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SUNG TEXTS
CD1 Libro I
1 Ch’ami la vita mia nel tuo bel nome That you are the love of my life
par che si legg’ogn’hora; seems legible in your name;
ma tu voi pur ch’io mora. and yet, if the truth be written there,
Se ’l ver porti in te scritto, you also wish me to die.
acqueta co’i begl’occhi il cor afflitto, Soothe with your beautiful eyes my afflicted
acciò letto non sia heart,
ch’ami la morte so that none may think
e non la vita mia. you desire my death
rather than my life.
2 Se per avervi ohimé donato il core If, cruel lady, the cause of this
nasce in me quell’ardore, all-consuming, ever-burning
donna crudel, che m’arde in ogni loco fire in me is that
tal che son tutto foco, I have given you my heart,
e se per amar voi l’aspro martire and if my love for you is the cause of this bitter
mi fa di duol morire, and deadly torment,
miser, che far debb’io, then alas, what will become of me,
privo di voi, che sete ogni ben mio? bereft of you, who are my beloved?
4 Amor, per tua mercè vatten’a quella Cupid, take pity on me and go straight
che m’è così rubella, to her who resists me so,
e con una saetta pierce with an arrow
passale il cor, e fa di me vendetta. her heart, and so avenge me.
Dille: come potete un qua patire Say to her: ‘Lady, how can you possibly
chi tanto v’ama far, donna, morire. let die one who loves you so much?’
13 Tra mille fiamme e tra mille catene Amidst the thousand flames and the thousand
onde n’accend’e lega Amor a le mie pene, chains
scelse la più gentil e la più bella with which Love burns and binds us,
amorosa fiammella, to cause me the more suffering Love chose the
che sì soavemente m’impiagò il cor noblest
che per beltà gradita and most beautiful sweet flame of love,
morir m’è dolce, aita, who so gently wounded my heart
e non sperar aita. that for me it is sweet
to die for her, crying for help,
but expecting none.
14 Usciam, ninfe, omai fuor di questi boschi, Nymphs, let us now leave these woods,
e di fior bianch’e gialli and weave garlands of white and yellow flowers
tessiam ghirlande e cingiansene i crini, with which to deck our tresses,
che dopo horrida e fiera stagion, con fiori e for after the cold and stormy weather,
frondi the longed-for Spring returns with flowers and
torna la desiata Primavera. fronds.
Orsù facciam le valli Come on, let us make the valleys
sonar col canto, e su le verdi herbette resound with song, and on the green grass
guidiam con dolce suon in giro i balli. let us lead round the dance to sweet music.
15 Questa ordí il laccio sì bella She it was who wove the snare, her beautiful
man, fra fiori e l’herba il tese, hand it was that laid it amid flowers and grass,
e fu sì presta e questa il cor mi prese and she it was who seized my heart
a trarlo in mezz’a mille fiamme accese, and thrust it into a thousand flames;
hor che l’ho qui ristretta, now that I have her here my prisoner,
vendetta, Amor, vendetta! vengeance, Love, vengeance!
19 Ardo, sì, ma non t’amo, I burn, yes, but I love you not,
perfida e dispietata, treacherous, pitiless lady,
indegnamente amata, unworthily loved
da un sì leal amante. by such a faithful lover.
Ah, non fia più che del mio amor ti vante, Ah, you will no longer be able to boast of my
perch’io già sano il core, love,
e s’ardo, ardo for my heart has healed now,
di sdegno e non d’amore. and if I burn, I burn
with scorn and not with love.
21 Arsi et alsi a mia voglia, I did burn and freeze to my heart’s content,
leal non impudico, a faithful not wanton
amante non nemico. lover, not a foe.
E s’al tuo lieve ingegno And if your fickle mind
poco cale l’amor cares little for my love
e men lo sdegno, and even less for my scorn,
sdegn’e amor farà vano yet scorn and love will make vain
l’altiero suon del tuo parlar insano. your proud and foolish boasting.
CD2 Libro II
1 Non si levav’ancor l’alba novella, The new dawn had not yet arisen,
né spiegavan le piume nor had the birds yet spread their feathers
gl’augelli al novo lume, in the awakening light,
ma fiammeggiava l’amorosa stella, but the star of love was still afire
quand’i duo vaghi e leggiadrett’amanti, when the two pure and graceful lovers,
ch’una felice notte aggiuns’insieme whom a merry night had joined together
com’acanto si volg’in vari giri, like an acanthus in many twists and turns,
divise il novo raggio e i dolci pianti were separated by the first glimmer of day;
nell’accoglienz’estreme and soft tears in their final embrace
mescolavan con baci e con sospiri. mixed with kisses and sighs.
Mille ardenti pensier, mille desiri, A thousand burning thoughts, a thousand
mille voglie non paghe desires,
in quelle luci vaghe a thousand unfulfilled longings,
scopria quest’alma innamorata e quella. in the other’s beautiful eyes
each loving soul did find.
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SUNG TEXTS
2 E dicea l’una sospirando allora: And then one, sighing, said to the other:
‘Anima, a Dio’, con languide parole; ‘Farewell, my soul’, with languid words.
e l’altra: ‘Vita, a Dio’ le rispondea; And the other: ‘Farewell, my life’ did reply,
‘a Dio, rimanti’; e non partian si ancora ‘farewell, stay.’ And still they had not parted
inanzi al novo sole. when the sun arose.
E inanzi a l’alba che nel ciel sorgea As the light of dawn filled the sky,
e questa e quella impallidir vedea each saw the paling colour
le bellissime rose in the beauteous roses
ne le labr’amorose of the other lover’s lips,
e gl’occhi scintillar come facella. and their eyes shining like small flames.
E come d’alma che si part’e svella And like a soul parted and uprooted,
fu la partenza loro: so was their parting.
‘A Dio, che parto e moro!’ ‘Farewell, for I leave, and die.’
Dolce languir, dolce partita e fella. Sweet languishing, parting sweet and terrible!
3 Bevea Fillide mia My Phyllis drank
e nel ber dolcemente and while she sweetly supped,
baci al dolce liquor porgea sovente. she gave many kisses to the sweet liquor.
Tutto quel che rimase All that was left
lieta mi diede poi joyfully she then gave me
misto con baci suoi: mixed with her kisses:
io il bevo, e non so come bevo Amore I drink it and, I do not know how, drink Love,
che dolcement’anch’ei mi bacia il core. for love, too, kisses my heart.
4 Dolcissimi legami Gentlest bonds
di parole amorose, of loving words
che mi legò da scherz’e non mi scioglie. that bound me in play, yet release me not,
Così egli dunque scherz’e così coglie? is this how he plays, and how he captures?
Così l’alme legate Is this how souls are bound,
sono ne le catene insidiose? by deceitful chains?
Almen chi sì m’allaccia If only he who binds me so
mi leg’ancor fra quelle dolci braccia. would bind me again by those sweet arms.
5 Non giacinti o narcisi, We are not hyacinths nor narcissi,
ma piccioletti fior siamo, ch’Amore only tiny flowers that Love
mand’a voi, di beltà candido fiore. has sent thee, candid flower of beauty.
O, se ’l sol de’vostr’occhi, O, if the sun of your eyes
pur un poco ne tocchi, should touch us for a while,
saran vil alghe poi hyacinths and narcissi will be
e narcisi e giacint’a fronte a noi. as vile seaweed compared with us.
6 Intorno a due vermiglie e vaghe labbra Around two beautiful scarlet lips,
di cui rose più belle more beautiful than any rose
non ha la Primavera, that blooms in spring,
volan soavi baci a schier’a schiera. there fly sweet kisses in flocks.
E son più ch’a le stelle And they are more than the stars
in ciel puro e sereno, in a pure and serene sky,
più ch’a le gemme de la terra in seno. more than the gems in the depths of the earth.
Motti sonori od amorosi o casti, Words that resound, loving or chaste,
fra tanti un mi negasti, among so many, you denied me
spietat’un bacio solo, cruelly, but one kiss,
tu, che non spieghi a volo, you who do not spread your wings,
Amor, insidiando a baci, Cupid, ensnaring lovers with kisses,
sì com’augei rapaci like a bird of prey
che, sol imaginand’han già rapita who, just by thinking of them, has already
quest’alm’e questa vita. captured my soul and my life.
Tendi l’insidie, tendi,
et un’almen tra mill’ardito prendi.
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7 Non sono in queste rive Nowhere on these banks are found
fiori così vermigli flowers so scarlet
come le labbra de la donna mia, as my lady’s lips,
né ’l suon de l’aure estive, nor does the sound of the summer breezes
tra fonti e rose e gigli, amid fountains, roses and lilies
fa del suo canto più dolce armonia. make sweeter harmony than her singing.
Canto che m’ardi e piaci, Song of ardour and delight,
t’interrompano solo i nostri baci. may our kisses alone interrupt you!
13 Se tu mi lassi, perfida, tuo danno: If you leave me, devious one, the hurt will be
non ti pensar che sia yours:
misera senza te la vita mia. do not think that
Misero ben sarei my life would be miserable without you.
se miseria stimasse, e non ventura I would be miserable indeed
perder chi non mi cura if I felt it ruin, not good fortune,
e ricovrar quel che di me perdei. to lose who cares not for me
Misera e tu, che per novell’amore and to recoup what I had lost of myself.
perdi quel fido core It’s you who are miserable, who for a new love
ch’era più tuo che tu di te non sei; lose that faithful heart
ma ’l tuo già non perd’io, that was yours more than you are of yourself;
perché non fu mai mio. but I haven't lost your heart
for it was never mine.
13 Se tu mi lassi, perfida, tuo danno: If you leave me, devious one, the hurt will be
non ti pensar che sia yours:
misera senza te la vita mia. do not think that
Misero ben sarei my life would be miserable without you.
se miseria stimasse, e non ventura I would be miserable indeed
perder chi non mi cura if I felt it ruin, not good fortune,
e ricovrar quel che di me perdei. to lose who cares not for me
Misera e tu, che per novell’amore and to recoup what I had lost of myself.
perdi quel fido core It’s you who are miserable, who for a new love
ch’era più tuo che tu di te non sei; lose that faithful heart
ma ’l tuo già non perd’io, that was yours more than you are of yourself;
perché non fu mai mio. but I haven't lost your heart
for it was never mine.
95661 MONTEVERDI Complete Madrigals
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14 Ecco mormorar l’onde Here the waves are murmuring
e tremolar le fronde and the leaves trembling
a l’aura mattutina e gl’arborscelli, in the morning breeze and the fair bushes,
e sovra i verdi rami i vaghi augelli and on the green boughs the sweet birds
cantar soavemente are singing gently and the East smiles;
e rider l’Oriente, behold, dawn is already breaking
ecco già l’alba appare and is reflected in the sea,
e si specchia nel mare, and brightens up the sky
e rasserena il cielo and turns dew to pearls
e imperla il dolce gelo, gilding the high mountains.
e gl’alti monti indora. O beautiful Dawn,
O bella e vaga aurora, the gentle breeze is your herald, and you are
l’aura è tua messaggera e tu de l’aura the herald of the breeze
ch’ogn’arso cor ristaura. bringing refreshment to every ardent heart.
15 La bocca onde l’asprissime parole The mouth whence the harshest words
solean uscir ch’ir mi facean dolente used to flow, and hurt me so
vie più di quante mai fur sotto il sole, many more times than ever were days under
or nutre l’alma mia soavemente the sun,
d’odor di fresche rose e di viole, now delicately nourishes my soul
cui cede ogn’altro che l’Arabia sente with the scent of roses and violets,
e d’ambrosia e di nettare si pasce, sweeter than any Arabian perfume,
ché tra le perl’e i bei rubini nasce. and it feeds on ambrosia and nectar,
for it is born amidst pearls and beautiful rubies.
21 Cantai un tempo, e se fu dolce il canto, Once I sang, and though my song was sweet,
questo mi tacerò, ch’altr’il sentiva. I shall keep quiet now, for others know it;
Or è ben giunt’ogni mia festa a riva all my celebrations have now washed ashore,
ed ogni mio piacer rivolto in pianto. and every pleasure turned to weeping.
O fortunato chi raffrena in tanto Lucky is he who curbs his desire
il suo desio: che riposato viva! so that he can live peacefully;
Di riposo e di pac’il mio mi priva: mine deprives me of rest and peace;
così va ch’in altrui pon fede tanto. thus is the fate of he who places such faith in
another.
3 Sovra tenere erbette e bianchi fiori Amongst soft grasses and white flowers
stava Filli sedendo as Phyllis sitting
ne l’ombra d’un alloro, in the shade of a laurel tree
quando li dissi: Cara Filli, io moro. when I told her, darling Phyllis, I am dying!
Ed ella a me volgendo Turning to me, all embarrased
vergognosetta il viso, and stifling a laugh behind those red lips
frenò frangendo fra le rose il riso (which, with all my heart’s delight,
che per gioia dal core I am convinced
credo ne trasse Amore. ensured Love’s blessing),
Onde lieta mi disse: she said to me with such joy:
Baciami, Tirsi mio, Kiss me, my Thyrsis,
che per desir sento morirmi anch’io. for I also feel as if I am dying with desire!
4 O dolce anima mia, dunque è pur vero O my sweet spirit, is it then true
che cangiando pensiero that your thoughts have turned to another
per altrui m’abbandoni? and you now abandon me?
Se cerchi un cor che più t’adori ed ami, If you seek a heart that loves and adores you
ingiustamente brami; more, you yearn in vain;
se cerchi lealtà, mira che fede, if you seek loyalty, see what faith it is
amar quand’altrui doni to love when you give to others
la mia cara mercede the mercy I love
e la sperata tua dolce pietate. and the sweet pity I long for.
