Page "Madama Butterfly" Paragraph 20

22.

Ah!

M ’ ha scordata?

(" Ah!

He has forgotten me ?").

Butterfly shows Sharpless her child, and Sharpless asks if Pinkerton knows.

Butterfly replies, " No. The child was born when he was away in his big country.

" She asks Sharpless to write and tell him that his son waits for him.

" And then we shall see if he does not hurry over land and sea!

" Butterfly kneels in front of her son and asks him, " Do you know that that gentleman had dared to think that your mother would take you in her arms and walk to town, through the wind and rain, to earn your bread and clothes.

And she would stretch out her arms to the pitying crowd, crying ‘ Listen!

Listen to my sad song, For an unhappy mother, your charity.

Take pity!

And Butterfly – oh, horrible destiny – will dance for you!

And as she used to do, the Geisha will sing for you.

And her joyful, happy song will end in a sob!

" She kneels in front of Sharpless and says that she will never do that, " that trade which leads to dishonor.

Death!

Death!

Never more to dance!

Rather would I cut short my life!

Ah!

Death!