Ariadne at Naxos

Adagio

Theseus, my love! Where are you?

I thought you were beside me,

But it was only a sweet, false dream.

The rosy dawn rises in the sky

Pheobus tinges grass and flowers

As he rises, golden, from the sea.

Dear husband! Where are you?

Perhaps the chase has called,

Tempting your brave spirit!

Oh, come, my love

And find a sweeter prey for your snares.

Ariadne's loving heart, constant and adoring,

Binds with ever tighter bonds

And our radiant flame burns brightly with our love.

I cannot be separated from you for a single moment

Ah! I am seized, my love, with the desire to see you

My heart sighs for you. Come, my beloved idol!

Air

Where are you my sweet treasure?

Who tore you from my breast?

If you do not come, I shall die,

I cannot bear such grief.

If you are merciful, oh gods,

hear my prayer,

And send my beloved back to me.

Where are you? Theseus!

Where are you?

Recitative

But, to whom do I speak? Echo alone repeats my words.

Theseus neither hears nor responds

Winds and waves silence my voice.

He cannot be far away from me.

If I climb that cliff that rises above the rest,

I shall see him from there.

What is this? Alas! Woe is me!

That is the Argive ship!

Those men are Greeks!

Theseus! He is at the prow!

Oh, I may be mistaken...

No! There is no mistake.

He flees, and leaves me behind, abandoned.

All hope is gone, I am betrayed.

Theseus! Hear me!

But alas, I shall go mad!

He is swallowed by wave and wind

Forever before my very eyes.

Oh! Gods, you are unjust

If you do not punish the traitor! Ungrateful man!

Why ever did I bother to save your life?

For you to betray me?

And your promises? Your vows?

Faithless one! Deceiver! Have you the heart to leave me?

To whom shall I turn?

From whom seek compassion?

cannot stand, my knees tremble

And the bitterness of this wretched moment

Makes my heart quiver in my breast.

Air

Oh! Would that death might come in this dreadful hour

But heaven cruelly decrees

My continued suffering.

Poor abandoned one, with no one to console her,

My beloved has fled, cruel and disloyal.