Unknown

My only joy
Is in the merry hunt!
Before Aurora gloweth,
And e'en before the heavens light,
Hath this my dart already found much pleasing booty.

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

What, fairest goddess? What?
Know'st thou no more thine erstwhile boon companion?
Hast thou not thine Endymion
Amidst his soft repose
Once 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 thee Amor laid?
Where we, too, when once we're captured,
At our leisure,
Joy and love in bonds have plied.

Diana: I love thee even still!
But yet
Today hath such a day appeared
Which I before all else
Must with my loving kiss
Give dutiful attendance.
Most dearly loved August,
The Saxons' joy,
May in most welcome fortune's favor
His lofty nameday feast now witness.
Endymion: Then grant me this,
Diana, that I may at once
Be thy companion
And, too, an off'ring here may kindle.
Diana; Endymion: Yes, yes! We'll bring our flames of fervor
Within a hearty wish together.

I, who am wont a god
Amongst these fields to be,
I'll now lay down my shepherd's staff,
To Friederich Augustus' 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 nor animation hath,
So is that land a deadman's hollow
Which lacking head and prince exists
And thus its finest part doth miss.

My off'ring shall most surely not
The last one be.
No, no!
I will before thy feet now lay it;
For while the whole wide land with "Vivat" rings,
Shall, too, this lovely field,
Thee, mighty hero, prince and king,
To praise, itself be stirring.

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.

Ye bright rays of gladness
Now banish all sadness,
Redouble your glances in ages forthcoming!
The father of Saxons,
Augustus shall live long, Augustus must flourish.

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,
Which sweetly look on here,
Rise, sing ye / shout ye / with us:
Long life to August in blessing and peace.

Ye fairest of glances, ye hours delighted,
With you be good fortune forever united.
Return here, but always in lovelier light,
So that for you ever the purple stay bright,
So that we with pleasure
Our sacrifice offer.