[CELLINI, spoken]
As I stand here, ready for eternity, I have a thousand joys to look back on
And only three regrets:
One—that I die without having slit yon Maffio's throat
Two—that the statue of my nymph, my masterpiece, remains unfinished
Three—that I leave this earth without ever having kissed the lips of Angela
That divine Angela
Whose fair form and spirit inspired my unfinished masterpiece
(sung)
Beyond these three regrets, I have no regrets

Therе was life, there was lovе, there was laughter
These I've known, so I know no despair
Heaven or hell, who can tell what comes after?
This I know: Of joys I've had my share
And so, unflinching I face the shadows
And if the future sings this glad refrain:
"He lived life, he loved love, he laughed laughter"
I've not lived or loved or laughed in vain

[ALL]
And so, unflinching he'll face the shadows

[CELLINI]
And so I face the shadows
[ALL]
And if the future sings this glad refrain:

[CELLINI]
And when the future sings this glad refrain:

[CELLINI & ALL]
"He lived life, he loved love, he laughed laughter"

[ALL]
He's not lived or loved or laughed in vain

[CELLINI]
I've not lived or loved or laughed in vain

[MAGISTRATE, spoken]
Very nice, Cellini. One minute left. 

[CELLINI, spoken]
In his last moment you see before you a true son of Florence. I have here my will, written only a few minutes ago, and when you hear it you will learn how great my love is for my native city and you, my brothers. 

[LAWYER]
I, Benvenuto Cellini, goldsmith, sculptor, jewel-setter
Craftsman to kings and queens—and better—
Bequeath ten thousand ducats to the citizenry
[ALL, spoken]
Hooray!

[LAWYER]
To erect in the Palazzo Vecchio—a statue of me
The balance of my estate I bequeath to the Committee
For Perpetuating the Beauty of Our City
To maintain a Cellini Foundation that will keep alive
My memory for the generations yet to arrive
These monuments to Florence's greatest son
Will make our city a city second to none

[ALL, spoken]
Hooray!

[MAGISTRATE, spoken]
TIme's up!

[HANGMAN starts to put the noose around CELLINI's neck]

[ALL]
There was life, there was love, there was laughter
These he's known, so why should he despair

[CELLINI, noose around his neck]
When I rot matter not, what comes after
This I know: Of joy I've had my share
[ALL]
And so, unflinching he'll face the shadows
And if the future sings this glad refrain:
"He lived life, he loved love, he laughed laughter"—

[A commotion is heard and on rushes OTTAVIANO]

[OTTAVIANO, spoken]
Stop! Stop! Halt the halter!

[MAFFIO, spoken]
What is this?
(sung)
Why halt the halter
For this murderous assaulter?

[OTTAVIANO, spoken, waves document]
A pardon! A pardon from the Duke!

[ALL]
A pardon! A pardon! A pardon!

[OTTAVIANO, spoken, reads]
I, Alessandro the Wise, Duke of Florence, having suddenly been reminded that the nymph designed for me by Benvenuto Cellini is unfinished, although practically paid for in full, do hereby pardon him until such time as the statue is completed. Signed, Alessandro the Wise, Duke of Florence. 

[ALL, spoken]
Hooray!
(sung)
Hail, Cellini!
Hail, Cellini!

[CELLINI]
O lucky world, I live to create!
Saint Peter's portals will have to wait

[ALL]
Our happiness we cannot contain
What's heaven's loss is Florence's gain!

[SOUVENIR MAN]
Souvenirs! Hurry, hurry, hurry, get your souvenirs!
Souvenirs of the pardon of Cellini!
The greatest pardon of the season!

[MAFFIO starts to back away but draws sword. CELLINI snatches a sword from someone nearby and rushes after MAFFIO.]

[ALL]
If you're bent on viewing
Something doing
Come to Florence
Highly temperamental
Are the gentle
Men of Florence
Blood is always spilling
Life is thrilling
Here in Florence
Everything warrants
Our singing of Florence
So Florence, we're singing of you
Everything warrants
Our singing of Florence
So Florence, we're singing of you