Werner Icking Music Archive: Orazio Vecchi

Sovra le lucid'acque: Sovra le lucid'acque
Del mio tranquillo Mar
in alte note
De bianchi e dolci Cigni
Altri scherzando cantan' ad ogn' hora
Ama chi t'ama
Adora chi t'adora

Ond' ei par che risponda
Col dolce mormorio
Che fa la sua chiar' onda
Io t'amo e ador anch' io.

Et altri amorosetti
Con alternati detti
Cantano Mare o Mare
Quasi col canto voglion dimostrare
Che questo Mar sia'l porto
D'ogni dolce conforto.

Over the clear waters
of my tranquil sea
the gentle white swans
sing shrilly;
others, frolicking, make this their constant song:
"Love the one who loves you,
adore the one who adores you."

It seems as if the sea replies
in the gentle murmur
of its clear waves:
"I love and adore you too."

And other diminutive lovers
take it in turns to sing:
"Sea, oh sea",
as if by their song they would let it be known
that this sea is the gateway
to every sweet comfort.

English translation by Mick Swithinbank