Dear bird, lovely and melodious

First aria:

Dear bird, lovely and melodious,

you are sighing for the hill and the meadow,

and yet you are, in bonds of gold,

sweetly imprisoned.

Recitative:

Indeed, without ever stopping,

and with your wings and feet always

in constant circles,

lovely bird, you are turning around, and your songs

seem like notes of joy and are really laments.

Second aria:

I understand you, songful little bird,

you are mourning your enslavement,

and you would like to enjoy the pleasant grove...

beautiful shade again for yourself.

Recitative:

But, moved to mercy by your sorrow, Irene

breaks your chains;

with her snow white hand

she opens the narrow doorway

to the beautiful prison where you are shut up,

and you, quick and light,

you regain your former ability to fly.

You traverse the breadths of the air and return

to the tops of the beech trees and firs

to salute the day with your beautiful song.

Third aria:

How I envy your beautiful flights,

fortunate bird;

I am also captured and bound,

but I have no one to console me.

I lament and cry out all the time

from the desire to be set free,

but I am held wrapped in chains

by the cruel Irene, and she wishes that I would die.