Deconstructing O,

[Aurelius]

Actually Mobius, you may be interested to know that Mozart wrote that more than 200 years ago, in Don Giovanni. Although I don't suppose that would stop A L Webber from his usual recycling.

Seeing a young and coquettish soprano (as Zerlina usually is) singing this at the opera is very sweet indeed Trust me, they're not ALL fat ladies

Batti, batti, o bel Masetto,
La tua povera Zerlina;
Staro' qui come angellina,
Le tue botte ad aspettar.
Lasciero' stracciarmi il crine;
Lasciero' stracciarmi gli occhi;
E le care tue manine
Lieta poi sapro baciar.
Ah! lo vedo, non hai core!
Pace, pace, o mia!
In contenti, ed allegria,
Notte e di vogliam passar.

IN ENGLISH TRANSLATION:
Beat me, beat me, dear Masetto,
Beat Zerlina at your will;
Like the patient lamb I'll suffer,
Meek and mute, and loving still.
Rend those locks you praised so highly;
From your arms Zerlina cast;
These fond eyes in rage extinguish
Fondly still they'll look their last.
Ah! I see, love, you're relenting-
Pardon, kneeling, I implore you!
Night and day, to you devoted,
here I vow to err no more.