← Joseph II. and His Court: An Historical Novel

Joseph II. and His Court: An Historical Novel — Page 1

English → It CHAPTER I. Level 7/10

THE CONFERENCE.

LA CONFERENZA.

In the council-chamber of the Empress Maria Theresa, the six lords, who composed her cabinet council, awaited the entrance of their imperial mistress to open the sitting.

Nella sala del consiglio dell'imperatrice Maria Teresa, i sei nobili, che componevano il suo consiglio di gabinetto, attendevano l'ingresso della loro sovrana imperiale per aprire la seduta.

At this sitting, a great political question was to be discussed and its gravity seemed to be reflected in the faces of the lords, as, in low tones, they whispered together in the dim, spacious apartment, whose antiquated furniture of dark velvet tapestry corresponded well with the anxious looks of its occupants.

In questa seduta, doveva essere discussa una grande questione politica e la sua gravità sembrava riflettersi sui volti dei nobili, mentre, a bassa voce, si sussurravano nell'ampio e fioco appartamento, il cui antiquato arredamento di tappezzeria in velluto scuro si accordava bene con gli sguardi ansiosi dei suoi occupanti.

In the centre of the room stood the Baron von Bartenstein and the Count von Uhlefeld, the two powerful statesmen who for thirteen years had been honored by the confidence of the empress.

Al centro della stanza si trovavano il Barone von Bartenstein e il Conte von Uhlefeld, i due potenti uomini di stato che per tredici anni erano stati onorati dalla fiducia dell'imperatrice.

Together they stood, their consequence acknowledged by all, while with proud and lofty mien, they whispered of state secrets.

Stavano insieme, la loro importanza riconosciuta da tutti, mentre con portamento fiero e altero si sussurravano segreti di stato.

Upon the fair, smooth face of Bartenstein appeared an expression of haughty triumph, which he was at no pains to conceal; and over the delicate mouth of Von Uhlefeld fluttered a smile of ineffable complacency.

Sul viso chiaro e liscio di Bartenstein apparve un'espressione di altero trionfo, che egli non si curava affatto di nascondere; e sulle labbra delicate di Von Uhlefeld aleggiava un sorriso di ineffabile compiacenza.

"I feel perfectly secure," whispered Von Bartenstein. "The empress will certainly renew the treaties, and continue the policy which we have hitherto pursued with such brilliant results to Austria."

«Mi sento perfettamente sicuro,» sussurrò Von Bartenstein. «L'imperatrice rinnoverà certamente i trattati, e continuerà la politica che abbiamo finora perseguito con risultati così brillanti per l'Austria.»

"The empress is wise," returned Uhlefeld. "She can reckon upon our stanch support, and so long as she pursues this policy, we will sustain her."

«L'imperatrice è saggia,» rispose Uhlefeld. «Può contare sul nostro fermo sostegno, e finché perseguirà questa politica, la sosterremo.»

Vocabulary

LA
The (feminine singular definite article).
CONFERENZA
Conference or meeting for discussion.
Nella
In the (contraction of 'in' and 'la').
sala
Room or hall for meetings.
del
Of the (contraction of 'di' and 'il').
consiglio
Council or advice.
dell
Of the (contraction of 'di' and 'il').
imperatrice
Empress or female ruler.
sei
Six or are (second person singular).
nobili
Nobles or noble persons.
che
That or which (relative pronoun).
componevano
Composed or made up (imperfect).
il
The (masculine singular definite article).
suo
His or her (possessive adjective).
di
Of or from (preposition).
gabinetto
Cabinet or office of officials.
attendevano
Waited or awaited (imperfect).
ingresso
Entrance or entry.
della
Of the (feminine singular).
loro
Their (possessive adjective).
sovrana
Sovereign or female ruler.
imperiale
Imperial or of the empire.
per
For or in order to.
aprire
To open or begin.
seduta
Session or sitting.
In
In or within (preposition).
questa
This one (feminine demonstrative).
doveva
Had to or was supposed (imperfect).
essere
To be (infinitive).
discussa
Discussed (feminine past participle).
una
A or one (feminine indefinite article).
grande
Great or large.
questione
Question or matter.
politica
Political or policy.
sua
His or her (feminine possessive).
gravità
Gravity or seriousness.
sembrava
Seemed or appeared (imperfect).
riflettersi
To be reflected or shown.
sui
On the (contraction of 'su' and 'i').
volti
Faces or countenances.
dei
Of the (plural masculine).
mentre
While or meanwhile.
bassa
Low or soft (feminine).
voce
Voice or sound.
si
Oneself or reflexive pronoun.
sussurravano
Whispered (imperfect).
nell
In the (contraction).
ampio
Spacious or wide.
fioco
Dim or faint.
appartamento
Apartment or residence.
cui
Whose or which (relative pronoun).
antiquato
Antiquated or old-fashioned.
arredamento
Furnishings or furniture.
tappezzeria
Upholstery or tapestry.
velluto
Velvet or soft fabric.
scuro
Dark or dim.
accordava
Matched or suited (imperfect).
bene
Well or good.
con
With (preposition).
gli
The (masculine plural article).
sguardi
Looks or gazes.
ansiosi
Anxious or worried.
suoi
His or her (plural possessive).
occupanti
Occupants or inhabitants.
Al
At the (contraction).
centro
Center or middle.
stanza
Room or chamber.
trovavano
Found or were located (imperfect).
Barone
Baron or nobleman.
Conte
Count or earl.
due
Two or pair.
potenti
Powerful or strong.
uomini
Men or male persons.
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