Lyrics 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

Britten: Billy Budd, Op. 50 / Act 1 - O Beauty, O Handsomeness Goodness

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