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Quando giunse a Simon l' alto concetto.

HE DESIRES ONLY THAT MEMMI HAD BEEN ABLE TO IMPART SPEECH TO HIS PORTRAIT OF LAURA.


When, at my word, the high thought fired his mind,...

Io son s' stanco sotto 'l fascio antico.

HE CONFESSES HIS ERRORS, AND THROWS HIMSELF ON THE MERCY OF GOD.


Evil by custom, as by nature frail,
I am so wearied with the long disgrace,...

Io non fu' d' amar voi lassato unquanco.

UNLESS LAURA RELENT, HE IS RESOLVED TO ABANDON HER.


Yet was I never of your love aggrieved,
Nor never shall while that my life doth last:...

Se bianche non son prima ambe le tempie.

THOUGH NOT SECURE AGAINST THE WILES OF LOVE, HE FEELS STRENGTH ENOUGH TO RESIST THEM.


Till silver'd o'er by age my temples grow,...

Occhi, piangete; accompagnate il core.

DIALOGUE BETWEEN THE POET AND HIS EYES.


Playne ye, myne eyes, accompanye my harte,
For, by your fault, lo, here is death at hand!...

Io amai sempre, ed amo forte ancora.

HE LOVES, AND WILL ALWAYS LOVE, THE SPOT AND THE HOUR IN WHICH HE FIRST BECAME ENAMOURED OF LAURA.


I always loved, I love sincerely yet,...

Erano i capei d' oro all' aura sparsi.

HE PAINTS THE BEAUTIES OF LAURA, PROTESTING HIS UNALTERABLE LOVE.


Loose to the breeze her golden tresses flow'd
Wildly in thousand mazy ringlets blown,...

Io avr' sempre in odio la fenestra.

BETTER IS IT TO DIE HAPPY THAN TO LIVE IN PAIN.


Always in hate the window shall I bear,
Whence Love has shot on me his shafts at will,...

S' tosto come avvien che l' arco scocchi.

HE CALLS THE EYES OF LAURA FOES, BECAUSE THEY KEEP HIM IN LIFE ONLY TO TORMENT HIM.


Instantly a good archer draws his bow...

Poi che mia speme ' lunga a venir troppo.

HE COUNSELS LOVERS TO FLEE, RATHER THAN BE CONSUMED BY THE FLAMES OF LOVE.


Since my hope's fruit yet faileth to arrive,...

Fuggendo la prigione ov' Amor m' ebbe.

HE LONGS TO RETURN TO THE CAPTIVITY OF LOVE.


Fleeing the prison which had long detain'd,
Where Love dealt with me as to him seem'd well,...

La bella donna che cotanto amavi.

TO HIS BROTHER GERARDO, ON THE DEATH OF A LADY TO WHOM HE WAS ATTACHED.


The beauteous lady thou didst love so well...

Piangete, donne, e con voi pianga Amore.

ON THE DEATH OF CINO DA PISTOIA.


Weep, beauteous damsels, and let Cupid weep,
Of every region weep, ye lover train;...

Pi' volte Amor m' avea gi' detto: scrivi.

HE WRITES WHAT LOVE BIDS HIM.


White--to my heart Love oftentimes had said--
Write what thou seest in letters large of gold,...

Quando giugne per gli occhi al cor profondo.

HE DESCRIBES THE STATE OF TWO LOVERS, AND RETURNS IN THOUGHT TO HIS OWN SUFFERINGS.


When reaches through the eyes the conscious heart...

Cos' potess' io ben chiuder in versi.

HE COMPLAINS THAT TO HIM ALONE IS FAITH HURTFUL.


Could I, in melting verse, my thoughts but throw,
As in my heart their living load I bear,...

Quella fenestra, ove l' un sol si vede.

RECOLLECTIONS OF LOVE.


That window where my sun is often seen
Refulgent, and the world's at morning's hours;...

Io son dell' aspectar omai s' vinto.

HAVING ONCE SURRENDERED HIMSELF, HE IS COMPELLED EVER TO ENDURE THE PANGS OF LOVE.


Weary with expectation's endless round,...

Ahi bella libert', come tu m' hai.

HE DEPLORES HIS LOST LIBERTY AND THE UNHAPPINESS OF HIS PRESENT STATE.


Alas! fair Liberty, thus left by thee,
Well hast thou taught my discontented heart...

Orso, al vostro destrier si pu' ben porre.

HE SYMPATHISES WITH HIS FRIEND ORSO AT HIS INABILITY TO ATTEND A TOURNAMENT.


Orso, a curb upon thy gallant horse...