[CELLINI]
I had just been pardoned and peacefully
Was pushing my way through the crowd
When I saw three villainous fellows glaring
Dark and beetle-browed
There was Maffio on one side
His henchmen on the other
But being of those
Who love repose
My rage I had to smother

Well, sure enough
The boys got tough
At me the three of 'em sprang
But Cellini’s sword is a noted one
And when it started to clang
I quickly got rid of the henchmen
And the murder they tried to promote
And as for Mister Maffio
I drove my sword through his throat

[EMILIA squeals.]

What else could I do?
Three of them attacked me
And three of them are gory
And there they lie
And here am I—
And that's my story
[NARRATOR, spoken]
Just then, a rap upon the door
It's Angela, Cellini’s... girl
Cellini was a sculptor who'd insist his models modeled n***
So there they'd sit without a slip
While he carved them chip by chip
Angela, his current flame
Asks about his latest shame

[ANGELA, spoken]
You're in trouble again?

[CELLINI, spoken]
Let me tell you all about it. 

(sung)
I had just been pardoned and peacefully
Was pushing my way through the crowd
When I saw five villainous fellows glaring
Dark and beetle-browed
There was Maffio on one side
His henchmen on the other
But being of those
Who love repose
My rage I had to smother
Well, sure enough
The boys got tough
At me the six of 'em sprang
But Cellini's sword is a noted one
And when it started to clang
I quickly got rid of the henchmen
And the murder they tried to promote
And as for Mister Maffio
I drove my sword through his throat
It's still there, I've no doubt
I strove in time with all my strength
But I couldn’t pull it out

[ANGELA squeals.]

Eight of them attacked me
And eight of them are gory
And there they lie
And here am I—
And that’s my story

[ANGELA, spoken]
The Duke will never forgive you!

[CELLINI, spoken]
Then posterity will never forgive the Duke. Men like myself don't happen twice. 
[ANGELA, spoken]
But he’ll kill you! Aren't you afraid?

[CELLINI, spoken]
I don't have to be, Angela, believe me. That statue is a better armor to me than any Duke's pardon. My nymph—our nymph, Angela. 

[ANGELA, spoken]
I suppose you want to work. Shall I disrobe?

[CELLINI, spoken]
Disrobe! Must I only see you when I have a chisel in my hand? Can you not think of me as a man as well as an artist?

[ANGELA, spoken]
I, I don’t know, master. 

[CELLINI, spoken]
And don't call me master. Call me Benvenuto. 

[ANGELA, spoken]
Benvenuto. 

[CELLINI, spoken]
Again. 

[ANGELA, spoken]
Benvenuto. 

[CELLINI, spoken]
Oh, Angela, Angela! That one word from your lips makes me forget that I am a violent and dreadful man, bathed in the blood of mine enemies—

[ANGELA, spoken]
I had almost forgotten your danger!

[CELLINI, spoken]
Do not interrupt me when I'm speaking well. 

[ANGELA, spoken]
I'm sorry. 

[CELLINI, spoken]
No, it's me who's sorry. Believe me, I never make a beautiful thing without thinking of you. 

[ANGELA, spoken]
You're very complimentary today. 

[CELLINI, spoken]
You like it?

[ANGELA, spoken]
Almost as much as she did. 

[CELLINI, spoken]
Who?

[ANGELA, spoken]
The lady you said the same thing to last Thursday. The one with the great legs. 

[CELLINI, spoken]
Oh, damn it! Simply and truly: I love you. I think you very beautiful.