Ma se cerchi beltate, But if you seek beauty,
non mirar me, cor mio, mira te stessa look not at me, my love, look at yourself,
in questo volto, in questo cor impressa. you who are imprinted on this face, this heart.
8 ‘Vattene pur, crudel, con quella pace ‘Go then, cruel man, go with the same peace
che lasci a me; vattene, iniquo, omai. you
Me tosto ignudo spirt’ombra seguace wish me; go now, wicked one.
indivisibilmente a tergo avrai. Soon shall my shadowy spirit depart my body
Nova furia, co’ serpi e con la face and haunt you for eternity.
tanto t’agiterò quanto t’amai. Just as a fury with snakes and fire
E s’è destin ch’esca del mar, che schivi shall I torment you as much as once I loved you.
li scogli e l’onde e che a la pugna arrivi… And if fate decrees that you survive the sea,
escape
the rocks and waves and reach the field of
battle…
9 …Là tra ’l sangue e le morti egro giacente ... There, as you lie suffering, midst death and
mi pagherai le pene, empio guerriero. bloodshed,
Per nome Armida chiamerai sovente will you pay for my grief, evil warrior.
ne gli ultimi singulti: udir ciò spero.’ Again and again will you call on Armida
Or qui mancò lo spirto a la dolente, as you breathe your last: this is my wish.’
né quest’ultimo suono espress’intero; Hardly had she uttered these words
e cadde tramortita e si diffuse when the unhappy woman’s spirit failed
di gelato sudor e i lumi chiuse. and she fell swooning, senseless, bathed
in an icy sweat, her eyes closed.
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10 Poi ch’ella in sé tornò, deserto e muto Then she woke, and saw all around her
quanto mirar poté d’intorno scorse. such a desolate, silent place.
‘Ito se n’è pur’ disse ‘ed ha potuto ‘Is he then gone,’ she said, ‘and has he without
me qui lasciar de la mia vita in forse? pity left me here, my life in peril?
Ne un momento indugiò, ne un breve aiuto Could he not linger one moment, nor offer
nel caso estremo il traditor mi porse? me succor when most I needed it, the traitor!
Ed io pur anco l’amo, e in questo lido And yet do I love him still and, unavenged,
invendicata ancor piango e m’assido?’ sit weeping on this shore?’
13 Ch’io non t’ami, cor mio? Could it be that I love you not, my heart?
Ch’io non sia la tua vita e tu la mia, That I am not your life, and you mine?
che per nuovo desio That I could leave you
e per nuova speranza io t’abbandoni? for a new desire, a new hope?
Prima che questo sia, I should rather
morte non mi perdoni. be carried away by death.
Ma se tu sei quel cor onde la vita If you are that heart which
m’è si dolce e gradita, gives me such sweet and welcome life,
fonte d’ogni mio ben, d’ogni desire, source of all I love, all I desire,
come posso lasciarti, e non morire? how can I leave you and not die?
16 Ma dove, o lasso me, dove restaro But where, alas, now lie
le reliquie del corpo e bello e casto? the remains of that lovely and chaste body?
Ciò ch’in lui sano i miei furor lasciaro, That which my violent fury left unharmed
dal furor de le fère è forse guasto. has now perhaps fallen prey to wild beasts.
Ahi troppo nobil preda! ahi dolce e caro Alas, noble prey! alas, too sweet and dear,
troppo e pur troppo prezioso pasto! unhappy, too precious to be consumed by
ahi sfortunato! in cui l’ombre e le selve beasts.
irritaron me prima e poi le belve. Ah, wretch that I am! Tortured first by darkness
and thick forest and now by wild animals.
17 Io pur verrò là dove sete; e voi I shall come to the place where you lie;
meco avrò, s’anco sète, amate spoglie. and if you are still there, I shall stay by your
Ma s’egli avien che i vaghi membri suoi side, beloved remains.
stati sian cibo di ferine voglie, But if some savage beast
vuo’ che la bocca stessa anco me ingoi, has fed upon your graceful limbs,
e ’l ventre chiuda me che lor raccoglie: let its mouth engulf me as well,
onorata per me tomba e felice, let it swallow and entomb me:
ovunque sia, s’esser con lor mi lice. for wherever she lies, if I may be with her,
there shall be my honoured, welcome grace.
19 ‘Rimanti in pace’ a la dolente e bella ‘Stay here in peace,’ said Thyrsis, sighing,
Fillida, Tirsi sospirando disse. to the lovely and grieving Phyllida.
‘Rimanti, io me ne vo; tal mi prescrisse ‘Stay here, I go; as decreed by the law,
legge, empio fato, aspra sorte e rubella.’ pityless destiny, bitter and hostile fate.’
Ed ella ora da l’una e l’altra stella And then, distilling bitter tears
stillando amaro umore, i lumi affisse from each of her starry eyes, she fixed her gaze
ne i lumi del suo Tirsi e gli trafisse on that of her Thyrsis and pierced
il cor di pietosissime quadrella. his heart with the most piteous arrows.
20 Ond’ei di morte la sua faccia impressa, Then he, with death engraved upon his face,
disse: ‘Ahi, come n’andrò senza il mio sole, said, ‘Alas, how can I go without my sun,
di martir in martir, di doglie in doglie?’ from torment to torment, grief to grief?’
Ed ella, da singhiozzi e pianti oppressa, And she, overcome with sobs and tears,
fievolmente formò queste parole: faintly formed these words:
‘Deh, cara anima mia, chi mi ti toglie?’ ‘Ah, my beloved soul, who tears you from me?’
95661 MONTEVERDI Complete Madrigals
SUNG TEXTS
CD4 Libro IV Ah, painful parting!
1 Ah dolente partita! Ah, end of my life!
ah, fin de la mia vita! From thee I leave and I don’t die?
da te parto e non moro? But I feel
E pur i provo the pain of death
la pena de la morte and I feel on leaving
e sento nel partire a lively dying,
un vivace morire, which gives life to pain
che da vita al dolore to let my heart immortally die.
per far che moia immortalmente il core.
3 Cor mio, non mori? E mori! My heart, you do not die? Die!
L’idolo tuo, ch’è tolto a te, Your idol, who has been taken from you,
sia tosto in altrui braccia accolto. will soon be embraced by other arms.
Deh, spezzati, mio core! Ah, break, my heart!
Lascia, lascia con l’aura anco l’ardore; ch’esser Leave, leave with the air your ardor as well; for
non può it is not possible for you to remain alive without
che ti reserbi in vita senza speme e aita. hope and aid.
Su, mio cor, mori! Come, my heart, die!
Io moro, io vado; I die, I depart,
a Dio, dolcissimo ben mio. farewell, my sweetest love.
10 Voi pur da me partite, anima dura, You are really abandoning me, hard-hearted,
né vi duol il partire. and it gives you no pain.
Ohimè! quest’è un morire Alas, this means a cruel death,
crudele, e voi gioite? and you are enjoying it?
Quest’è vicino aver l’ora suprema, This means I am close to my last hour,
e voi non la sentite? and you don’t feel it?
O meraviglia di durezza estrema: Oh what a marvel of extreme harshness:
esser alma d’un core to be the life and soul of a heart
e separarsi, e non sentir dolore. and to go away and feel no sorrow!
11 A un giro sol de’ bell’occhi lucenti At a single glance of those beautiful, beaming
ride l’aria d’intorno, lights, the air around becomes cheerful,
e’l mar s’acqueta e i venti, the sea and the winds grow calm,
e si fa il ciel d’un altro lume adorno. and the sky is adorned with a new light.
Sol io le luci ho lagrimose e meste: I alone remain with tearful and sad eyes:
certo quando nasceste, certainly when you were born,
così crudel e ria, so cruel and wicked,
nacque la morte mia. my death was born.
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12 Ohimè, se tanto amate di sentir dir ‘Ohimè’, Alas, if you so love to hear me say alas,
deh perché fate chi dice ‘Ohimè’ morire? then why do you slay the one who says it?
S'io moro un sol potrete If I die, you will hear only
languido e doloroso ‘Ohimè’ sentire. a single languid, sorrowful alas.
Ma se, cor mio, vorrete But if, my love, you wish
che vita habb'io da voi, e voi da me, to let me live and live for me,
avrete mill’ e mille dolci ‘Ohimè’. you will have a thousand times a sweet alas.
17 Anima dolorosa che vivendo Sorrowful soul, who, while you live
tanto peni e tormenti suffer and torment yourself
quant’odi e parli e pensi e miri e senti, each time you hear, speak, think, see or feel,
amor spiri? Che speri? do you breathe love? What do you hope?
Ancor dimori in questa viva morte? Do you still remain in this living death,
in quest’inferno de le tue pene eterno? in this eternal hell of sorrows?
Mori, misera, mori! Die, wretched one, die!
Che tardi piú? che fai? Why hesitating more? What are you doing?
Perché, mort’al piacer, vivi al martire? Why, when dead to pleasure, living in anguish?
Perché vivi al morire? Why live for death?
Consuma il duol Make an end of the grief
che ti consuma omai, that has all but made an end of you
di questa morte che par vita uscendo. by departing from this death which only seems
Mori, meschina, al tuo morir morendo. to be life.
Die, wretched one and put your death to death.
20 Piagne e sospira; e quand’ i caldi raggi She weeps and sighs; and when the sheep
fuggon le gregi a la dolc’ ombr’ assise, abandon the warm rays, resting in the gentle
ne la scorza de’ pini o pur de’ faggi shade, on
segnò l’amato nome in mille guise; the bark of pines or beeches
e de la sua fortuna i gravi oltraggi she wrote the beloved name in a thousand
e i vari casi in dura scorza incise; ways; and
e in rilegendo poi le proprie note carved in hard bark the deep offenses and the
spargea di pianto le vermiglie gote. many twists of her fortune;
and then, reading her own messages again
she watered his vermilion cheeks with tears.
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SUNG TEXTS
CD5 Libro V Cruel Amaryllis, your very name, alas,
1 Cruda Amarilli che col nome ancora betokens the bitterness of love;
d’amar, ahi lasso, amaramente insegni; Amaryllis, paler and more beautiful
Amarilli, del candido ligustro than the pale privet flower,
più candida e più bella, yet wilder, more elusive and unhearing
ma de l’aspido sordo than the deaf serpent,
e più sorda e più fera e più fugace, since by speaking I offend you,
poi che col dir t’offendo in silence shall I die.
i’ mi morrò tacendo.
O Mirtillo, my beloved Mirtillo
2 O Mirtillo, Mirtill’anima mia if you could but see inside
se vedessi qui dentro the heart of the one
come sta il cor di questa you call cruellest Amaryllis,
che chiami crudelissima Amarilli, I know full well you would feel
so ben che tu di lei just that pity you beg of her.
quella pietà che da lei chiedi avresti. O spirits so unhappy in love!
Oh anime in amor troppo infelici! My heart, what good is it to be loved?
Che giova a te, cor mio, l’esser amato? What good to me to have so dear a lover?
Che giova a me l’aver sì caro amante? Why, cruel destiny,
Perché, crudo destino, do you divide us when Love would bind us?
ne disunisci tu, s’Amor ne stringe? And why do you bind us together,
E tu perché ne stringi, when destiny divides us, perfidious Love?
se ne parte il destin, perfido Amore?
My spirit
3 Era l’anima mia was already approaching its final hours,
già presso a l’ultim’ore, and was fading like a dying soul
e languia come langue alma che more, when a most lovely and welcome spirit
quand’anima più bella e più gradita turned a gaze of such mercy on me
volse lo sguard’in sì pietoso giro as to spare my life.
che mi mantenn’in vita. Those beautiful eyes seemed to say:
Parean dir quei bei lumi: ‘Ah, why do you suffer so?
deh, perché ti consumi? My own heart and life are not so dear
Non m’è sì car’ il cor ond’io respiro to me as are you, my love.
come se’ tu, cor mio. If you die, alas, I, not you, shall perish.’
Se mori, ohimè, non mori tu, mor’io.
4 Ecco, Silvio, colei che in odio hai tanto; Lo, Silvio, she whom so you detest;
eccola in quella guisa see, there she lies,
che la volevi a ponto. just as you wanted her to.
Bramastila ferir, ferita l’hai; You longed to hurt her, you have done;
bramastila tua preda, eccola preda; you longed for her to be your victim, so she is;
bramastila al fin morta, eccola a morte. finally you longed for her death, she is dying.
Che vòi tu più da lei? Che ti può dare What more do you want from her? What more
più di questo Dorinda? Ah, garzon crudo! than this can Dorinda give you? Ah, cruel youth!
Ah, cor senza pietà! Tu non credesti Ah, pitiless heart! You did not believe in
la piaga che per te mi fece Amore: the wound dealt me by Love for you:
puoi questa or tu negar de la tua mano? can you now deny this one, dealt by your hand?
Non hai credut’il sangue You did not believe in the life blood
ch’i’ versava per gli occhi; that poured from my eyes;
crederai questo che ’l mio fianco versa? will you believe the blood pouring from my
side?
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5 Ma, se con la pietà non è in te spenta Yet, if your innate kindness and courage
gentilezza e valor che teco nacque, died not when your pity did,
non mi negar, ti prego, deny me not I beg you,
anima cruda sì, ma però bella, cruel, yet beautiful spirit,
non mi negar a l’ultimo sospiro no, at my last breath deny me not
un tuo solo sospir. Beata morte, one last sigh from you. Death would be
se l’addolcissi tu con questa sola a blessing, were you to ease it
dolcissima parola, with the sweetest of words,
voce cortese e pia: in gentle and holy tones:
va’ in pace, anima mia. ‘Go in peace, my love’.
