Oh Hope, thou wilt not let the star of sorrowing love be dimm'd for ever! Oh come, sweet Hope, show me the goal, However, however far forsake it will I never, forsake it will I never, forsake it I will never, etc.] "But, Rocco, instead of digging a grave for the poor man, to whom we go, couldst thou not set him free?" she begged. "Not I, my boy. It would be as much as my life was worth. I have not been permitted even to give him food. He is nearly dead from starvation already. Try to think as little as you can of the horrors of this place. It is a welcome release for the poor fellow." "But to have a father-in-law who has committed a murder," Fidelio shuddered, trying to prevail upon Rocco by this appeal. But he sang: [Music: My good lad, thou need'st not fear, Of killing, of killing him I shall be clear, Yes, yes, I shall be clear, My lord himself, my lord himself will do the deed.] "Nay, do not worry--you'll have no murderer for a father-in-law. Our only business is to dig the man's grave." In spite of herself Leonora wept. "Come, come. This is too hard for thee, gentle boy. I'll manage the business alone." "Oh, no! No! I must go. Indeed I am not afraid. I must go with thee," she cried. While she was thus distracted, in rushed Marcelline and Jaquino. "Oh, father! Don Pizarro is frantic with rage. You have given the prisoners a little light and air, and he is raging about the prison because of this. What shall we do?" Rocco thought a moment. "Do nothing! He is a hard man, I--" At that moment Pizarro came in. "What do you mean by this? Am I governing this prison or are you?" "Don Pizarro," Rocco spoke calmly. "It is the King's birthday, and I thought it might be politic for you to give the prisoners a little liberty, especially as the Minister was coming. It will look well to him." At that Pizarro was somewhat appeased, but nevertheless he ordered the men back to their cells. It was a mournful procession, back to dungeon darkness. As they went they sang: [Music: Farewell, thou warm and sunny beam, How soon thy joys have faded, How soon thy joys have faded!] While they were singing, Rocco once more tried to soften Pizarro's heart. "Wilt thou not let the condemned prisoner live another day, your highness?" The request enraged Pizarro still more. "Enough! Now have done with your whimpering. Take that youth of thine who is to help, and be about the job. Go! and let me hear no more." With that awful voice of revenge and cruelty in her ears, the unhappy Leonora followed Rocco to the dungeons, to dig her husband's grave. ACT II