Ah pensier, e perché voli

Cantata by Domenico Scarlatti (1685 - 1757)

1. Ah pensier, e perché voli
 (Sung text)

Language: Italian (Italiano) 
Ah pensier, e perché voli
Sù quel labro e sù quel seno
À succhiar l’aspro veleno,
Che mi giunge insino al cor?
Nel gustarlo ti consoli,
Mà t’accorgi troppo tardi,
Che sol nettari bugiardi
San produr d’Amore i fior.

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Available translations, adaptations or excerpts, and transliterations (if applicable):

  • ENG English (Michael P Rosewall) , "Ah, my thoughts, why do you race", copyright © 2026, (re)printed on this website with kind permission

Researcher for this text: Emily Ezust [Administrator]

2. Credei, che avverso Fato
 (Sung text)

Language: Italian (Italiano) 
Credei, che avverso Fato
Tratto t’avesse à passeggiar vicino
L’amoroso giardino,
Onde il guardo abbagliato
Dal Lampo lusinghiero
Di quel bel mensognero
La cicuta credesse un fior divino.
Mà scorgo, che tù brami anche lontano
Al venefico fior stender la mano.

Text Authorship:

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Available translations, adaptations or excerpts, and transliterations (if applicable):

  • ENG English (Michael P Rosewall) , "I once believed that cruel Fate", copyright © 2026, (re)printed on this website with kind permission

Researcher for this text: Emily Ezust [Administrator]

3. Frena il fervido desio
 (Sung text)

Language: Italian (Italiano) 
Frena il fervido desio,
Pensier mio,
Sciolto sei, non ti legar.
L’augelletto fuor del laccio
Nell’impaccio,
Che fuggì, non suol tornar.

Text Authorship:

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Available translations, adaptations or excerpts, and transliterations (if applicable):

  • ENG English (Michael P Rosewall) , "Reject passionate desire", copyright © 2026, (re)printed on this website with kind permission

Researcher for this text: Emily Ezust [Administrator]

4. Mà se brami quei fior, pensa, che alfine
 (Sung text)

Language: Italian (Italiano) 
Mà se brami quei fior, pensa, che alfine
Poco duran le Rose, assai le spine.

Text Authorship:

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Available translations, adaptations or excerpts, and transliterations (if applicable):

  • ENG English (Michael P Rosewall) , "But if you desire the flowers", copyright © 2026, (re)printed on this website with kind permission

Researcher for this text: Emily Ezust [Administrator]
Total word count: 116