Do you see the white dots yonder,
  Far away in the dark green waters?
They are cheerful barques from Como,
  Sails, white as snow, leading the way!

And the villas round the shore,
  Above them Simplon's silvery summit
This charming scene was stolen 
  From the leas of paradise.

Cadenabbia, Varenna!
  Sommariva's heavenly house:
No song of joy is adequate 
To depict all the bliss.

Hear the delicate barcarole
  That the young sailor sings!
Trembling, I feel how his suffering
  Penetrates into my deepest heart:

"Ye tones, waft down to her!
  Tell her softly where I am,
And you, echo! carry the songs
  Off over mountain and sea!"

"Ah, I would like to stride through the world,
  Seeking the happiness of life in the distance,
Nevertheless, I cannot forget her.
  I quietly return to my darling!"

And my songs whisper [to her]
  That I am full of yearning,
And the echo carries them once more
  Off over mountain and sea!" --