Luther is a brave man, Tire la laire, Tire lan la. 'Tis to-morrow that we poison him, Tire lan laire, Tire lan la. His cellar is a goodly spot, Tire lan laire. 'Tis to-morrow we will make it hot, Tire lan laire, Tire lan la. NICKLAUSSE. Very good, indeed. At least we are pruned With reason and practical sense! Away with languorous hearts. NATHANAEL. Let's wager that Hoffmann's in love. HOFFMANN. What then? NATHANAEL. You need not blush, I imagine Our friend Wilhelm who's there, Burns for Leonor and finds her divine. Hermann loves Gretchen and I am near ruined For the Fausta. HOFFMANN (to Wilhelm). Yes, Leonor, thy virtuose. (To Hermann.) Yes, Gretchen, thy doll inert, of icy heart. (to Nathanael.) And thy Fausta, poor insensate, The courtezan with front of brass. NATHANAEL. Morose spirit, Many thanks for Fausta, Gretchen and Leonore!... HOFFMANN. Pish. They are all alike. NATHANAEL. Then your mistress is such a treasure That you despise so much our own? HOFFMANN. My mistress, no, no, say rather three Charming trio of enchantresses. Who are dividing my days. Would you like the story of my crazy loves?... CHORUS. Yes, yes! NICKLAUSSE. What are you saying of three mistresses? HOFFMANN. Smoke!... Before this dead pipe is relighted You will have comprehended, You who in this play where my heart was consumed In good sense took the first prize! (All the students go to their places.) CHORUS. Listen. It is nice to drink, To the telling of a crazy tale, While following the fragrant cloud, That a pipe throws in the air. HOFFMANN (sitting on corner of table). I begin. CHORUS. Silence. HOFFMANN. The name of the first was Olympia... (The curtain falls as Hoffmann is speaking.) ACT II. (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.