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My lovely Amaryllis

My lovely Amaryllis,
Don’t you know, O my heart's sweet desire,
That it is you whom I love?
Believe in my love; and if fear besets you,
Don’t doubt that it’s true.
Open my breast and see written on my heart:
Amaryllis, Amaryllis, Amaryllis, is my love.

English translation by Paul Archer of the text of Amarilli, mia bella by Guilio Caccini (1551-1618). See the copyright notice below.

Amarylli Mia Bella

Amarilli, mia bella,
Non credi, o del mio cor dolce desio,
D'esser tu l'amor mio?
Credilo pur: e se timor t'assale,
Dubitar non ti vale.
Aprimi il petto e vedrai scritto in core:
Amarilli, Amarilli, Amarilli è il mio amore.

Recording. A version of Caccini's song from 1602 that includes a violin solo composed by Johann Nauwach in 1623. Performed by The Archduke's Consort. Link: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ljjttf7ZKR4

Copyright notice. The translation is provided as an aid to musicians and audiences. Publication of the translation in print or digital formats is expressly forbidden unless permission from the author has been first obtained and acknowledgement of authorship is duly made. Permission will usually be granted so please contact Paul Archer with details of how you wish to make use of the translation.

For more translations into English of early music texts, go to:
Translations of early music texts.

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