MAR. and GIU. (bowing). Servitori umilissimi! Per chi questi fiori— Questi fiori bellissimi? GIRLS. Per voi, bei signori O eccellentissimi! (The Girls present their bouquets to Marco and Giuseppe, who are overwhelmed with them, and carry them with difficulty.) MAR. and GIU. (their arms full of flowers). O ciel'! O ciel'! GIRLS. Buon' giorno, cavalieri! MAR. and GIU. (deprecatingly). Siamo gondolieri. (To Fia. and Vit.) Signorina, io t' amo! GIRLS. (deprecatingly). Contadine siamo. MAR. and GIU. Signorine! GIRLS (deprecatingly). Contadine! (Curtseying to Mar. and Giu.) Cavalieri. MAR. and GIU. (deprecatingly). Gondolieri! Poveri gondolieri! CHORUS. Buon' giorno, signorine, etc. DUET—MARCO and GIUSEPPE. We're called gondolieri, But that's a vagary, It's quite honorary The trade that we ply. For gallantry noted Since we were short-coated, To beauty devoted, Giuseppe\Are Marco and I; When morning is breaking, Our couches forsaking, To greet their awaking With carols we come. At summer day's nooning, When weary lagooning, Our mandolins tuning, We lazily thrum. When vespers are ringing, To hope ever clinging, With songs of our singing A vigil we keep, When daylight is fading, Enwrapt in night's shading, With soft serenading We sing them to sleep. We're called gondolieri, etc. RECITATIVE—MARCO and GIUSEPPE. MAR. And now to choose our brides! GIU. As all are young and fair, And amiable besides, BOTH. We really do not care A preference to declare. MAR. A bias to disclose Would be indelicate— GIU. And therefore we propose To let impartial Fate Select for us a mate! ALL. Viva! GIRLS. A bias to disclose Would be indelicate— MEN. But how do they propose To let impartial Fate Select for them a mate?