The woods are green

Libretto/Lyrics/Text/Testo:

First Scene

(The garden of the house of Truelove in the field on
a spring afternoon. On the right side of the house, a
fence with an iron gate. Anne and Tom sit together
under a pergola)

Trio

ANNE
The woods are green
and bird and beast at play
for all things keep
this festival of May.
With fragrant odours
and with notes of cheer,
the pious earth
observes the solemn year.

TOM
Now is the season
when the Cyprian Queen
with genial charm
translates our mortal scene,
when swains their nymphs
in fervent arms enfold
and with a kiss restore the Age of Gold.

ANNE, TOM
How sweet within the budding grove
How sweet beside the pliant stream
to walk, to love,
to lie, to dream.

(Truelove leaving the house and remains apart them)

TRUELOVE
Oh may a father's prudent fears
unfounded prove,
and ready vows and loving looks
be all they seem.
In youth we fancy
we are wise,
but time has shown, alas,
too often and too late,
we have not known the hearts
of others or our own.

ANNE
Love tells no lies.

ANNE, TOM
And in love's eyes
we see our future state,
ever happy, ever fair:
sorrow, hate, disdain, despair,
rule not there.
But love alone reigns o'er his own.