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.