In uomini, in soldati     --     Despina's aria from "Cosi fan tutte"

In uomini, in soldati, sperare fedelta?		In men?  In soldiers you hope for fidelity?
Non vi fate sentir, per carita!		        For pete's sake, don't let anyone hear you!
Di pasta simile son tutti quanti,		They're all made of the same dough.
Le fronde mobili, l'aure incostanti		Windblown branches, changeable breezes
Han piu degli uomini stabilita!		        Have more stability than men!
Mentite lagrime, fallaci sguardi		False tears, suspicious glances,
Voci ingannevoli, vezzi bugiardi		Deceiving voices, lying vices
Son le primarie lor qualita!			Are the foremost of their qualities!
In noi non amano che il lor diletto,		They only love us when it suits their delight,
Poi ci dispregiano, neganci affetto,		Then they disparage us and deny us affection,
Ne val da barbari chieder pieta!		It's useless to ask their pity!
Paghiam o femmine, d'ugual moneta		Let's pay them back in their own coin,
Questa malefica razza indiscreta.		This accursed, indiscreet race.
Amiam per comodo, per vanita!		        Let's love for our convenience and vanity!

Text by Lorenzo da Ponte
Translation by Naomi Gurt Lind