Choir for 4 voices
Soprano I solo
Soprano II solo
Tenor solo
Bass solo
Horn da caccia I + II
Recorder I + II
Oboe I + II
Taille
Bassoon
Violin I + II
Viola
Basso continuo

My only joy
Is in the merry hunt!
E'en ere Aurora gloweth,
E'en ere toward heaven she doth strive,
Hath this my dart already found its pleasing booty.!

Hunting is the gods' true pleasure,
Hunting suits the heroes well!
Yield now, of my nymphs all scorners,
Yield now from Diana's course!

What, fairest goddess? What?
Know'st thou no more thine erstwhile boon companion?
Hast thou not thine Endymion
Amidst his soft repose
So many dulcet kisses offered?
Art thou then, fairest, now
From love's tight bonds released,
Pursuing now nought but the chase?

Wouldst thou then no more take pleasure
In the meshes,
Those by Amor laid?
Where we too, when once we're captured,
At our leisure,
Joy and love in bonds have plied.

Soprano I (Diana): love thee even still!
But yet
Today a lofty light appeareth,
Which I before all else
Must with my loving kiss
Now greet and give my service!
The worthy Christian, / Ernst August,/
The woodlands' Pan,
May in most welcome fortune's favor
His high foundation's feast now witness!
Tenor (Endymion): Then grant me this,
Diana, that I may here now
Be thy companion
As we a joyous off'ring kindle.
Soprano I (Diana), Tenor (Endymion): Yes, yes! We'll bring our flames of fervor
With glad good wishes now together!

I, who am wont a god
Amongst these fields to be,
I'll now lay down my shepherd's staff
And here to Christian's ruling scepter yield,
For this illustrious Pan his land so happy maketh,
That wood and field and all are live with laughter!

A prince is his own country's Pan!
Just as the body lacking spirit
No life or animation hath,
So is that land a deadman's-hollow
Which lacking head and prince exists
And thus its finest part doth miss.

Shall then the offering of Pales be the last?
No, no!
I will by duty also render,
And, while the whole wide land with "Vivat" rings,
Now, too, this lovely field
In honor of our Saxon lord
To joy and mirth awaken.

Sheep may ever graze securely
Where a worthy shepherd wakes.
Where the rulers well are ruling,
May one rest and peace discover
And what nations blissful makes.

Then join the song
And to the day's delight perfection bring!

Live, O sun of this our earth now,
While Diana doth by night
On the tow'r of heaven watch,
While the woodlands change with verdure,
Live, O sun of this our earth now.





Enchant ye us both now,
Ye rays of great gladness,
And deck ye the heavens with diamonds and jewels.
Prince Christian nurture
On loveliest roses and free of all sadness.

While the herds all woolly-coated
Through this widely honored field
Merrily to mead are driven,
Flourish this great Saxon lord!

Ye pastures and meadows,
Make green your appearance,
Shout "Vivat" abroad!
Long life to the Duke both in plenty and peace!

Ye loveliest glances, ye hours delighted,
To you be good fortune forever united!
May heaven now crown you with sweetest of joy!
Long life to Prince Christian! May he ever know
How hearts are contented,
How sadness defeated!