6 Dorinda, ah, dirò mia, se mia non sei Dorinda, ah shall I call you mine,
se non quando ti perdo e quando morte though you are only mine now that I lose you
da me ricevi, e mia non fosti allora to death by my hand, and were not mine
che ti potei dar vita? when could I have given you life?
Pur mia dirò, ché mia Still I shall call you mine, for you shall be so
sarai mal grado di mia dura sorte; despite the cruel will of destiny;
e, se mia non sarai con la tua vita, and if you cannot be mine in life,
sarai con la mia morte. I shall claim you with my death.
10 Deh, bella e cara e sì soave un tempo Ah, beloved, fair and once my dear
cagion del viver mio, mentr’al ciel piacque, reason for living, when it so pleased heaven,
volgi una volta e volgi turn once more and look at me
quelle stelle amorose, with those loving stars,
come le vidi mai, così tranquille full of as much peace and mercy
e piene di pietà, prima ch’io moia; as I ever saw in them, before I die;
ché ’l morir mi fia dolce. so that death may come gently to me.
E dritt’è ben che, se mi furo un tempo And it is right that
dolci segni di vita, or sien di morte those fair and loving eyes
quei belli occhi amorosi; that once meant life to me, now mean death;
e quel soave sguardo and the gentle gaze
che mi scorse ad amare, that led me to love,
mi scorga anco a morire; let it now lead me to death;
e chi fu l’alba mia and let she who was my dawn
del mio cadente dì l’espero or sia. now, as I languish, be my evening star.
11 Ma tu, più che mai dura, But, harder of heart than ever,
favilla di pietà non senti ancora; you still feel not a spark of pity;
anzi t’inaspri più, indeed the more I beg,
quanto più prego. the more unrelenting you become.
Così senza parlar, dunque, m’ascolti? Can you then hear me and say nothing?
A chi parlo infelice? A un muto sasso? To whom do I, poor wretch, speak? A dumb
S’altro non mi vòi dir, dimm’almen: mori! rock?
E morir mi vedrai. If nothing else, at least say to me: ‘die!’
Quest’è ben, empio Amor, miseria estrema: And you will see me perish.
che sì riggida ninfa Wicked Love, this is truly dreadful misery:
non mi risponda e l’armi this unfeeling nymph
d’una sola sdegnosa e cruda voce answers me not and
sdegni di proferire you even deny me the weapons
al mio morire. of a cruel and angry voice
at my death.
14 Ahi, come a un vago sol cortese giro Ah, as if towards a graceful, lovely sun
de’ duo belli occhi, ond’io am I drawn to two beautiful eyes, from which
soffersi il primo dolce stral d’Amore, I was struck by Love’s first dart,
pien d’un novo desio, full of a new desire,
sì pront’a sospirar torna ’l mio core. my heart, ready for love, now returns.
Lasso, non val ascondersi, ch’omai Alas, there is no use in hiding, for by now
conosco i segni che ’l mio cor addita I know the signs that my heart gives
de l’antica ferita. of the old wound.
Ed è gran tempo pur che la saldai. And it is high time this wound closed.
Ah che piaga d’Amor non sana mai! Ah, Love’s wounds never heal.
15 Troppo ben può questo tiranno Amore! Tyrannous Love does his work all too well!
Poi che non val fuggire So well that in vain will those
a chi no ’l può soffrire. who cannot endure him try and flee.
Quand’io penso talor com’arde e punge, When I think of how love burns and stings,
io dico: ah, core stolto, I say: ‘Ah foolish heart,
non l’aspettar, che fai? stay not, what are you doing?
Fuggilo, sì che non ti prenda mai. Run from him ere he catches you.’
Ma, non so, com’il lusinghier mi giunge Somehow, though, his flattery touches me
ch’io dico: ah, core sciolto, so that I say: ‘Ah, errant heart,
perché fuggito l’hai? why did you flee?
Prendilo, sì che non ti fugga mai. Catch him ere he runs from you.’
CD6 Libro VI
Lamento d’Arianna Ariadne’s Lament
1 Lasciatemi morire Let me die.
E chi volete voi che mi conforte And who would you have console me
in così dura sorte, in così gran martire? in such harsh fortune, such dreadful pain?
Lasciatemi morire. Let me die.
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2 O Teseo, o Teseo mio! O Theseus, o my Theseus!
Sì, che mio ti vo’ dir, ché mio pur sei, Yes, I will call you mine, for mine are you still,
benché t’involi, ahi crudo, a gli occhi miei. even though, cruel man, you have fled my sight.
Volgiti, Teseo mio, Turn back, my Theseus,
volgiti, Teseo, o Dio! turn back, Theseus, o God!
Volgiti indietro a rimirar colei Turn back and gaze once more on the woman
che lasciato ha per te la patria e’l regno, who for you has forsaken home and realm,
e’n quest’arene ancora, and who, on this strand,
cibo di fere dispietate e crude, prey to fierce and merciless beasts,
lascerà l’ossa ignude. will leave her bare bones.
O Teseo, o Teseo mio, O Theseus, o my Theseus,
Se tu sapessi, o Dio, if you but knew, o God,
se tu sapessi, oimè, come s’affanna if you but knew, alas, how
la povera Arianna, poor Ariadne is suffering,
forse, forse pentito perhaps, perhaps, repentant
rivolgeresti ancor la prora al lito. would you turn your prow again to shore.
Ma con l’aure serene Yet happily do you sail away
tu te ne vai felice ed io qui piango. on the gentle breeze while here I weep.
A te prepara Attene Athens is preparing splendid
liete pompe superbe, ed io rimango celebrations for you, and I lie here,
cibo di fere in solitarie arene. prey to wild beasts on this solitary strand.
Te l’un e l’altro tuo vecchio parente Your aged parents will both embrace you
stringeran lieto, ed io joyfully while I shall never see you again, o
più non vedrovi, o madre, o padre mio. mother, o my father.
3 Dove, dove è la fede Where, where is the fidelity
che tanto mi giuravi? you swore so fervently to me?
Così ne l’alta sede Is it thus that you place me
tu mi ripon de gli avi? on the high throne of my ancestors?
Son queste le corone Are these the crowns
onde m’adorni il crine? with which you adorn my brow?
Questi li scetri sono? Are these the sceptres?
Queste le gemme e gli ori? These the gems and the gold?
Lasciarmi in abandono Have you thus abandoned me
a fera che mi stracci e mi divori? to beasts to tear me to shreds and and devour
Ah Teseo, ah Teseo mio! me?
Lascerai tu morire, Ah Theseus, ah Theseus mine!
invan piangendo, invan gridando aita, Will you leave the wretched Ariadne to die,
la misera Arianna, weeping and calling out for help in vain,
ch’a te fidossi e ti die’ gloria e vita? she who trusted you and gave you life and
glory?
6 Una donna fra l’altre onesta e bella From all the chorus of beauty fair
vidi nel coro di bellezza adorno I spied one chaste and lovely woman
l’armi vibrar, mover il piede intorno, brandish her weapons as she paced,
feritrice d’amor, d’amor rubella. the attacker and enemy of love.
Uscìan dal caro viso auree quadrella, Golden arrows issued from her dear face,
e’n quella notte che fe’ invidia e scorno and that night, when the sun of her lovely eyes
col sol de’ suoi belli occhi al chiaro giorno, put the envious daylight to shame,
si rese ogni alma spettatrice ancella. every soul that saw her was enslaved.
Non diede passo allor che non ferisse, She took not one step that did not wound,
né girò ciglio mai che non sanasse, nor ever gave a glance that did not heal,
né vi fu cor che’l suo ferir fugisse; not one heart fled from her wounds;
non ferì alcun che risanar bramasse, no one once wounded longed for healing,
né fu sanato alcun che non languisse, no one once healed did not still languish,
né fu languente alfin che non l’amasse. no one once languishing did not love her.
7 «A dio, Florida bella, il cor piagato ‘Farewell, fair Florida, I leave you
Nel mio partir ti lascio, e porto meco my ailing heart as I go, and take with me
la memoria di te, sì come seco the memory of you, as with it
cervo trafitto suol lo strale alato». the wounded stag must take the winged barb.’
«Caro mio Floro, a dio. L’amaro stato ‘Beloved Florus, farewell. May Love console
consoli Amor del nostro viver cieco, ché, the bitterness of our dark lives, for,
se ’l tuo cor mi resta, il mio vien teco, if your heart stays with me, mine goes with you,
com’augellin che vola al cibo amato». as the little bird flutters to its favourite food.’
Così sul Tebro a lo spuntar del sole Thus on the Tiber as the sun rose
quinci e quindi confuso un suon s’udìo from here and there was heard a muted sound
di sospiri, di baci e di parole. of sighs and kisses and murmuring.
«Ben mio, rimanti in pace». «E tu, ben mio, ‘Beloved, stay in peace.’ ‘And you, beloved,
vattene in pace, e sia quel che’l ciel vole». go in peace, and let heaven’s wish be granted.’
«A dio, Floro» (dicean) «Florida, a dio». ‘Farewell Florus,’ (they said) ‘Florida, farewell.’
Lagrime d’Amante al sepolcro dell’Amata A Lover’s Tears at the Tomb of his Beloved
8 Incenerite spoglie, avara tomba, Remains turned to ashes, at the miserly tomb
fatta del mio bel sol terreno cielo, made earthly paradise by my fair sun,
ahi lasso, i’vegno ad inchinarvi in terra. alas and alack, I come to lay you in earth.
Con voi chius’è ’l mio cor a’ marmi in seno, With you is my heart buried deep in a marble
e notte e giorno vive in pianto in foco vault,
in duolo in ira il tormentato Glauco. and night and day the tormented Glaucus
lives in flames, in sorrow and in anger.
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9 Ditelo, o fiumi, e voi, ch’udiste Glauco Say it, o rivers, and you, lonely fields
l’aria ferir di grida in su la tomba, who hear Glaucus rend the air with cries over
erme campagne, e’l san le Ninfe e’l cielo: her tomb, that the Nymphs and heaven may
a me fu cibo il duol, bevanda il pianto, know:
letto, o sasso felice, il tuo bel seno, grief has become my food, tears my drink,
poi ch’il mio ben coprì gelida terra. your fair breast, o happy rock, my bed,
since my beloved was laid in frozen earth.
10 Darà la notte il sol lume alla terra, The sun will light up the earth by night,
splenderà Cinzia il dì, prima che Glauco the moon will shine by day, ere Glaucus
di baciar, d’onorar lasci quel seno cease kissing and honouring that breast
che nido fu d’Amor, che dura tomba wherein Love nested, and which now lies
preme. Né sol d’alti sospir, di pianto crushed in a sad grave. The beasts and heaven
prodighe a lui saran le fere e’l cielo. will greatly pity his sighs and tears.
11 Ma te raccoglie, o Ninfa, in grembo ’l cielo. Yet heaven gathers you, o Nymph, to its breast.
Io per te miro vedova la terra, Without you is the earth widowed,
deserti i boschi e correr fiumi il pianto; the woods are deserted, and tears flow in
e Driadi e Napee del mesto Glauco rivers;
ridicono i lamenti, e su la tomba and Dryads and Wood Nymphs echo
cantano i pregi de l’amato seno. the grieving Glaucus’ lament, and over your tom
sing the praises of his beloved’s heart.
12 O chiome d’or, neve gentil del seno, O golden tresses, snow-white breast,
o gigli de la man, ch’invido il cielo hands like lilies, stolen away by jealous
ne rapì, quando chiuse in cieca tomba, heaven, though entombed in darkness,
chi vi nasconde? Oimè! povera terra. who can hide you? Alas, poor earth.
Il fior d’ogni bellezza, il sol di Glauco! The flower of every beauty, Glaucus’ sun!
Ah Muse, ah Muse, qui sgorgate il pianto. Ah Muses, ah Muses, here let your tears flow.
13 Dunque, amate reliquie, un mar di pianto Therefore, beloved remains, will these eyes
non daran questi lumi al nobil seno not shed a sea of tears over the noble breast
d’un freddo sasso? Ecco l’afflitto Glauco of this cold stone? Hark, wretched Glaucus
fa rissonar «Corinna» il mar e’l cielo; makes ocean and heaven resound with his cry,
dicano i venti ognor, dica la terra: ‘Corinna’; may the earth and all the winds utter
«Ahi Corinna, ahi Corinna, forth: ‘Alas, Corinna, alas, Corinna, alas, death,
ahi morte, ahi tomba». alas, grave.’
Cedano al pianto i detti, amato seno; Let words yield to tears, beloved breast;
a te dia pace il ciel; pace a te, Glauco, may heaven give you peace; peace to you,
prega onorata tomba e sacra terra. Glaucus, you who pray at this honoured grave,
this sacred ground.
14 Oimè il bel viso, oimè’l soave sguardo, Alas, that lovely face, alas, that gentle look,
oimè’l leggiadro portamento altero; alas, that graceful, proud bearing;
oimè’l parlar ch’ogni aspr’ingegn’e fero alas, that voice that humbled all harsh and cruel
faceva umile, ed ogni uom vil gagliardo. minds, and inspired courage in all cowards.
Ed oimè il dolce riso, ond’uscì il dardo And alas, that sweet laugh, which fired a dart
di che morte, altro ben già mai non spero: from which I hope for naught but death: regal
alma real, dignissima d’impero, soul, so worthy of reigning, if onl you had come
se non fosse fra noi scesa sì tardo! to us sooner!
