This very minute. I was on my way to you to show you something when, passing near a tavern, all at once I heard a fiddle.... Oh, my dear Salieri! You never in your life heard anything so funny.... Than blind fiddler in a pothouse playing Voi сhe sapete. Marvelous! I simply had to bring him here to have you enjoy his art. — Step in! Enters a blind old man with a violin. Some Mozart, please! The old man plays the aria from «Don Giovanni»; Mozart roars with laughter. Salieri And you can laugh? Mozart Oh, come, can't you? Salieri I cannot. I am not amused by miserable daubers who make a mess of Raphael's Madonna; I am not amused by despicable zanies whose parodies dishonor Alighieri. Be off, old man. Mozart Wait; here's some money for you — you'll drink my health. The old man goes out. It seems to me, Salieri, You're out of sorts to-day. I'll come to see you some other time. Salieri What have you brought? Mozart Oh, nothing — a trifle. My insomnia last night was troubling me, and one or two ideas entered my head. Today I dashed them down. I wanted your opinion; but just now you're in no mood for me. Salieri Ah, Mozart! Mozart! When is my mood averse to you? Sit down. I'm listening. Mozart (at the piano) I want you to imagine… Whom shall we say?… well, let's suppose myself a little younger — and in love — not deeply, but just a little — sitting with a damsel or with a bosom friend — yourself, let's say — I am merry.... All at once: a ghostly vision, a sudden gloom, or something of the sort.... Well, this is how it goes. He plays. Salieri You were bringing this, and you could stop to linger at a tavern and listen to a blind man with a fiddle! Ah, Mozart, you are unworthy of yourself. Mozart You like it, do you? Salieri What profoundity! What daring and what grace! Why, you're a god, and do not know it; but I know, I know. Mozart What, really? Maybe so… If so His Godhead is getting to be hungry. Salieri
