Ah, how gladly I can keep far away from you

Ah, how gladly

I can keep far away from you,

bright halls illuminated by candles!

That at me, in the darkness,

two eyes twinkle,

that is my joy and my world!

Once I yearned

to please everyone

and stealthily I threw out my nets.

But now, to adorn myself for one,

to make him happy -

this has become my joy and my world!

Alone in the silence,

for him alone

throbs my heart, bursting with longing:

to embrace him,

to cling to him,

until my bliss makes the world disappear!