Per voi convien ch’io arda, e’n voi respire, It is right that I burn for you, take breath from
ch’i’ pur fui vostro; e se di voi son privo, you, for I was yours; and if I have lost you,
via men d’ogni sventura altra mi dole. my grief outweighs all other misfortune.
Di speranza m’empieste e di desire, You filled me with hope and desire,
quand’io partì’ dal sommo piacer vivo; when I departed, alive with greatest pleasure,
ma’l vento ne portava le parole. but the wind carried away our words.
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15 Qui rise, o Tirsi, e qui ver’ me rivolse Here laughed, o Thyrsis, and here gazed
le due stelle d’amor la bella Clori. on me fair Chloris with her two loving stars.
Qui, per ornarmi il crin, de’ più bei fiori, Here to crown my brow, she gathered
al suon de le mie canne, un grembo colse. the prettiest flowers in her lap as I piped.
Qui l’angelica voce e le parole, Here her angelic voice and the words
ch’umiliaro i più superbi tori; with which she tamed the proudest bulls;
qui le grazie scherzar vidi e gli amori, here I saw Graces and cupids playing
quando le chiome d’or sparte raccolse. as she gathered up her golden tresses.
Qui con meco s’assise, e qui mi cinse Here she sat with me, and here she put
del caro braccio il fianco, e dolce intorno her dear arm around me and, gently
stringendomi la man, l’alma mi strinse. clasping my hand, captured my soul.
Qui d’un bacio ferimmi, e’l viso adorno Here she wounded me with a kiss, and
di bel vermiglio vergognando tinse. tinged my face with a soft crimson blush.
O memoria felice, o lieto giorno. O happy memory, o joyous day.
16 Misero Alceo, del caro albergo fore Wretched Alceus, now must you away from
gir pur convienti, e ch’al partir t’apresti. this dear shelter and prepare to depart.
«Ecco, Lidia, ti lascio, e lascio questi ‘See, Lydia, I leave you, leave these
poggi beati, e lascio teco il core. blessed hills, and with you leave my heart.
Tu, se di pari laccio e pari ardore If you were ever bound to me with the same
meco legata fosti e meco ardesti, bonds,
fa’ che ne’ duo talor giri celesti if you ever loved me with the same love,
s’annidi e posi, ov’egli vive e more. allow my heart sometimes to rest and find its
Sì, mentre lieto il cor staratti a canto, home in those two heavenly circles, where it
gli occhi, lontani da soave riso, lives and dies.
mi daran vita con l’umor del pianto». Yes while my heart is happy by your side,
Così disse il pastor dolente in viso. my eyes, far from your gentle laughter,
La Ninfa udillo, will give me life with the nectar of tears.’
e fu in due parti intanto Such were the words of the sorrowful shepherd.
l’un cor da l’altro, anzi un sol cor, diviso. The Nymph heard him,
and while one heart was parted from the other,
it was rather a single heart split in two.
17 Batto, qui pianse Ergasto Ecco la riva Defeated, here wept Ergastus. This is the bank
ove, mentre seguia cerva fugace, on which, as she pursued a fleeing hind,
fuggendo Clori il suo pastor seguace, Chloris fled her pursuing shepherd,
non so se più seguiva o se fuggiva. I no longer know if she was pursuing or fleeing.
«Deh, mira!» – egli dicea – «Se fuggitiva ‘Ah, look!’ said he. ‘If you take such pleasure
fera pur saettar tanto ti piace, in firing arrows at a wild beast as it flees,
saetta questo cor che soffrein pace fire at his heart for quietly it endures its
le piaghe, anzi ti segue e non le schiva. wounds,
Lasso, non m’odi?». indeed it pursues you and avoides them not.
E qui tremante e fioco Alas, you hear me not?’
e tacque e giacque. A questi ultimi accenti And here trembling and weak,
l’empia si volse e rimirollo un poco. he fell silent and lay still. At these last words,
Allor di nove Amor fiamme cocenti the cruel girl turned and looked at him a while.
l’accese. Or chi dirà che non sia foco Then Love with new and blazing ardour
l’umor che cade da duo lumi ardenti? inflamed her. Now who will say that the drops
that fall from two burning eyes are not of fire?
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18 Presso un fiume tranquillo On the bank of a quiet-flowing river
disse a Filena Eurillo: Euryllus said to Philena:
«Quanto son queste arene ‘As measureless as these grains of sand
tante son le mie pene, are the sorrows I feel,
e quante son quell’onde and as myriad as the waves
tante ho per te nel cor piaghe profonde». are the wounds in my heart for you.’
Rispose, d’amor piena, Filled with love,
ad Eurillo Filena: Philena answered thus Euryllus:
«Quante la terra ha foglie ‘As numberless as the earth’s leaves
tante son le mie doglie, are the torments I feel,
e quante il cielo ha stelle and as infinite as heaven’s stars
tante ho per te nel cor vive fiammelle». are the flames ablaze in my heart for you.’
Dunque con lieto core And so with a happy heart,
soggionse indi il pastore: the shepherd added then:
«Quanti ha l’aria augelletti ‘As countless as the birds in the sky
siano i nostri diletti, may our joys be,
e quant’hai tu bellezze and as bounteous as your beauty
tante in noi versi Amor care dolcezze». may Love’s sweetness for us be.’
«Sì, sì» con voglie accese ‘Yes, yes,” with burning desire,
l’un e l’altro riprese: did one and the other reply:
«Facciam, concordi amanti, ‘Let us, in loving accord,
pari le gioie ai pianti, have as many joys as tears,
a le guerre le paci: as much peace as war:
se fur mille i martir, sien mille i baci». and let our kisses equal our afflictions.’
9 Non vedrò mai le stelle ne’ bei celesti giri, Never shall I see the stars that turn in heaven,
perfida, ch’io non miri faithless girl, without also seeing
gli occhi che fur presenti the eyes that bore witness
alla dura cagion de’ miei tormenti, to the cruel cause of my torment,
e ch’io non dica lor: o luci belle, and saying to them: o beautiful stars,
deh siate sì rubelle di lume a chi rubella è sì di ah, deny your light to she who denies faith,
fede, she who before so many eyes, so many lights,
ch’anzi a rant’occhi e tanti lumi betrayed her lover’s heart despite her pledge of
ha core tradire amante sotto fe’ d’amore. love.
10 Ah, che non si conviene romper la fede Ah, it is not right to break faith
a chi la fe’ mantiene. with one who remains steadfast.
Il mio fermo voler è quegli’ istesso My love remains strong though
lontan da voi, ch’esservi suole appresso, far from you, when it is used to being close.
nè può cangiarlo morte, Neither death nor cruel fate
nè sia malbvagia sorte: can alter it:
ma, fermo come a l’onde immobil scoglio, for, strong as a rock that withstands the waves,
e viver vostro e morir vostro io voglio. would I live with you and die with you.
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11 Ecco vicine, o bella tigre, l’ore The time is nigh, o fair Tigress,
che tu de gli occhi mi nasconda i rai: for you to hide the rays of your sun from me:
ah che l’anima mia non sentì mai, ah, my heart never wanted you to stay more
meglio che dal partir, le tue dimore! than it does now that we must part.
Fuggimi pur con sempiterno errore: Flee from me then to wander forever:
sotto straniero ciel, ovunque sai though beneath foreign skies, you know
che, quanto più peregrinando vai, wherever your journey takes you,
cittadina ti sento in mezzo al core. you will always have a home in my heart.
ma potess’io seguir, solingo errante, Yet if only I could follow, wandering lonely,
o sia per valli o sia per monti o sassi, through valleys, over rocky mountains,
l’orme del tuo bel piè leggiadre e sante: in the tracks of your beloved, carefree steps:
ch’andrei là dove spiri e dove passi, for I would go wherever you walk and breathe,
con la bocca e col cor, devoto amante, with heart and mouth, the devoted love,
baciando l’aria ed adorando i passi. kissing the air and worshipping in your steps.
12 Perché fuggi tra’ salci, Why do you flee amongst the willows,
ritrosetta ma bella, reluctant but beautiful,
o cruda tra le crude pastorella? oh cruel, oh cruellest shepherdess?
Perché un bacio ti tolsi? Because I stole a kiss?
Miser più che felice, More wretched than happy
corsi per sugger vita, e mor te colsi. I pursued you to taste life and found death
Quel bacio che m’ha morto, instead.
tra le rose d’amor pungente spina, That kiss killed me,
fu più vendetta tua che mia rapina. amongst the prickly thorns of Love’s roses,
was more your vengeance than my plunder.
Non è già parte in voi che con forza invisibile There is nothing in you that does not drag me
d’amore tutto a sè non mi tragga: with the invisible power of love:
altro già non son io che di vostra beltà preda e I am nothing more than prey and prize of your
trofeo. beauty.
A voi mi volgo, o chiome, cari miei lacci d’oro: To you I turn, oh, hair, beloved braids of gold:
deh, come mai potea scampar sicuro ah, how shall I escape
se come lacci l’anima legaste, come oro la if you have tied my soul like a plait, and bought
compraste? it like gold?
Voi, pur voi dunque siete della mia libertà You, for you are the chain and the price of my
catena e prezzo. freedom.
Stami miei preziosi, bionde fila divine, My jewels, fair divine twine,
con voi l’eterna Parca you are used by eternal Parca
sovra il fuso fatal mia vita torce. on her fatal spindle, weaving of my life.
Voi, voi capelli d’oro, voi pur siete di lei, You, you braids of gold, you belong to she
ch’è tutta il foco mio, raggi e faville; who is all my fire, my rays and lightning:
ma, se faville siete, onde avvien che ad ogn’ora for, if lightning you are, why unlike fire,
contro l’uso del foco in giù scendete? do you descend?
Ah che a voi per salir scender conviene, Ah, you need descend to go up,
ché la magion celeste ove aspirate, the high heaven that you yearn for,
o sfera de gli ardori, o paradiso, oh, sphere of passion, oh, paradise,
è posta in quel bel viso. lives in that radiant face.
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Cara mia selva d’oro, ricchissimi capelli, My beloved forest of gold, finest braids,
in voi quel labirinto Amor intesse in you Love wove a labyrinth
onde uscir non saprà l’anima mia. where my soul is lost.
Tronchi pur morte i rami del prezioso bosco Can death cut the branches of the lovely wood,
e da la fragil carne scuota pur lo mio spirto, and from delicate flesh free my spirit,
che tra fronde sì belle, anco recise, but in such a beautiful, yet pruned, canopy,
rimarrò prigioniero, I shall remain captive,
fatto gelida polve ed ombra ignuda. made cold dust and knotted shadow.
Dolcissimi legami, belle mie piogge d’oro Sweetest twine, my beautiful golden rain
quali or sciolte cadete da quelle ricche nubi each drop falling from those rich clouds
onde raccolte siete e, cadendo, formate that hold you and, in falling, you make
preziose procelle onde con onde d’or bagnando pretty storms and break waves and waves of
andate gold,
scogli di latte e rivi d’alabastro, more swiftly shaded, in crags of milk and rivers of
subitamente alabaster
(o miracolo eterno d’amoroso desìo) (oh, eternal miracle of loving desire),
fra si belle tempeste arse il cor mio. in those beautiful storms my heart was burnt.
(Partenza amorosa…in genere rappresentativo) If heaven wishes and ordains, o sun who gives
10 Se pur destina e vole il cielo, almo mio sole, me life,
che in tenebre mi viva, ascolta alma mia diva, that I should live in darkness, listen, my noble
ciò che potrà ridire fra cotanto martire goddess,
di sconsolato amante lingua fredda e tremante. to what the cold, trembling tongue of a forlorn
O del cor luce e speme, odi le voci estreme: lover
odile e del bel seno will say to you despite its suffering.
una lagrima almeno bagni la viva neve. O light and hope of my heart, hear these final
Rimira, ah come lieve per l’eterno cammino words:
s’affretta, e già vicino splende l’infausto giorno hear them, and let at least
che dal bel ciglio adorno mi condurrà lontano. one tear bathe the bright snows of your lovely
Deh con più lenta mano sferza i destrieri breast.
ardenti, See, ah, how joyfully it hurries down its eternal
Febo, se a’ tuoi lamenti trecce dorate e bionde path, though that unhappy day is already nigh
tornin l’amate fronde. which will take me far away from your beautiful
O pensier vani e folli! eyes.
Che spero, ohimé, che volli? Ah, slow the hand that whips your ardent
steeds,
Phoebus, and at your lament may your beloved
laurel boughs
turn back into Daphne’s golden locks.
O vain and foolish thoughts!
What hope is there, alas, what did I want?
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Già dibattendo l’ale gionge l’ora fatale The fateful hour of my bitter departure
dell’aspra mia partita, vita de la mia vita, is already beating its wings, life of my life,
a te non dico a dio ché se l’alm’e’l cor mio, No farewell shall I say to you who are my heart
se lascio ogni mio bene e con la cara speme and soul,
resta ogni bel desìo, a me vò dire addio. if I leave everything dear to me, and with
A me, che triste e solo, preda d’immortal duolo, beloved hope remains each sweet desire, to
da me medesimo, lasso, volgo partendo il myself shall I say farewell.
passo.Lumi, voi che vedeste della beltà celeste, To myself, as sad and alone, subject to
allor ch’arsi e gelai, splender sì vaghi i rai, everlasting grief,
a voi, tremante e muto, a voi dimando aiuto. alas, away from myself do I turn to leave.
