"La donna e mobile" Text and Translation

Composed between 1850 and 1851, Verdi's Rigoletto is a twisted tale of lust, desire, love, and deceit. Read the full Rigoletto synopsis to see how this aria fits within the opera's context.

"La donna e mobile" Lyrics and Translation

Italian Text

La donna è mobile
Qual piuma al vento,
Muta d'accento — e di pensiero.
Sempre un amabile,
Leggiadro viso,
In pianto o in riso, — è menzognero.
È sempre misero
Chi a lei s'affida,
Chi le confida — mal cauto il cuore!
Pur mai non sentesi
Felice appieno
Chi su quel seno — non liba amore!

English Translation of "La donna e mobile"

Woman is flighty
Like a feather in the wind,
She changes her voice — and her mind.
Always sweet,
Pretty face,
In tears or in laughter, — she is always lying.
Always miserable
Is he who trusts her,
He who confides in her — his unwary heart!
Yet one never feels
Fully happy
Who on that bosom — does not drink love!