1. Dimmi dimmi, apuzza nica, Unni vai cussì matinu? Nun cc'è cima chi arrussica Di lu munti a nui vicinu. Trema ancora, ancora luci La rugiada 'ntra li prati; Dun'accura nun ti arruci L'ali d'oru dilicati. 2. Li ciuriddi durmigghiusi 'Ntra li virdi soi buttuni Stannu ancora stritti e chiusi Cu li testi a pinniluni. Ma l'aluzza s'affatica! Ma tu voli e fai caminu! Dimmi dimmi, apuzza nica, Unni vai cussì matinu? 3. Cerchi meli? E s'iddu è chissu, Chiudi l'ali e 'un ti straccari; Ti lu 'nsignu un locu fissu, Unni hai sempri chi sucari: Lu conusci lu miu amuri Nici mia di l'occhi beddi? Ntra ddi labbra cc'è un sapuri, 'Na ducizza chi mai speddi. 4. 'Ntra la labbru culuritu Di lu caru amatu beni Cc'è lu meli cchiù squisitu... Suca, sucalu ca veni. Ddà cci misi lu Piaciri Lu so nidu 'ncilippatu, Pri adiscari, pri rapiri Ogni cori dilicatu.

1. Tell me, tiny bee, O tell me, Whither now so early hieing? There's no mountain-top around us Yet in golden sunshine lying; Still the waving meadows glisten All around in pearly splendor: Have a care, or you will moisten Unawares your winglets tender. 2. Ev'rywhere the sleepy flowers On their stems are nodding lightly, Dreaming thro' the early hours With green buds all folded tightly. But the wings bid fair to fail ye! Yet still on and on you're flying: Tell me, tiny bee, O tell me, Whither now so early hieing? 3. Seek you honey? If such the case is, Fold your wings, no longer tire them, For I'll show you where a place is Stor'd with sweets as you desire them! Do you know my darling Nici, Bright of eye and fair in favor? 'T is between her lips I'll teach ye Where to find the sweetest flavor. 4. Honey lies 'twixt lips like roses Of my own, my only treasure, Sweeter than on all your posies; Suck it, suck it at your pleasure! Joy herself has made her nest there, Nest of sugar most enticing: Tender heart that wins its quest there, On its way, shall go rejoicing.

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Marzo, Eduardo. Songs of Italy; sixty-five Tuscan, Florentine, Lombardian and other Italian folk- and popular songs. New York: G. Schirmer, 1904. 169

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