Ridite, occhi, ridite con lagrime infinite, O eyes, you who saw shine so brightly the rays
ridite innanzi a lei gli affanni acerbi e rei, of heavenly beauty, while I burned and froze,
ch’io non saprei ridire di contanto martire from you, as I silently tremble, from you do I
ne pur minima parte. Solo dirò che parte beg help.
il più leale amante che mai fermasse piante Tell again, eyes, tell again with infinite tears,
nell’amoroso regno; che di laccio il più degno tell her of my cruel and dreadful torment,
incatenato visse di quanti unqua n’ordisse for I cannot utter a single word about such
Amor per altra etade, che per casta beltade suffering.
temprò sì bei lamenti che’l mar, la terra e i venti I shall only say that the most faithful lover who
ne sospiraro, e’l cielo di lagrimoso velo, ever set foot in the realm of love is leaving; that
pietoso a’ suoi sospiri, sparse gli almi zaffiri; he has lived bound by the most worthy ropes of
e potrei dir ancora ch’unqua non vide aurora all those Love ever wove, at any time, that he,
specchiarsi in mar sì bella né l’amorosa stella for a chaste beauty has sung such sweet
se non oscura e vile, dopo l’ardor gentile laments that sea, earth and winds
delle stellanti ciglia, immortal meraviglia sighed over them, and heaven taking pity on
in cui mirando, a volo varco le nubi e’l polo. their sighs,
Ma deh, luci serene, de le mie care pene scattered a soothing shower of sapphire tears;
dolcissimo conforto, chi scorgerammi in porto and I could also say that never was a lovelier
per questo mar insano, se da voi m’allontano? dawn seen reflected in the sea, while the star of
Ahi che mia stanca nave rimiro, e’l cor ne pave, love seemed dark and empty after the gentle
fra turbini e tempeste, e del lume celeste ardour of those sparkling eyes, that immortal
invan sospiro i rai, stelle che tanto amai. wonder whose gaze sends me flying above the
Ma qual timor mi punge? Ove n’andrò si lunge clouds.
ch’io perda il dolce lume? Qual monte mai, qual Yet, alas, serene lights, sweetest consolation
fiume, to my dear sorrows, who will guide me to port
qual mar farammi eclissi che nel mio sol non across this stormy sea once I am far from you?
fissi Ah, I steer my weary ship, and my heart
il cor, l’alma e i pensieri, se de quei raggi altieri trembles,
per entro il cor profondo la luce e’l cor amid gales and tempests, and in vain I long for
ascondo? rays of heavenly light, o stars I loved so much.
Partirà ben il piede: Amor prestami fede. But what fear spurs me? Where shall I go, so far
Per te, alma mia diva, partirà sì ma schiva away that I lose your gentle light? What
de la gravosa salma farà volando l’alma mountain, what river,
dolcissimo soggiorno ai suo bel ciel ritorno. what sea will ever eclipse the sun on which I fix
my heart, my soul, my thoughts, as long as I
hold the light and heart
of those proud rays deep within my soul?
I must away now: Love, have faith in me.
For you my divine spirit will leave, it is true, but,
free of its burdensome body, my soul will soar
as it returns to the lovely firmament, there to
dwell in sweetness.
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11 Chiome d’oro, bel tesoro, Golden tresses, oh so precious,
tu mi leghi in mille modi you bind me in a thousand ways
se t’annodi, se ti snodi. whether coiled or flowing freely.
O bel nodo per cui godo! Oh dear bonds in which I take delight!
O soave uscir di vita! Oh fair mortality!
O gradita mia ferita! Oh welcome wound!
CLORI: CLORIS:
Dolcissimo Tirsi, già vanno ad unirsi, Sweetest Thyrsis, they come to be united,
già tiene legata l’amante l’amata; the lover is now holding the beloved entwined;
già movon concorde il suono alle corde: now they are tuning the winds and the strings:
noi soli negletti ui stiamo soletti. only we, neglected, are standing here alone.
TIRSI: THYRSIS:
Su, Clori, mio core, andianne a quel loco, Come, Cloris, my love, let us go to that place,
ch’invitano al gioco le Grazie ed Amori; Invited to join in the sport by the Graces and
già Tirsi distende la mano e ti prende, Cupids; see, Thyrsis holds out his hand to clasp
ché teco sol vuole menar le carole. you, since only with you will he take part in the
round.
CLORI: CLORIS:
Sì, Tirsi, mia vita, ch’a te solo unita Yes, Thyrsis, my life joined with you alone
vo’ girne danzando, vo’ girne cantando. will I go dancing, will I go singing.
Pastor, benché degno, non faccia disegno Let no shepherd, be he ever so worthy, be so
di mover le piante con Clori sua amante. bold as to desire to go to the dance with Cloris,
your beloved.
Tu cui tessuta han di Cesare alloro You, for whom [Mars and] Bellona
la corona immortal, mentre Bellona, weaved with Caesarean laurels the immortal
gradite il verde ancor novo lavoro, crown you delight in the task, still new,
che mentre guerre canta e guerre sona, for whilst wars are sung and wars are played
oh gran Fernando, l’orgoglioso choro, oh Great Ferdinand, the proud choir
del tuo sommo valor canta e ragiona. sings the praises of your great bravery.
2 Or che ’l ciel e la terra e ’l vento tace Now that the sky and the earth and the wind
e le fere e gli augelli il sonno affrena, are silent and the wild creatures and the birds
notte il carro stellato in giro mena are reined in sleep,
e nel suo letto il mar senz’onda giace. night leads its starry chariot in its round,
and the sea without a wave lies in its bed.
Veglio, penso, ardo, piango; e chi mi sface I look, think, burn, weep: and she who destroys
sempre m’è inanzi per mia dolce pena: me is always before my eyes to my sweet
guerra è ’l mio stato, d’ira et di duol piena, distress:
et sol di lei pensando ò qualche pace. war is my state, filled with grief and anger,
and only in thinking of her do I find some peace.
3 Cosí sol d’una chiara fonte viva So from one pure living fountain
move ’l dolce e l’amaro ond’io mi pasco; flow the sweet and bitter which I drink:
una man sola mi risana e punge; one hand alone heals me and pierces me:
e perché ’l mio martir non giunga a riva, and since I cannot see an end of my suffering
mille volte il dí moro e mille nasco; I am born and die a thousand times a day,
tanto da la salute mia son lunge. I am so far from my salvation.
7 Vuol degli occhi attaccar il baloardo, He wants to attack the bastion of my eyes
con impeto gagliardo. with an impetuous charge.
Su presto, ch’egli qui senz’alcun fallo, Quickly, act, for he is here and no mistake,
tutti a cavallo! Everyone to his horse!
9 Cor mio, non val fuggir, My heart, you cannot flee, you are dead
sei morto e servo d’un tiranno protervo, and the servant of an arrogant tyrant,
Che ’l vincitor, che già dentro alla piazza, For the conqueror, already inside the court,
Grida: ‘Foco, ammazza!’ Cries: ‘Fire, slaughter!’
12 Ardo, avvampo, mi struggo! Accorrete I burn, I burn, in flames I melt; come here,
amici, vicini, all’infiammato loco! neighbours, friends, to the flaming place!
Al ladro, al ladro! Al tradimento! Al foco! Theft, theft, betrayal, fire;
Scale, accette, martelli, acqua prendete! bring ladders, axes, hammers, water;
E voi, torri sacrate, anco tacete? And you, sacred (bell) towers, you are still;
Su, su, bronzi, ch’io dal gridar son roco, come on, bronze (bells), that I am hoarse from
dite il periglio altrui non lieve o poco, crying; tell everybody about the danger, not
e degl’incendi miei pietà chiedete! small or little, and ask for pity for my fires.
Son due belli occhi il ladro, e seco Amore Two beautiful eyes are the thief; and with them
l’incendiario che l’inique faci Love that the unrighteous torches threw into
dentro la rocca m’avventò del core! the fortress of my heart:
Ecco i rimedi omai vani e fallaci, ‘Alas, now remedies are vain and bound to fail,’
Mi dice ogn’un per sì beato ardore: everyone tells me, ‘For such a happy burning:
lascia che ’l cor s’incenerisca, e taci. let your heart become ashes, and be silent!’
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Combattimento di Tancredi e Clorinda The Battle of Tancredi and Clorinda
13 Tancredi, che Clorinda un uomo stima, Tancredi, thinking Clorinda to be a man,
vol ne l’armi provarla al paragone. wishes to test her in combat.
Va girando colei l’alpestre cima She wanders about the rocky peak
ver altra porta ove d’entrar dispone. towards another gate that she may enter.
Segue egli impetuoso onde assai prima He follows her so impetuously that before
che giunga in guisa avvien che d’armi suone, he reaches her his armour clatters,
ch’ella si volge e grida: ‘O tu, che porte so that she turns and cries: ‘You, what do you
correndo sì?’ Rispose: ‘E guerra e morte.’ bring, Running so?’ He replies: ‘War and death!’
‘Guerra e mort’havrai,’ disse. ‘Io non rifiuto ‘War and death you will have,’ she says. ‘I do
darlati se la cerchi,’ e fermo attende. not refuse to give it to you, if you seek it,’ and
Nè vol Tancredi, ch’ebbe a piè veduto stopping, she waits.
il suo nemico, usar cavallo, e scende, Tancredi does not wish, seeing his enemy
e impugna l’uno e l’altro il ferro acuto on foot, to use his horse; he dismounts,
ed aguzza l’orgoglio e l’ira accende. and each seizes his sharp sword,
E vansi incontro a passi tardi e lenti whetting his pride, his anger igniting.
quai due tori gelosi e d’ira ardenti. And they advance upon one another with steps
slow and heavy,
Like two jealous bulls, and with anger burning.
[Sinfonia] [Sinfonia]
Notte, che nel profondo oscuro seno Night, you who within your deep dark breast
chiudesti e nell’oblio fatto sì grande, conceal in oblivion a feat so great –
degno d’un chiaro sol, degno d’un pieno worthy of clear daylight, of a full
teatro opre sarian sì memorande, theatre, events that would be so memorable –
piacciati ch’indi il tragga e’n bel sereno may it please you that I bring it forth and, in the
alle future età lo spieghi e mande open, to future ages reveal and proclaim it.
viva la fama lor e tra lor gloria Long live their fame and, in their glory,
splenda del fosco tuo l’alta memoria. Let shine the lofty memory of your darkness!
Non schivar, non parar, non pur ritrarsi They neither flinch, nor parry, nor retreat,
voglion costor nè qui destrezza ha parte. nor does dexterity here play a role.
Non danno i colpi hor finti hor pieni hor scarsi; They do not give blows now feigned, now full,
now weak;
Toglie l’ombra e ’l furor l’uso dell’arte. The darkness and their rage prevent the use of
Odi le spade orribilimente urtarsi strategy.
a mezzo il ferro e ’l piè d’orma non parte. Hear their swords clashing horribly
Sempre il piè fermo e la man sempre in moto, in the middle of the blades – and their feet
nè scende taglio in van nè punta a voto. remain planted.
Their feet always firm, hands always in motion,
no stroke falls in vain, nor any swordpoint
astray.
L’onta irrita lo sdegno alla vendetta Dishonour [when one is struck] spurs anger to
e la vendetta poi l’onta rinnova, revenge, and revenge then renews dishonor;
onde sempre al ferir, sempre alla fretta thus constantly to wounding and to haste
stimol novo s’aggiunge e piaga nova. new stimulation is added, and new wounds.
D’hor in hor più si mesce e più ristretta Closer and closer they mingle, and closer
si fa la pugna e spada oprar non giova; grows the fight, so that swords are useless;
dansi coi pomi e infelloniti e crudi, they strike with their pommels, roughly and
cozzan con gli elmi insieme e con gli scudi. cruelly, they butt each other with their helmets
and shields.
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Tre volte il cavalier la donna stringe Three times the knight squeezes the lady
con le robuste braccia ed altre tante, with strong arms, and each time
poi da quei nodi tenaci ella si scinge, from that tenacious embrace she frees herself –
nodi di fier nemico e non d’amante. the embrace of a fierce enemy, not a lover.
Tornano al ferro e l’un e l’altro il tinge They return to the sword, and each stains it
di molto sangue, e stanco ed anelante with much blood; exhausted and breathless,
e questi e quegli alfin pur si ritira each finally retreats
e dopo lungo faticar respira. and after long struggles breathes.
L’un l’altro guarda e del suo corpo esangue The one regards the other, the weight of his
sul pomo della spada appoggia il peso. pale body resting on the pommel of his sword.
Già de l’ultima stella il raggio langue By now the rays of the last star are languishing
sul primo albor ch’è in oriente acceso. in the first dawn that has risen in the east.
Vede Tancredi in maggior copia il sangue Tancredi sees the greater quantity of blood
del suo nemico e sè non tanto offeso. shed by his enemy and that he himself is not so
Ne gode e insuperbisce. O nostra folle badly hurt;
mente ch’ogni aura di fortuna estolle! in this he rejoices and is proud. Oh, our foolish
mind, that praises every breath of fortune!
Misero, di che godi? O quanti mesti Wretched man, in what do you rejoice? How
fiano i trionfi ed infelice il vanto! sad will be your triumphs, how unhappy your
Gli occhi tuoi pagheran, s’in vita resti, boasting!
di quel sangue ogni stilla un mar di pianto. Your eyes will pay, if living you remain,
Così tacendo e rimandando questi for each drop of that blood with a sea of tears.
sanguinosi guerrier cessaro alquanto. Thus, waiting silently, these
Ruppe il silenzio alfin Tancredi e disse, bloody warriors stopped for a while.
perchè il suo nome l’un l’altro scoprisse: Breaking the silence, finally, Tancredi spoke,
so that each might discover the other’s name:
‘Nostra sventura è ben che qui s’impieghi ‘It is indeed our misfortune to be employing
tanto valor dove silenzio il copra. here such valour, when silence covers it.
