The tragedy of war even in Victory at the cost of human life is often best...(More)

The tragedy of war even in Victory at the cost of human life is often best understood by the soldiers themselves. In this video the sound of Pavarotti singing this haunting Aria against the backdrop of the aftermath of the English victory at Agincourt heightens the awareness that the joy of victory is tempered by the sadness and tragedy of taking so many human lives. Pavarotti sings "Che gelida manina" - an Aria from La Bohème by Puccini. Ironically by Contrast an Aria is actually a love song not a tragedy per se even though the music and tone seems to fit the recognition of the cost of victory by the soldiers and King Henry V. Here is the actual translation of the Aria: Che gelida manina (What a frozen little hand) se la lasci riscaldar.(let me warm it for you.) Cercar che giova? (What's the use of looking?) Al buio non si trova. (We won't find it in the dark.) Ma per fortunaBut (luckily) é una notte di luna, (it's a moonlit night), e qui la lunaand (the moon) l'abbiamo vicina. (is near us here.) Aspetti, signorina, (Wait, mademoiselle,) le dirò con due parole (I will tell you in two words) chi son, e che faccio, (who I am, what I do,) come vivo. Vuole? (and how I live. May I?) Chi son? Sono un poeta. (Who am I? I am a poet.) Che cosa faccio? Scrivo. (What do I do? I write.) E come vivo? Vivo. (And how do I live? I live.) In povertà mia lieta (In my carefree poverty) scialo da gran signore rime ed inni d'amore. (I squander rhymes and love songs like a lord.) Per sogni e per chimere (When it comes to dreams and visions) e per castelli in aria, (and castles in the air,) l'anima ho milionaria. (I've the soul of a millionaire.) Talor dal mio forziere (From time to time two thieves) ruban tutti i gioelli (steal all the jewels) due ladri, gli occhi belli. (out of my safe, two pretty eyes.) V'entrar con voi pur ora,(They came in with you just now,) ed i miei sogni usati (and my customary dreams) e i bei sogni miei, (my lovely dreams,) tosto si dileguar! (melted at once into thin air!) Ma il furto non m'accora, (But the theft doesn't anger me,) poiché, poiché v'ha preso stanza (for their place has been) la speranza! (taken by hope!) Or che mi conoscete, (Now that you know all about me,) parlate voi, deh! Parlate. Chi siete? (you tell me who you are.) Vi piaccia dir! (Please do!) Translation by Peter J. Nasou (pnasou@erols.com)(Less)