Le Violette Alessandro Scarlatti (1659-1725) Rugiadose, odorose violette graziose, [ru·dZa·'doù·ze o·do·'Roù·ze vi·o·'let·te gra·tsi·'où·ze] Dewy, fragrant violets graceful, (Dewy, fragrant graceful violets,) Voi vi state vergognose, [voùi vi 'sta·te vEr·goø·'øoù·ze] You yourselves stand modest, (you stand there modestly,) mezzo ascose fra le foglie, ['mEd·dzo a·'skoù·ze fra le 'f�´·´e] half hidden among the leaves, (half hidden among the leaves,) E sgridate le mie voglie, [e zgri·'daù·te le 'miùe 'v�´·´e] And you-rebuke the my desires, (and deny my wishes) che son troppo ambiziose. [ke son 'tr�p·po am·bi·'tsjoù·ze] that are too ambitious. (that are too bold.) Note: The Italian ending -ose is properly spoken [où·se]. In singing, the pronunciation [où·ze] is considered preferable. (Literal translation and IPA transcription © by Bard Suverkrop - www.IPASource.com)