Ma poi che sorte ria vien che ci nieghi But since an adverse fate denies us
e lode e testimon degni de l’opra, praise and witnesses worthy of our deed,
pregoti, se fra l’armi han loco i prieghi, I pray you – if in war there is a place for prayers
che ’l tuo nome e ’l tuo stato a me tu scopra, – to reveal to me your name and station,
acciò ch’io sappia, o vinto o vincitore, so that I may know, whether in defeat or
chi la mia morte o la mia vita honore.’ victory,
whom my death or my life honours.’
Rispose la feroce: ‘Indarno chiedi The fierce woman replied: ‘In vain you ask
quel ch’ho per uso di non far palese, that which I am not accustomed to reveal,
ma, chiunque io mi sia, tu innanzi vedi but, whoever I am, you see before you
un di quei duo che la gran torre accese.’ one of the two who burned the great tower.’
Arse di sdegno a quel parlar Tancredi Burning with rage at this speech, Tancredi
e ‘In mal punto il dicesti,’ [indi riprese,] replied: ‘It was poorly calculated to say that;
‘E ’l tuo dir e ’l tacer di par m’alletta, both your speech and your silence equally invite
barbaro discortese, alla vendetta.’ me, ignoble barbarian, to vengeance.’
Torna l’ira nei cori e li trasporta Anger returns to their hearts and carries them,
benché deboli in guerra a fiera pugna although weakened, to war. Oh fierce battle,
u’l’arte in bando, u’già la forza è morta, Where skill is abandoned and strength is
ove invece d’entrami il furor pugna! already dead,
Oh che sanguigna e spaziosa porta where instead of these things, [only] rage fights.
fa l’una e l’altra spada ovunque giugna Oh, what a bloody and spacious gateway
nell’armi e nelle carni! e se la vita makes each sword wherever it reaches into
non esce, sdegno tienla al petto unita. armour or flesh! And if life does not depart, it is
because anger holds it united to their breast.
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Ma ecco homai l’hora fatal è giunta But see, now the fatal hour has arrived
che ’l viver di Clorinda al suo fin deve. when the life of Clorinda to its end must come.
Spinge egli il ferro nel bel sen di punta He thrusts the end of his sword into her
che vi s’immerge e ’l sangue avido beve, beautiful breast, so that it immerses itself and
e la veste che, d’or vago trapunta, eagerly drinks the blood, and the garment, with
le mammelle stringea tenere e lieve, gold beautifully embroidered, that clasps her
l’empie d’un caldo fiume. Ella già sente tender, delicate breasts, fills with a hot stream.
morirsi e ’l piè le manca egro e languente. She already feels herself dying and her feet give
out, weak and collapsing.
Segue egli la vittoria, e la traffitta He follows up his victory, and the wounded
vergine minacciando incalza e preme. maiden is menacingly pursued and pressed.
Ella, mentre cadea, la voce afflitta She, as she falls, her afflicted voice
movendo, disse le parole estreme, moving, speaks her final words,
parole ch’a lei novo spirto ditta, words spoken to her by a new spirit,
spirto di fè, di carità, di speme, a spirit of faith, charity, and hope,
virtù che Dio l’infonde, e se rubella virtues that God instills in her, for though a
in vita fu, la vol in morte ancella. rebel in life was she, he wishes her in death his
servant.
‘Amico, hai vinto. Io ti perdon, perdona ‘Friend, you have won. I pardon you; pardon
tu ancora – al corpo no, che nulla pave – me as well – not my body, which fears nothing –
all’alma sì. Deh per lei prega e dona but my soul. Pray for it, and give
battesmo a me, ch’ogni mia colpa lave.’ baptism to me, which all my sins washes.’
In queste voci languide risuona In this dying voice there resounded
un non so che di flebile e soave something so mournful and soft
ch’al cor gli scende ed ogni sdegno ammorza that it rose to his heart and all anger died,
e gli occhi a lagrimar l’invoglia e sforza. and his eyes to tears were induced and forced.
Poco quindi lontan, ne sen del monte, Not far from there, in the hollow of the
scaturia mormorando un picciol rio. mountain, gushed, murmuring, a little stream.
Egli v’accorse e l’elmo empiè nel fonte, He ran to it and filled his helmet in the spring,
e tornò mesto al grande ufficio e pio. and returned sadly to his great and pious duty.
Tremar sentì la man mentre la fronte He felt his hand tremble as the face,
non conosciuta ancor sciolse e scoprio. as yet unknown, was unmasked and revealed.
La vide e la conobbe e restò senza He saw her and recognised her and was struck
e voce e moto. Ahi vista! ahi conoscenza! voiceless and motionless. What vision! What
revelation!
Non morì già che sue virtuti accolse He did not yet die, for gathering his strength
tutte in quel punto e in guardia al cor le together in one place, he set it to guard his
e premendo il suo affanno a dar si volse heart; and, putting aside his anguish, turned to
vita con l’acqua a chi col ferro uccise. give life with water to her whom with iron he
Mentre egli il suon de’ sacri detti sciolse, had killed.
colei di gioia trasmutossi e rise, While he unfurled the sound of the sacred
e in atto di morir lieta e vivace words, she, with joy transformed, smiled,
dir parea: ‘S’apre il ciel, io vado in pace.’ and, at the moment of death, happy and full of
life, seemed to say: ‘Heaven opens; I go in
peace.’
2 Due belli occhi fur l’armi, onde traffito Two bright eyes were the weapons: pierced by
giacque, e di sangue invece amaro pianto them I lay and shed not blood but bitter tears
sparse lunga stagion l’anima afflitta. for days on end, a poor afflicted soul.
Tu, per lo cui valor la palma, e ’l vanto You, by whose valour the palm of victory
hebbe di me la mia nemica invitta, over me went to my unconquered foe,
se desti morte al cor, dà vita al canto. if you give death to my heart, give life to my
song.
3 Vago augelletto che cantando vai, Beautiful little bird that goes singing
over piangendo, il tuo tempo passato, your time gone by, with weeping notes,
vedendoti la notte e ’l verno a lato seeing the night and the winter near,
e ’l dí dopo le spalle e i mesi gai, and the day and all the joyful months behind,
se, come i tuoi gravosi affanni sai, if, knowing your own heavy sorrows,
cosí sapessi il mio simile stato, you could know of my state like your own,
verresti in grembo a questo sconsolato you would fly to this disconsolate breast
a partir seco i dolorosi guai. to share your grievous sadness with me.
4 Ardo e scoprir, ahi lasso, io non ardisco I burn, alas, yet I dare not reveal,
e quel che porto nel sen, rinchiuso ardore, the burning pains concealed in my chest
e tanto più dolente ogni hor languisco and the more the pain that grows as the hours
quanto più sia celato il mio dolore. pass, the more the burning is concealed.
Fra me tal’hor mille disegni ordisco Inside I devise a thousand schemes,
con la lingua discior anco il timore. so that even my tongue may overcome the fear
E all’hor fatto ardito io non pavento and then, emboldened, I fear no more
gridar soccorso al micidial tormento. and ask for help to fight this deadly torment.
Ma s’avvien ch’io m’appresso a lei davante Yet if I should find her to assuage my illness
per trovar al mio mal pace e diletto, with peace and delight, my face will suddenly
divengo tosto pallido in sembiante, turn pale and I must lower my gaze.
e chinar gl’occhi a terra costretto. I wish to talk, but I dare not, and then,
Dir vorrei, ma non oso; indi tremante trembling I begin. I hold back my feelings.
comincio, e mi ritengo alfin l’affetto. Finally, messenger of my heart, my tongue
S’aprir, nuntia del cor la lingua vole, begins to move and the words die away on my
si troncan su le labbra le parole. lips.
5 Ninfa che scalza il piede e sciolto il crine, Nymph, with your bare foot and loose hair
te ne vai di doglia in bando you wander, free from care,
per queste piagge lieta through these plains, joyous,
cantando e ballando, singing and dancing;
non scuoti all’erbe le fresche brine. do not disturb the fresh dew on the grass.
6 Qui deh meco t’arresta, ove di fiori Here, stop with me, where flowers
s’inghirlanda il crin novello adorn the new locks of that beautiful meadow
questo ch’imperla fresco ruscello that a fresh river bedecks with its rushing
bel pratello co’ suoi correnti limpidi umori. translucent waters.
7 De l’usate mie corde al suon potrai To the sound of my familiar chords, you could
sotto l’ombra di quest’orno under the shade of that elm tree
a tempo il passo mover d’intorno, move your feet to the rhythm around you
né del giorno faran te bruna gli ardenti rai. so that the ardent rays
of daylight will not darken your skin.
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Ma senza pur mirarmi affretta il passo But without looking at me, you hasten your
dietro forse a Lillo amato. pace perhaps in pursuit of your beloved Lillo.
Ah! Che ti possa veder cangiato Oh! If I could only see
quel piè ingrato, that foot, so ungrateful to me,
pera fugace, in un duro sasso! changing into a hard rock!
VENERE VENUS
Non tacerà mia voce My voice will not be silenced,
dolci lusinghe e prieghi neither will my sweet flatteries and
finché l’alma feroce supplications, until the ferocious soul
del Re severo al tuo voler non pieghi. of the strict King gives in to your desire.
AMORE LOVE
Ferma, Madre, il bel piè, non por le piante Stop, Mother, the beautiful foot, do not
Nel tenebroso impero, trespass the dark empire,
Che l’aer tutto nero may the pitch black air not tarnish the loveliness
Non macchiass’il candor del bel sembiante: of your fair face:
Io sol n’andrò nella magion oscura, I will enter the obscure dwelling alone,
E pregand’il gran Re trarotti avante and I will beg the great King to come to you
VENERE VENUS
Va pur come t’agrada. Io qui t’aspetto, Then go as you please. I will wait here,
discreto pargoletto. discreet little child.
[Sinfonia] [Sinfonia]
Udite, Donne, udite! I saggi detti Listen, women, listen! Let the wise words
di celeste parlar nel cor serbate: of this celestial conversation be engraved in
chi, nemica d’amor, di crudi affetti your hearts:
armerà il cor nella fiorita etate, She, enemy of love, who with cruel feelings
will arm her heart in the age of blossom,
[Sinfonia] [Sinfonia]
Sentirà come poscia arda e saetti will feel how it later burns like an arrow
quando più non avrà grazia e beltate, when she no longer will have grace and beauty,
e in vano ricorrerà, tardi pentita, and in vain she will recur, too late and with
di lisce e d’acque alla fallace aita. regret, to the false help of balms and
ointments.
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PLUTONE PLUTO
Bella madre d’Amor, che col bel ciglio Beautiful mother of Love, with your beautiful
splender l’Inferno fai sereno e puro, brow, you make Hell shine serene and pure,
qual destin, qual consiglio what destiny, what advice
dal ciel t’ha scorto in quest’abisso oscuro? has taken you from heaven into this dark abyss?
VENERE VENUS
O de la morte innumerabil gente Oh frightful King
tremendo Re, dal luminoso cielo of the innumerable people of the dead,
traggemi a quest’orror materno zelo: maternal love brought me from the luminous
sappi che a mano a mano sky to this horrible place:
l’unico figlio mio di strali e d’arco know that little by little my only son, despised
arma, sprezzato arcier, gli omer e l’ali. archer, arms his shoulders and wing with
arrows and bow.
PLUTONE PLUTO
Chi spogliò di valor l’auree saette Who would take away the power of the golden
che tante volte a tante arrows that so many times reached the heart of
giunsero al cor de l’immortal Tonnante? the immortal God of Thunder?
VENERE VENUS
Donne, che di beltate e di valore Certain women, whose beauty and value
tolgono alle più degne il nome altero, surpass the noble name of the most
là, nel Germano Impero, honourable, there, in the German Empire,
di cotanto rigor sen van armate, Are so rigorously armed
che di quadrell’aurate that, at golden spears
e di sua face il foco and at the fire of his torches,
recansi a scherzo e gioco. they laugh and joke.
PLUTONE PLUTO
Mal si sprezza d’Amor la face e ’l telo. You cannot despise the torch and dart of Love.
Sallo la terra e ’l mar, l’inferno e ’l cielo. The Earth and sea, hell and heaven know this
well.
VENERE VENUS
Non de’ più fidi amanti Of the most faithful lovers
odon le voci e i pianti. they do not hear the voices and criticisms.
Amor, Costanza, Fede Love, Constancy, Faithfulness,
né pur ombra trovar può di mercede. have not lost hope of being rewarded.
Questa gli altrui martiri This one laughingly tells
narra ridendo. E quella of the agonies of others. And that one only
sol gode d’esser bella delights in her beauty when she draws
quando tragge d’un cor pianti e sospiri. from a heart full of cries and sighs.
Invan gentil guerriero In vain the gentle warrior moves in the field of
move in campo d’honor, leggiadro e fiero. honour, handsome and proud.
Indarno ingegno altero In vain the ingenious poet seeks to adorn with
freggia d’eterni carmi eternal chants the beauty that does not listen
beltà che no l’ascolta e non l’aprezza. nor appreciate them.
Oh barbara fierezza! Oh barbarous pride!
Oh cor di tigre e d’angue! Oh heart of tigers and serpents!
Mirar senza dolore See without pain a faithful lover shed tears and
fido amante versar lagrime e sangue! blood!
E per sua gloria, e per altrui vendetta And for his glory, and for the vengeance of
Ritrovi in sua faretra Amor saetta! others, Love has kept an arrow in his quiver!
