The first movement is a celebration of the harvest, in which the peasant sings and dances, Bacchus’s flowing bowl intoxicates, and “many end their merrymaking in sleep.” Celebration yields to complete relaxation in the Adagio molto, while the Allegro represents the exhilaration of hunters on a chase – and the terror felt by their quarry.
I. Allegro
Celebra il Vilanel con balli e Canti | The peasant celebrates with dances and songs |
| Del felice raccolto il bel piacere | The joyful pleasure of the abundant harvest; |
| E del liquor de Bacco accesi tanti | And many, inflamed by Bacchus’s liquor, |
| Finiscono col Sonno il lor godere. | End their merrymaking in sleep. |
II. Adagio molto
| Fà ch’ ogn’ uno tralasci e balli e canti | The mild and pleasant air makes everyone |
| L’aria che temperata dà piacere, | Leave off their dancing and their songs, |
| E la Staggion ch’ invita tanti e tanti | And the season invites one and all |
| E la Staggion ch’ invita tanti e tanti | To enjoy the sweetness of deepest sleep. |
III. Allegro
| I cacciator alla nov’ alba à caccia | At the new dawn the hunters set out for the hunt, |
| Con corni, Schioppi, e cani escono fuore | With horns, guns, and dogs; |
| Fugge la belva, e Seguono la traccia; | The beast flees, and they follow its tracks. |
| Già Sbigottita, e lassa al gran rumore | Already terrified and exhausted by the great clamor |
| De’ Schioppi e cani, ferita minaccia | Of guns and dogs, wounded, it struggles |
| Languida di fuggir, mà oppressa muore. | Weakly to escape—but, overcome, it dies. |