| Lyrics | Poetic Translation | |
|---|---|---|
| Damon e Filli insieme | Damon and Phyllis fighting, | |
| Guerreggiavan fra lor con forze estreme | Locked together as two impassioned forces. | |
| Pari eran l’armi, i colpi e le ferite | Their blows and blades were equally inciting; | |
| Et era amor presente a si gran lite. | The God of Love was witness to their courses. | |
| Eran guardi possenti le lor armi | Their swords were heated glances, | |
| Ch’avean salde e pungenti; | Which were sturdy and strong and monumental; | |
| Eran sospiri i colpi e i cari baci | Their shots were sighs; their cuts were small advances; | |
| Erano le ferite accorte e audaci. | Their wounds so deep were kisses, soft and gentle. | |
| Ma si cangiò la sorte: | But then their fate was altered: | |
| Cha dà colpo mortal sentendo morte | When her breast felt a blow she could not live through, | |
| Filli nel petto cede e s’abbandona | Then Phyllis stopped and yielded ere she faltered. | |
| Dicendo: Amico, io ti perdon, perdona | She said, "My friend, forgive me; I forgive you. | |
| Non fia mal che tu pera | "Live long; you will recover." | |
| All’hor disse Damon, dolce guerriera; | Damon said, "Warrior, my sweet, this thrilling | |
| Questa che ti par morte è dolce vita | You take for death is life, who calls each lover | |
| Ch’a guerregiar spesso gl’amanti invita. | To clash in mortal combat, fierce and willing." | |
| Orazio Vecchi | Carol Anne Perry Lagemann |
See Mick Swinthinbank's work at Choral Public Domain Library.