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PLUTONE PLUTO
S’invan su l’arco tendi If in vain you draw your bow
i poderosi strali, with powerful spears,
Amor che speri, onde che soccorso attendi? Love, what is your hope, what help are you
waiting for?
PLUTONE PLUTO
Deh! Chi ricerchi, Amor! Oh! Love, who are you looking for?
Amor, non sai che dal carcer profondo Love, do you not know that from the deep
cale non è che ne rimeni al mondo? prison there is no path that leads to the world?
AMORE LOVE
So che dal basso Inferno I know that from lower Hell
per far ritorno al ciel serrato è il varco. the path back to Heaven is closed.
Ma chi contrasta col tuo poter eterno? But who could oppose your eternal power?
PLUTONE PLUTO
Saggio signor se di sua possa è parco. Wise is the man who limits his power.
VENERE VENUS
Dunque non ti rammenti Thus, do you not recall that I guided through
che Proserpina bella a coglier fiori the mountain of eternal desires
guidai sul monte degli eterni ardori? the beautiful Persephone gathering flowers?
Deh! Per quegli almi contenti, Oh! For those happy souls,
deh! Per quei dolci amori, oh, or those sweet love affairs,
fa nel mondo veder l’ombre dolenti! Let the world see those painful shadows!
PLUTONE PLUTO
Troppo, troppo possenti Far too powerful,
Bella madre d’Amore, beautiful mother of Love,
Giungon del tuo pregar gli strali al cuore! are your pleas whose spears reach my heart!
Udite! Udite! Udite! Listen! Listen! Listen!
O dell’infernal corte Those of the infernal court,
feri ministri, udite! inflexible ministers, listen!
PLUTONE PLUTO
Aprite, aprite, aprite, Open, open, open
le tenebrose porte the dark gates
de la prigion caliginosa e nera! of the black and gloomy prison!
E de l’Anime Ingrate And bring forth the condemned formation
trahete qui la condannata schiera! of ingrate souls!
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VENERE VENUS
Non senz’altro diletto Not without delight towards someone else
di magnanimi Regi will you set foot in this admirable residence
il piè porrai ne l’ammirabil tetto! of great-hearted princes!
Ivi, di fabri egregi There, with its incredible work
incredibil lavoro, of distinguished craftsmen,
O quanto ammirerai marmorei fregi! how much will you admire the marble friezes!
Qui incominciano apparire le Donne Ingrate, Here the Ingrate Ladies begin to appear,
et Amore e Venere così dicono: and Love and Venus say thus:
Plutone rivolto verso Amore e Venere così dice: Pluto turns to Love and Venus, and says thus:
PLUTONE PLUTO
Tornate al bel seren, celesti Numi! Go back to the serene sky, celestial gods!
Rivolto poi all’Ingrate, così segue: Then, addressing the Ingrates, he continues:
PLUTONE PLUTO
Movete meco, voi d’Amor ribelle! Come with me, you who rebelled against Love!
Con gesti lamentevoli, le Ingrate a due a due With gestures of mourning, the ingrates
incominciano a passi gravi a danzare la presente [ungrateful women] begin, in pairs, with grave
entrata, stando Plutone nel mezzo, camminando steps, to dance the present entrata. Standing in
a passi naturali e gravi. the middle, Pluto advances with natural and
grave steps.
Entrata Entrata
Giunte tutte al posto determinato, incominciano Once everyone is together, the dance begins as
il ballo come segue. follows.
[Sinfonia] [Sinfonia]
Danzano il ballo sino a mezzo; Plutone si pone in They perform half the dance; Pluto assumes a
nobil postura, rivolto verso la Principessa e noble pose,
Damme, turns towards the Princess and the Ladies and
così dice: says thus:
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PLUTONE PLUTO
Dal tenebroso orror del mio gran Regno From the sinister horror of my great Kingdom,
fugga, Donna, il timor dal molle seno! flee, Lady, the fear from your tender heart!
Arso di nova fiamma al ciel sereno Burning with a new flame the serene sky
Donna o Donzella per rapir non vegno. I do not come to abduct any lady or maiden.
E quando pur de vostri rai nel petto And when your rays reach my chest,
languisce immortalmente il cor ferito, she will languish with a wounded heart forever,
non fora disturbar Plutone ardito The brave Pluto does not dare to disturb
di cotanta Regina il lieto aspetto. the joyful beauty of the Queen.
Donna al cui nobil crin non bassi fregi Lady whose noble hair does not accept evil
Sol pon del Cielo ordir gli eterni lumi, ornaments and may only be crowned by the
Di cui l’alma virtù, gli aurei costumi eternal lights of Heaven,
Farsi speglio dovrian Monarchi e Regi. who has a virtuous soul and a costume of gold,
should be a mirror of monarchs and kings.
Scese pur dianzi Amor nel Regno oscuro. Having purposely descended to the dark
Preghi mi fè ch’io vi scorgessi avanti kingdom, Love begged me to show you
queste infelici, ch’in perpetui pianti how those unhappy women, in perpetual tears,
dolgonsi invan che non ben sagge furo. regret in vain that they were not wise.
Antro è la giù, di luce e d’aer privo, Below, there is a den, without light and air,
ove torbido fumo ogni hor s’aggira: where thick smoke continuously circles:
ivi del folle ardir tardi sospira in vain she regrets her past foolishness,
alma ch’ingrata hebbe ogni amante a schivo. the unfaithful soul who rejected every lover.
Indi le traggo e ve l’addito e mostro, Later, this is where I make them come out of
pallido il volto e lagrimoso il ciglio, the darkness and show you,
per che cangiando homai voglie e consiglio the pale face and tearful eyes,
non piangete ancor voi nel negro chiostro. for that you may change your wishes and advice
and keep you from crying too in that black
monastery.
Poi rivolto al Anime Ingrate, così dice: Then, turning to the Ingrate Souls, he says:
Ma qui star non più lice, Anime Ingrate. It is no longer allowed to stay here, Ingrate
Tornate al lagrimar nel Regno Inferno! Souls.
Go back and keep crying in the Kingdom of Hell!
Qui ripigliano le Anime Ingrate la seconda parte Here, the Ingrate Souls resume the second part
del Ballo al suono come prima, la qual finita of their dance to the same music played before,
Plutone così gli parla: and once they have finished Pluto says:
Tempra, d’arguto suon pieghevol voce, It modulates a flexible voice of ringing tone,
e la volve, e la spinge and turns and propels it
con rotti accenti, e con ritorti giri with irregular attacks and complex runs,
qui tarda, e là veloce; now slowly, now speedily,
e tall’hor mormorando and at times murmuring
in basso, e mobil suono, ed alternando with a low, changeable sound and alternating
fughe, e riposi, e placidi respiri, rapid and calm passages and quiet breaths,
hor la sospende, e libra, now suspended, now free
hor la preme, hor la rompe, hor la raffrena; now heavy, now cut short, now held back;
hor la saetta, e vibra, now darting, now in undulating runs,
hor in giro la mena, now led here and there,
quando con modi tremuli, e vaganti, sometimes tremulous and wandering,
quando fermi, e sonanti. sometimes firm and resonant.
Così cantando e ricantando, il core, Thus as the song is sung and sung again, the
o miracol d’amore, heart, O miracle of love,
è fatto un usignolo, is transformed into a nightingale
e spiega già per non star mesto il volo. and spurning sorrow, spreads its wings and flies.
6 O sia tranquillo il mare, o pien d’orgoglio Whether the sea be calm, or swelled with
mai da quest’onde io non rivolgo il piede pride
io qui t’aspetto e qui de la tua fede my feet shall never cease to return
tradito amante, mi lamento e doglio. and await you here – a lover betrayed;
Spesso salir su queste rupi io soglio in suffering I lament your faithlessness.
per veder se il mio legno ancor sen riede I often climb these rocks
quivi m’assido e piango, onde mi crede to look out for your ship returning;
il mar un fonte e ’l navigante un scoglio. here I sit and weep, so much that the sea
E spesso amor t’invio per messaggieri takes me for a fountain, and the sailor for a
a ridir la mia pena e ’l mio lamento rock.
dell’aria vaga i zeffiri leggeri, And often, love, I send you messages
ma tu non torni, o Fillii, e ’l mio lamento to tell you again of my grief and torment,
l’aura disperge e tal mercé ne speri that float on the light breeze,
chi fida a donna il cor preghi al vento. but you do not return, oh Fillii, and my lament
is dispersed by the wind, and this is the fate
that awaits he who confides his heart to a
woman, and his pleas to the wind.
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7 Chi vole aver felice e lieto il core, He who would like a happy and joyful heart,
non segua il crudo Amore, should not follow cruel Love,
quel lusinghier ch’ancide that flatterer who aims to kill
quando più scherza e ride; even as he jokes and laughs;
ma tema di beltà, di leggiadria but he should fear the deceptive appearance
l’aura fallace e ria. of beauty and loveliness.
Al pregar non risponda, alla promessa He should not respond to Love’s pleas, nor
non creda; e se s’appressa, believe in its promises; and if it appears,
fugga pur, che baleno è quel ch’alletta, he should flee, since that spark is what allures –
né mai baleno Amor, se non saetta. and Love’s spark never comes without an arrow
8 Ogni amante è guerrier; nel suo gran regno Every lover is a warrior; in his great kingdom,
ha ben Amor la sua milizia anch’egli. even Love commands his own army.
Quella fiorita età, che ’l duro pondo That age in bloom [youth], that can bear
può sostener dell’elmo e dello scudo the heavy burden of his helmet and shield
negli assalti d’amor fa prove eccelse. will prove its mettle in the assaults of love.
Né men sconcio è veder tremula mano It is no less vulgar to see an old hand quiver,
per troppo età, vibrar la spada o l’asta, trembling the sword and spear,
che sentir sospirar canuto amante. than to see a grey-haired lover sigh.
Ambo sormonteran de’ monti alpestri Both will scale high summits and rugged peaks;
le dure cime, ambo torrenti e fiumi both will cross torrents and rivers,
tra piogge, e nembi varcheran sicuri. through rain and mist they will sail with
Non del vasto ocean le onde spumanti, certainty.
non d’Euro, o d’Aquilon l’orribil fiato Neither the foaming waves of the vast ocean
frenar potrà gl’impetuosi cori nor the terrifying winds of Euros or Aquilon can
se di solcar il mar desio gli sprona. restrain their impetious hearts if they are
determined to cross the sea.
Chi se non quei che l’amorosa insegna Who but he who follows the banner of Love,
segue, o di Marte al ciel nottumo e fosco or of War, under the dark night sky,
può la pioggia soffrir, le nevi e ‘l vento? could bear the rain, the snow, the wind?
Taccia pur dunque omai, lingua mendace, Cease now, lying tongue
di più chiamare otio e lascivia Amore, and never again call Love lazy or wanton,
ch’amor affetto è sol di guerrier core. for Love dwells only in a warrior’s heart.
9 Io che nell’otio nacqui e d’otio vissi, I, who was born and lived in idleness,
che vago sol di riposata quiete who desired nothing but peaceful quietness,
trapassava non pur l’hore nottume, I spent not only my nights
ma i giorni interi ancor tra molli piume; but entire days in soft, feathery beds,
e tra grat’ ombre d’ogni cura scarco and in the pleasant shade, free from all cares,
il fresco mi godea d’un’ aura lieve, I enjoyed the freshness of a light breeze
col roco mormorar d’un picciol rivo, with the gentle murmurs of a little stream,
che fea tenor degl’augelletti al canto. which played tenor to the soprano of the birds’
song.
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Io stesso pur che generosa cura Yet even I, once the noble cares
di bellissimo Amor mi punse il core, of the beautiful Amor pierced my heart,
all’hor che ’l guardo volsi al divan lume, the moment I looked at the divine light
che sfavillar vidd’io da que’ begl’occhi, that sparkled in those fair eyes,
e ’l suono udì che da rubini e perle and I could hear the sound of the angelic voice,
mi giunse al cor d’angelica favella, which, from rubies and pearls, pierced my
sprezzando gli agi di tranquilla vita heart.
non pur chiuggo a i gran dì tra ’l sonno i lumi Despising the comforts of a quiet life,
ma ben sovente ancor, e stelle e sera, I never let my weariness close my eyes in
cangiar vigile amante in Sole, e in Alba. daylight again,
instead, as a wakeful lover, I see the stars and
night turn into the sun and dawn.
Spesso carco di ferro all’ombra oscura Often, armed with iron, in deepest night,
m’en vo sicuro ove ’l desio mi spinge, I march with confidence, wherever desire may
e tante soffro ogn’hor dure fatiche guide me, and I endure such hardships as a
amoroso guerrier, ch’assai men greve warrior of love, that it would be less of a burden
misura in un co ’l valoroso Hispano to battle at once with the valorous Spaniard
tentar pugnando l’ostinato Belga. and the obstinate Belgian.
O pur là dove inonda i larghi campi Or there on the wide flood plains
l’Istro real, cinto di ferro il busto of the royal Istrus, my breast girthed in iron
seguir tra l’armi il chiaro, e nobil sangue to follow the soldiers, the clear and noble blood
di quel Gran Re ch’or su la sacra testa of that great king whose sacred head now bears
posa il splendor del diadema Augusto the splendour of the Augustan headband of that
di quel Gran Re ch’alle corone, a lauri great king for whom crowns, laurels, trophies
alle spoglie, a’ trionfi il ciel destina. and triumphs are designated by Heaven.
O sempre gloriose, o sempre invitto, Oh, ever glorious and undefeated one:
segui felice, e fortunato apieno may you, joyous and fortunate, pursue
l’alte vittorie e gloriose imprese great victories and glorious ventures,
che forse un dì questa mia roca cetra and may one day my humble lyre
ritornerà non vil ne’ tuoi gran pregi. be worthy to sing of your great courage.
