My name it means nothing
My fortune is less
My future is shrouded in dark wilderness
Sunshine is far away, clouds linger on
Everything I possessed - now they are gone

O, where can I go to and what can I do?
Nothing can please me only thoughts are of you
You just laughted when I begged you to stay
I've not stopped crying since you went away

The world is a lonely place - you're on your own
Guess I will go home - sit down and moan
Crying and thinking is all that I do
Memories I have remind me of you.

The opening aria, "Ombra mai fu/ Shade there never was", is one of Handel's best-known melodic structure. It is sung by the main character, Serse (or "Xerxes"), a male role sung by a mezzo-soprano, in praise of a tree's shade as he sits underneath it.

"Tender and beautiful fronds
of my beloved plane tree,
Let Fate smile upon you.
May thunder, lightning, and storms
never bother your dear peace,
Nor may you be profaned by blowing winds.

Never was the shade
of vegetation
more dear and friendly,
more sweet."