Dolcissimo uscignolo,
Tu chiami la tua cara compagnia,
Cantando: “vieni, vieni, anima mia.”
A me canto non vale;
E non ho come tu da volar ale.
O felice augelletto:
Come nel tuo diletto
Ti ricompensa ben l’alma natura;
Se ti negò saper, ti diè ventura.

Sweetest nightingale,
You summon your dear companion
Singing: “Come, come, my beloved!”
Song is no use to me,
And I have no wings like you with which to fly.
O happy little bird!
How well, where pleasure is concerned,
Has Mother Nature compensated you:
Denying you understanding, she gave you joy.