All’hor, ch’al suon dell’anni Then, to the sound of arms,
canterò le tue palme, e’ chiari allori. when hostile rage is repressed and tamed
Quando l’hostil furor depresso e domo by your invincible courage and your great
dal tuo invitto valor, dal tuo gran senno, wisdom;
udrà pien di spavento, e di terrore the Orient will hear
l’Oriente sonar belliche squille. overwhelmed by terror and fear
the blowing of martial horns.
E sovra gran destrier di ferro adorno And when they see you on your steed, sheathed
di stupor muti i faretrati Sciti, in iron the Scythian archers, struck dumb in
tra mille e mille Cavalieri e Duci astonishment among a thousand knights and
carco di spoglie, o Gran Fernando Ernesto captains, loaded with trophies, o great
t’inchineranno, alla tua invitta spade Ferdinando Ernesto will bow down before your
vinti, cedendo le corone e i regni. invincible sword,
defeated, and will offer you crowns and
kingdoms.
10 Ma per quel ampio Egeo spieghi le vele But, towards which wide Aegean sea do you
sì dal porto lontano, ardito amante? turn your sails so far away from the harbour,
Riedi che meco il mio cortese amico, betrayed lover?
veggio ch’a sì gran corso, a sì gran volo Return, for in my heart, my noble friend,
di pallido timor dipinge il viso. I see how such a long trip, such a great distance
have painted your face pale with fear.
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11 Riedi, ch’al nostro ardor, ch’al nostro canto Return, so that our ardour, our song,
ch’hora d’armi, e d’amor confuso suona that sings of Love and War enmeshed in one
scorger ben puote omai, ch’Amore, e Marte may clearly tell how Love and Mars
è quasi in cor gentil cortese affetto. are both courtly sentiments in a noble heart.
13 Su, su, su, pastorelli vezzosi,1 Come, come, come graceful shepherds,
correte, venite run, come
a mirar, a goder l’aure gradite, to regard and enjoy the pleasant breeze
ch’a noi porta ridente […] which to us smilingly brings […]
Mirate i prati Gaze upon the meadows
pien di fiori odorati full of scented flowers
ch’al suo vago apparir which, at its delightful appearance
ridon festosi. smile with joy.
Su, su, su, augelletti canori, Come, come, come, songful birds,
sciogliete, snodate release yourselves and let loose
al cantar, al garrir, le voci amate. to singing, to chirping your cherished voices.
Del sol che i monti indora Sing the praises
e sui rametti of the sun that adorns the mountains
pien di vaghi fioretti and on the little branches
del leggiandro suo crin full of beautiful flowers,
dite gli honori. of the beauty of [its] brow.
Su, su, su, fonticelli loquaci, Come, come, come, loquacious little brooks,
vezzosi correte run gracefully,
a gioir, a scherzar come solete […] to enjoy, to play as you like […]
Di quai splendor si veste With what splendour […] is dressed
e di quai lampi with what lights
coloriti son i campi are coloured the meadows
che promettono ai cor gioie veraci. which promise true joy to hearts.
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14 Volgendo il ciel per immortal sentiero As heaven sends the chariot of serene
le ruote della luce alma e serena, and blessed light along its immortal path,
un secolo di pace il sol rimena Apollo restores an age of peace
sotto il re novo del Romano Impero. under the new ruler of the Roman Empire.
Su, mi sí rechi omai del grand’Ibero Come, pour me now a generous cup,
profonda tazza inghirlandata e piena, brimful and garlanded, of Spanish wine
che, correndomi al cor di vena in vena which, running through my veins to my heart,
sgombra da l’alma ogni mortal pensiero. will chase all mortal cares from my soul.
Venga la nobil cetra: i crin di fiori Bring my noble lyre: crown me with a wreath
cingimi, o Filli. Io ferirò le stelle of flowers, o Phyllis. I shall pierce the stars
cantando del mio re gli eccelsi allori. as I sing the high praises of my king.
E voi che per beltà, donne e donzelle, And you ladies and maidens whose beauty
gite superbe d’immortali honori, means you walk in dignity, eternally honoured,
movete al mio bel suon le piante snelle. move your slender feet in time to my fine music
Sparso di rose il crin leggiadro e biondo, And let the naiads also join the dance,
e lasciato dell’Istro il ricco fondo, having woven roses into their flowing golden
vengan l’umide ninfe al ballo anch’elle. tresses and left behind the Danube’s watery
depths.
Movete al mio bel suon le piante snelle, Move, to the sound of my beautiful music, your
sparso di rose il crin leggiadro e biondo. slender feet,
E, lasciato dell’Istro il ricco fondo, your beautiful blonde hair decorated with roses.
vengan l’humide ninfe al Ballo anch’elle. And, having left the rich depths of the Istrus,
let the humid nymphs also come to the dance.
Fuggano in sì bel dì nembi e procelle. May the clouds and storms disperse on such a
D’aure odorate el mormorar giocondo beautiful day.
fatt’eco al mio cantar, rimbombi il mondo Let the scented air from the murmur of the
l’opre di Ferdinando eccelsi e belle. waters echo my song,
let the world resound the noble and astonishing
works of Ferdinand.
Ei l’armi cinse, e su destrier alato He took up arms, and on his winged horse
corse le piaggie, e su la terra dura he travels through the plains; and on the hard
la testa riposo sul braccio armato. land
he lays his head on his arm, clad in iron.
Le torri eccelse e le superbe mura The high towers and the superb walls
al vento sparse, e fe’ vermiglio il prato, he smashed into the wind, staining red the
lasciando ogni altra gloria al mondo oscura. fields,
obscuring all other glories of the world.
1
This madrigal, as published in Book Eight, is
missing some words that – when republished in
Book Nine – make the sense clearer. Their
absence is indicated here with brackets.
95661 MONTEVERDI Complete Madrigals
SUNG TEXTS
CD12 Libro IX
1 Bel pastor, dal cui bel guardo Handsome shepherd, from whose fine eyes
Spira foco ond’io tutt’ardo, Bursts forth flame in which I burn,
m’ami tu? – Sì cor mio Do you love me? – Yes my beloved
Com’io desio? – Si cor mio As I desire? – Yes my beloved
Dimmi quanto? – Tanto tanto. Tell me how much? – So much, so much.
Come che? How do you love me?
– Come te, pastorella tutta bella. – As yourself, my shepherd girl, so beautiful.
Vie più lieta udito avrei: Much more happily would I have heard
‘t’amo al par degli occhi miei.’ ‘I love you as much as I do my own eyes.’
Come rei del mio cordoglio Since they are the cause of my suffering,
questi lumi amar non voglio, I cannot love these eyes of mine,
di mirar non sazi ancora Which are still not satisfied with gazing
la beltà che sì m’accora. On that beauty which so wounds my heart.
Come che? How do you love me?
– Come te, pastorella tutta bella. – As yourself, my shepherd girl, so beautiful.
Non mi dir più ‘come te’; Say no more to me, ‘As yourself’.
dimmi ‘io t’amo… io t’amo… come me’. Say, ‘I love you (I love you) as much as I love
No, ch’io stesso odio me stesso. myself’.
Deh, se m’ami dimmi espresso. No, for I myself do hate myself.
Sì cor mio – Com’io desìo Come, if you love me, tell me clearly
Dimmi quanto – Tanto tanto. Yes, my beloved – As I desire?
Quanto quanto? – Oh, tanto tanto. Tell me how much. – So much, so much!
Come che? How much, how much? – Oh, so much, so
– Come te, pastorella tutta bella. much!
How do you love me?
– As yourself, my shepherd girl, so beautiful.
95661 MONTEVERDI Complete Madrigals
SUNG TEXTS
2 Zefiro torna e di soavi accenti Return, o Zephyr, and with gentle motion
L’aer fa grato e ’l piè discioglie a l’onde, Make pleasant the air and scatter the grasses in
E mormorando tra le verdi fronde waves
Fa danzar al ben suon su’l prato i fiori. And murmuring among the green branches
Make the flowers in the field dance to your
sweet sound;
Inghirlandato il crin Fillide e Clori Crown with a garland the heads of Phylla
Note temprando amor care e gioconde, and Chloris
E da monti e da valli ime e profonde With notes tempered by love and joy,
Raddoppian’ l’armonia gli antri canori. From mountains and valleys high and deep
And sonorous caves that echo in harmony.
Sorge più vaga in Ciel l’aurora e ’l sole The dawn rises eagerly into the heavens and the
Sparge più luci d’or, più puro argento sun
Fregia di Teti il bel ceruleo manto. Scatters rays of gold, and of the purest silver,
Like embroidery on the cerulean mantle of
Thetis.
Sol io per selve abbandonate e sole But I, in abandoned forests, am alone.
L’ardor di due begli occhi al mio tormento The ardour of two beautiful eyes is my
Come vuol mia ventura hor piango, hor torment;
canto. As my Fate wills it, now I weep, now I sing.
5 Ardo e scoprir, ahi lasso, io non ardisco I burn, and yet reveal, alas, I do not dare,
e quel che porto nel sen, rinchiuso ardore, the burning pains concealed in my chest
e tanto più dolente ogni hor languisco the pain that grows as the hours pass, and I
quanto più sia celato il mio dolore. suffer the more the burning is concealed, the
Fra me tal’hor mille disegni ordisco greater the pain.
con la lingua discior anco il timore. Inside I devise a thoudand objects,
E all’hor fatto ardito io non pavento so that even my tongue may take away the fear
gridar soccorso al micidial tormento. and then, aroused, I fear no more
Ma s’avvien ch’io m’appresso a lei davante and ask for help to fight this deadly torment.
per trovar al mio mal pace e diletto, Yet if I should find her
divengo tosto pallido in sembiante, to assuage my illness with peace and delight,
e chinar gl’occhi a terra costretto. my face will suddenly turn pale
Dir vorrei, ma non oso; indi tremante and I will be forces to lower my gaze.
comincio, e mi ritengo alfin l’affetto. I wish to talk, but I dare not, and then,
S’aprir, nuntia del cor la lingua vole, trembling
si troncan su le labbra le parole. I start and then hold back my feelings
Finally, messenger of my heart, my tongue
wishes to move
and the words are detaines on my lips.
95661 MONTEVERDI Complete Madrigals
SUNG TEXTS
6 O sia tranquill’il mare o pien d’orgoglio Let the sea be calm and full of pride
mai da quest’onde io non rivolgo il piede my feet never cease to return to that place
io qui t’aspetto e qui de la tua fede I await you here, and here of your fidelity,
tradito amante, mi lamento e doglio betrayed lover, I moan and I am in pain.
Spesso salir su queste rupi io soglio I often climb these rocks
per veder se il mio legno ancor sen riede to look out for your ship to return,
quivi m’assido e piango, onde mi crede here I sit and cry, so much that the sea
il mar un fonte e ’l navigante un scoglio takes me for a fountain and the sailor for a reef
E spesso amor t’invio per messaggieri And so often I will send you the messenges
a ridir la mia pena e ’l mio lamento to tell you about my grief and torment
dell’aria vaga i zeffiri leggeri, The light zephyrs, from the beautiful air,
ma tu non torni, o Filli, e ’l mio lamento you do not return, oh Phyllis, and my lament
l’aura disperge e tal mercé ne speri is dispersed by the wind, and this is the fate
chi fida a donna il cor preghi al vento that awaits
he who confides his heart to a woman, his pleas
to the wind
13 Ride il bosco, brilla il prato. The forest smiles, the meadow shines,
Scherza il fonte, festeggia ’l mar the fountain plays, the waves rejoice
Quando un fiato, quando un fiato at the first faint stirring
D’aura fresca s’ode spirar. of a cool, refreshing breeze.
14 Entri pur nel nostro petto, When you come, O balmy breeze,
O bell’aura nel tuo venir may our hearts, too, be filled
Quel diletto, quell diletto with that sweet delight that you
Che fa l’alme tanto gioir. in every soul distil.
No, no, ch’io non voglio No, no. if rocks lie ahead
Se scoglio m’aspetta I will not steer my ship
Dirzzar la barchetta! Straight for them!
Ahi fiera! – Ah, heartless woman! –
Quest’empia Megera You are a wicked Fury
Uccide, se’n ride, Who slays and laughs as she does so,
E ridendo saetta. Shoots arrows and laughs.
Chiama pur quanto vuoi Call as much as you like,
Ch’io non verrò. I won’t come running.
Empia Filli, Heartless Phyllis,
No, no, no, no. No, no, no, no!
Su, su, su, augelletti canori, Come, come, come, little songbirds,
Sciogliete, snodate Release, unfetter
Al cantar, al garrir, le voci amate. Your beloved voices in singing, in chirping.
Del sol che i monti indora See the sun that gilds the mountains
E sui rametti And dawn’s branches
Pien di vaghi fioretti Full of fair little flowers
Del leggiandro suo crin dite gli honori. See it’s lovely flowing locks and sing praises.
Su, su, su, augelletti canori. Come, come, come, little songbirds.
Su, su, su, fonticelli loquaci, Come, come, come, babbling little springs,
Vezzosi correte Course sweetly
A gioir, a scherzar come solete To rejoice in games of light like little suns
Di quai splendor si veste In such splendor it is clad
E di quai lampi And such brilliance
Coloriti son i campi Colorful are the fields
Che promettono ai cor gioie veraci. That promise to hearts true joys.
Su, su, su, fonticelli loquaci. Come, come, come, babbling little springs.’