?

NICKLAUSSE.

The little cock shining and smart, With a very knowing air, Three times on himself turned; By some ingenious wheels, The doll in rolling its eyes Sighed and said: "I love you."

CHORUS OF THE INVITED GUESTS.

No, no host, really, Receives more richly Through good taste his house shines; Everything here matches. No, no host really Receives more richly.

SPALANZANI.

You will be satisfied, gentlemen, in a moment.

(He makes sign to Cochenille to follow him and exits with him.)

NICKLAUSSE (to Hoffman).

At last we shall more nearly see this marvel Without equal!

HOFFMAN.

Silence... she is here!

(Enter Spalanzani conducting Olympia.)

SPALANZANI.

Ladies and gentlemen, I present to you My daughter Olympia.

THE CHORUS.

Charming. She has beautiful eyes! Her shape is very good! See how well apparelled! Nothing is wanting! She does very well!

HOFFMAN.

Ah, how adorable she is!

NICKLAUSSE.

Charming, incomparable!

SPALANZANI (to Olympia).

What a success is thine!

NICKLAUSSE (taking her all in).

Really she does very well.

THE CHORUS.

She has beautiful eyes, Her shape is very good, See how well apparelled, Nothing is really wanting; She does very well.

SPALANZANI.

Ladies and gentlemen, proud of your applause, And above all anxious To conquer more, My daughter obedient to your least caprice Will, if you please...

NICKLAUSSE (aside).

Pass to other exercises.

SPALANZANI.

Sing to a grand air, following with the voice, Rare talent The clavichord, the guitar, Or the harp, at your choice!

COCHENILLE (at the rear).

The harp!

BASS VOICE (in the wings).

The harp!

SPALANZANI.

Very good, Cochenille! Go quickly and bring my daughter's harp!

(Cochenille exits).

HOFFMAN (aside).

I shall hear her... oh joy!

NICKLAUSSE (aside).

Oh, crazy passion!

SPALANZANI (to Olympia).

Master your emotion, my child!

OLYMPIA.

Yes.

COCHENILLE (bringing the harp).

There!

SPALANZANI (sitting beside Olympia).

Gentlemen, attention!

COCHENILLE.

Attention!

THE CHORUS.

Attention!

OLYMPIA (accompanied by Spalanzani).

The birds in the bushes. In the heavens the orb of day, All speaks to the young girl Of love, of love! There! The pretty song, There! The song of Olympia, Ha!

THE CHORUS.

'Tis the song of Olympia!

OLYMPIA.

All that sings and resounds Has its sighs in turn, Moves its heart that trembles With love. There. The little song, There, there, The song of Olympia, Ha!

CHORUS.

'Tis the song of Olympia.

HOFFMAN (to Nicklausse).

Ah, my friend, what an accent.

NICKLAUSSE.

What runs!

(Cochenille has taken the harp and all surround Olympia. A servant speaks to Spalanzani).

Come gentlemen! your arm to the ladies. Supper awaits you!

THE CHORUS.

Supper! That's good...

SPALANZANI.

Unless you would prefer To dance first.

THE CHORUS (with energy).

No! no! the supper... good thing... After we'll dance.

SPALANZANI.

As you please...

HOFFMAN (approaching Olympia).

Might I dare...

SPALANZANI (interrupting).

She is a bit tired, Wait for the ball.

(He touches Olympia's shoulder.)

OLYMPIA.

Yes.

SPALANZANI.

You see. Until then Will you do me the favor To keep company with my Olympia?

HOFFMAN.

Oh happiness!

SPALANZANI (aside, laughing).

We'll see what kind a story he'll give her.

NICKLAUSSE (to Spalanzani).

Won't she take supper?

SPALANZANI.

No.

NICKLAUSSE (aside).

Poetic soul!

(Spalanzani goes behind Olympia. Noise of a spring is heard. Nicklausse turns around.)

What did you say?

SPALANZANI.

Nothing, physics! ah, monsieur, physics!

(He conducts Olympia to a chair. Goes out with guests).

COCHENILLE.

The supper awaits you.

THE CHORUS.

Supper, supper, supper awaits us! No, really, no host Receives more richly!

(They go out.)

HOFFMAN.

They are at last gone. Ah, I breathe! Alone, alone, the two of us (approaching Olympia); I have so many things to say, Oh my Olympia! Let me admire you! With your charming looks let me intoxicate myself.

(He touches her shoulder).

OLYMPIA.

Yes.

HOFFMAN.

