Stizzoso, mio stizzoso,
voi fate il borioso,
ma no, ma non vi può giovare;
bisogna al mio divietto
star cheto e non parlare,
zit… zit… Serpina vuol così.
Cred’io che m’intendete, sì,
Dacche mi conoscete
Son molti e molti dì.
Peevish one, my peevish one,
you play the arrogant one,
but no, it will be of no use to you;
you must follow my commands
to keep quiet and not to talk,
Psst!... Psst!... Serpina wants it so.
I believe that you understand me, yes,
Since you have known me
For many, many days.
Text by Gennaro Antonio Federico (1726–1744)
After the play by Jacopo Angello Nelli (1673–1767)
Translation by Bard Suverkrop—IPA Source, LLC