Ecco pur ch'a voi ritorno

English Libretto or Translation:

ORPHEUS
See now, I return to you,
dear woods and beloved hills,
made blessed by that sun
through whom alone my darkness is lightened.

Ritornello

FIRST SHEPHERD
Look, Orpheus, how the shade
of those beech trees invites us,
now that Phoebus darts
burning rays from heaven.

Ritornello

SECOND SHEPHERD
On these grassy banks
let us rest, and let each
in his own way let loose his voice
to the murmur of the waters.

Ritornello

FIRST & SECOND SHEPHERDS
In this flowery meadow
every sylvan deity
is often wont
to linger for his pleasure.

Ritornello

Here Pan, the shepherds' god,
has sometimes been heard lamenting,
sweetly recalling
his unrequited loves.

Ritornello

Here the charming dryads,
a company always decked with flowers,
have been seen gathering roses
with white fingers.