Tamino: The poor chap is sorely punished,
for he is unable to speak!

Papageno: Hm! hm! hm! hm! hm! hm! hm! hm!

Tamino: I can do nothing but pity you,
for I am too weak to help!

Papageno: Hm! hm! hm! hm! hm! hm! hm! hm!

First Lady: The Queen pardons you,
and through me relieves you of your punishment.

Papageno: Now Papageno can chatter again!

Second Lady: Yes, chatter, but no more lying!

Papageno: I shall never lie again, no, no!

Three Ladies: Let this padlock be a warning to you!

Papageno: This padlock will be a warning to me!

All: If only all liars were given
a padlock to seal their lips:
instead of hatred, slander and seething bile
there would be love and brotherhood.

First Lady: O Prince! Take this gift from me.
Our Queen sends it to you.
This magic flute will protect and support you
even in the greatest misfortune.

Three Ladies: It will make you all-powerful,
transforming man’s sorrows.
The joyless will become happy,
the confirmed bachelor will fall in love.

All: Oh, such a flute
is worth more than gold and crowns,
for through it human joy
and contentment will be increased.

Papageno: Well, lovely ladies,
if I may, I’ll take my leave.

Three Ladies: You can take your leave another time,
for the Queen has decreed
that with the Prince and without delay
you should hurry to Sarastro’s castle.

Papageno: No, thank you very much.
You yourselves have told me
that he is as fierce as a tiger.
I’m sure that without any hesitation
Sarastro would have me plucked and baked
and served up to the dogs.

Three Ladies: The Prince will protect you; trust no one but him.
In return you shall be his assistant.

Papageno: The devil take the Prince.
My life is dear to me.
In the end, upon my honour,
he’ll steal away from me like a thief.

First Lady: Here, take this treasure, it is yours!

Papageno: Aha! I wonder what’s inside?

Three Ladies: Inside you’ll hear bells tinkle!

Papageno: But will I be able to play them?

Three Ladies: Oh certainly! Without a doubt!

All: Silver bells and magic flutes
are needed for your/our protection.
Farewell! We have to go!
Farewell, until we meet again!

Tamino: But lovely ladies, please tell us …

Papageno: … where is the castle to be found?

Three Ladies: Three boys, young, fair, gentle and wise,
will appear to you on your journey.
They will be your guides;
follow only their advice.

Tamino, Papageno: Three boys, young, fair, gentle and wise,
will appear to us on our journey?

Three Ladies: They will be your guides;
follow only their advice.

All: Then farewell! We have to go!
Farewell, farewell, until we meet again!