You’re Far Too Near Me

Lyrics

[ANGELA, spoken] I think you're very handsome.  [CELLINI] Angela! I never heard you so bold before [ANGELA] The words came out They're now beyond recall [CELLINI] I always found you so cold before [ANGELA] I didn't think you thought of me at all [CELLINI] I'm mad about your smile, your eyes, your hair Your every wish I'm eager to obey In all your loveliness I see you sitting there So near, so near—yet miles and miles away Miles and miles away [ANGELA] I'm afraid that's near enough When you talk to me like that I don't know whеre I am at I'm afraid, afraid you're far too near mе So I pray you, stay you where you are For, oh dear me, I fear me Should you come too near me My heart may go too far But to think, to think that you might leave me Makes me feel I have to have you know I'm afraid, afraid you're far too near me To ever, ever let you go I'm afraid, afraid you're far too near me To ever let you go [CELLINI] You can never, never be too near me! From today you stay you where you are When from heaven you descended 'Twas never intended I worship from afar If you ever, ever dare to leave me No excuse for living would I know I'm afraid, afraid you're far too near me To ever, ever let you go I'm afraid, afraid you're far too near me To ever let you go [ANGELA, spoken] No, no, I can't. I'm frightened.  [CELLINI, spoken] Of what? Of me? [ANGELA, spoken] No. Just frightened! [CELLINI, spoken] But you can't be frightened of nothing.  [ANGELA, spoken] I can be and I am! [CELLINI, spoken] It's impossible.  [ANGELA, spoken] I swear it. I give you my word of honor! Oh, Benvenuto. What do you suppose it can mean? [CELLINI, spoken] That you love me, Angela.  [ANGELA, spoken] But I— [CELLINI, spoken] You love me.  [ANGELA, spoken] But I thought when you were in love you felt wonderful. And if this is love I don't want to be in love because I hate being frightened. And I won't be and I want you to stop it this very minute! [CELLINI, spoken] Stop what? [ANGELA, spoken] I don't know. But stop it.  [CELLINI, spoken] Angela! Ask me anything, anything at all except to stop being near you.  [ANGELA] I'm afraid, afraid you're far too near me [CELLINI] You can never, never be too near me! [ANGELA] So I pray you, stay you where you are [CELLINI] From today you stay you where you are [CELLINI, ANGELA] When from heaven you descended For, oh dear me, I fear me 'Twas never intended Should you come too near me I worship from afar My heart may go too far [ANGELA] But to think, to think that you might leave me [CELLINI] If you ever, ever dare to leave me [ANGELA] Makes me feel I have to have you know [CELLINI] No excuse for living would I know [ANGELA & CELLINI] I'm afraid, afraid you're far too near me To ever, ever let you go I'm afraid, afraid you're far too near me To ever let you go [NARRATOR, spoken] At this point our pair embraces As an unfamiliar face is Peering round the studio door A man we've never seen before It's a French marquis whose name's Pierre He says Cellini must beware The Duke of Florence seems to know About the fight with Maffio This will mean a teeny-weeny Spot of bother for Cellini Pierre, by chance, has got the answer Come and see the King of France, a Lover of your work, big fan He's obviously a cultured man So here's the choice: go there to sculpt Or stay in Florence and get pulped He'll go to France and see le roi But first Pierre asks: "Pourquoi?" [CELLINI, spoken] Let me tell you all about it.