Is it not a dream born of fever? I thought I heard a sigh escape your lips!

(He again touches her shoulder).

OLYMPIA.

Yes.

HOFFMAN.

Sweet avowal, pledge of our love, You are mine, our hearts are united forever! Ah! understand you, tell me, this eternal joy Of silent hearts. Living, with but one soul and with same stroke of wing, Rush up to heaven! Let, let, my flame Show you the light of day! Let your soul open To the rays of love.

(He presses Olympia's hand. She rises and walks up and down, then exits.)

You escape me?... What have I done. You do not answer?... Speak! Have I wounded you? Ah! I'll follow your steps!

(As Hoffmann is about to rush out Nicklausse appears.)

NICKLAUSSE.

Here, by Jove, moderate your zeal! Do you want us to drink without you?...

HOFFMAN (half crazy).

Nicklausse, I am beloved by her. Loved! By all the gods.

NICKLAUSSE.

By my faith If you knew what they are saying of your beauty!

HOFFMAN.

What can they say? What?

NICKLAUSSE.

That she is dead.

HOFFMAN.

Great Heavens!

NICKLAUSSE.

Or is not of this life.

HOFFMAN (exalted).

Nicklausse! I am beloved by her! Loved! By all the gods.

COPPÉLIUS (entering, furious).

Thief! brigand! what a tumble! Elias is bankrupt! But I shall find the opportunity To revenge myself... Robbed!... Me! I'll kill somebody.

(Coppelius slips into Olympia's room.)

(Everybody enters.)

SPALANZANI.

Here come the waltzers.

COCHENILLE.

Here comes the round dance.

HOFFMAN.

'Tis the waltz that calls us.

SPALANZANI (to Olympia).

Take the hand of the gentleman, my child.

(Touching her shoulder.)

Come.

OLYMPIA.

Yes.

(Hoffman takes Olympia and they waltz. They disappear on left.)

CHORUS.

She dances! In cadence. 'Tis marvelous, Prodigious, Room, room, She passes Through the air Like lightning.

THE VOICE OF HOFFMAN (outside).

Olympia!

SPALANZANI.

Stop them!

THE CHORUS.

Who of us will do it?

NICKLAUSSE.

She will break his head.

(Hoffman and Olympia re-appear. Nicklausse rushes to stop them.)

A thousand devils!

(He is violently struck and falls in an arm chair.)

THE CHORUS.

Patatra!...

SPALANZANI (jumping in).

Halt!

(He touches Olympia on the shoulder. She stops suddenly. Hoffman, exhausted, falls on a sofa).

There!

(To Olympia) Enough, enough, my child.

OLYMPIA.

Yes.

SPALANZANI.

No more waltzing.

OLYMPIA.

Yes.

SPALANZANI (to Cochenille).

You, Cochenille, Take her back.

(He touches Olympia.)

COCHENILLE (pushing Olympia).

Go on, Go!

OLYMPIA.

Yes.

(Going out, slowly, pushed by Cochenille.)

Ha, ha, ha, ha, ha, ha, ha!

THE CHORUS.

What can we possibly say? 'Tis an exquisite girl, She wants in nothing, She does very well!

NICKLAUSSE (dolorous voice, pointing to Hoffman).

Is he dead?

SPALANZANI (examining Hoffman).

No! in fact His eye glass is broken. He is reviving.

THE CHORUS.

Poor young man!

COCHENILLE (outside).

Ah!

(He enters, very agitated.)

SPALANZANI.

What?

COCHENILLE.

The man with the glasses... there!

SPALANZANI.

Mercy! Olympia!...

HOFFMAN.

Olympia!...

(Sound of breaking springs with much noise).

SPALANZANI.

Ah, heaven and earth, she is broken!

HOFFMAN.

Broken!

COPPÉLIUS (entering).

Ha, ha, ha, ha, yes. Smashed!

(Hoffman rushes out. Spalanzani and Coppélius go at each other, fighting.)

SPALANZANI.

Rascal!

COPPÉLIUS.

Robber!

SPALANZANI.

Brigand!

COPPÉLIUS.

Pagan!

SPALANZANI.

Bandit!

COPPÉLIUS.

Pirate!

HOFFMAN (pale and terror stricken).

An automaton, an automaton.

(He falls into an armchair. General laughter.)

THE CHORUS.

Ha, ha, ha, the bomb has burst, He loved an automaton.

SPALANZANI (despairingly).

My automaton.

ALL.

An automaton, Ha, ha, ha, ha!