In a forest

Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart

In a lonely and sombre forest

I walked the other day;

A child slept in the shade,

It was a veritable Cupid.

I approach; his beauty fascinates me.

But I must be careful:

He has the traits of the faithless maiden

Whom I had sworn to forget.

He had lips of ruby,

His complexion was also fresh like hers.

A sigh escapes me and he awakes;

Cupid wakes at nothing.

Immediately opening his wings and seizing

His vengeful bow

And one of his cruel arrows as he parts,

He wounds me to the heart.

"Go!" he says, "Go! At Sylvie's feet

Will you languish anew!

You shall love her all your life,

For having dared awaken me."