La scena rappresenta una piazza in un paese della Sicilia.--Nel fondo, a destra, Chiesa con porta praticabile.--A sinistra l'osteria e la casa di Mamma Lucia.--È il giorno di Pasqua.-
The scene represents a square in a village in Sicily. At the back, on the right, a church with a moveable door. On the left, an inn and the house of Mother Lucia. It is Easter.
O Lola c'hai di latti la cammisa si bianca e russa comu la cirasa, quannu t'affacci fai la vucca a risa, biatu pì lu primu cu ti vasa! Ntra la puorta tua lu sangu è spasu, ma nun me mpuorta si ce muoru accisu ... e si ce muoru e vaju 'n paradisu si nun ce truovo a ttia, mancu ce trasu.
O Lola! like the snow, pure in thy whiteness! Redder than cherries glow thy lips in brightness! Happy the lover brave, when by thy kisses Thou shalt his soul enslave in fondest blisses! Though at thy door dark blood be warningly lying, Ne'er shall it hinder me, when to thee flying. Death straight to heaven in its arms may enfold me; Ne'er shall I enter there happy, till I behold thee!
Gli aranci olezzano sui verdi margini, cantan le allodole tra i mirti in fior; tempo è si mormori da ognuno il tenero canto che i palpiti raddoppia al cor.
Oranges blossoming, myrtle and jessamine Mingle their fragrance with incense of flowers. Morning now murmuring, hearts that were slumbering Wake with the dawning with songs, as do ours.
In mezzo al campo tra le spiche d'oro giunge il rumore delle vostre spole; noi stanchi riposando dal lavoro a voi pensiamo, o belle occhi-di-sole. O belle occhi-di-sole, a voi corriamo, come vola l'augello al suo richiamo.
To the harvest field, 'mid ears bright and golden, The quick-flying spindles send out their humming; We weary, while from our labors are holden, To Thee, Light of Heaven, are humbly coming! O glorious Son of Salvation, heaven adorning! As the eagles home flying, hail we this morning!
Cessin le rustiche opre: la Virgine serena allietasi del Salvator;
Vain are all earthly employments! To heaven and its enjoyments! The Virgin and our dear Lord!
Voglio saper soltanto, perdonatemi voi, dove trovarlo.
Only that I may ask you-- Humbly I beg your pardon--where I may find him.
I know not, I know not; bring me no trouble.