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Poi che voi ed io pi' volte abbiam provato.

TO A FRIEND, COUNSELLING HIM TO ABANDON EARTHLY PLEASURES.


Still has it been our bitter lot to prove
How hope, or e'er it reach fruition, flies!...

Lasso! ben so che dolorose prede.

THOUGH FOR FOURTEEN YEARS HE HAS STRUGGLED UNSUCCESSFULLY, HE STILL HOPES TO CONQUER HIS PASSION.


Alas! well know I what sad havoc makes...

Cesare, poi che 'l traditor d' Egitto.

THE COUNTENANCE DOES NOT ALWAYS TRULY INDICATE THE HEART.


When Egypt's traitor Pompey's honour'd head
To C'sar sent; then, records so relate,...

Vinse Annibal, e non seppe usar poi.

TO STEFANO COLONNA, COUNSELLING HIM TO FOLLOW UP HIS VICTORY OVER THE ORSINI.


Hannibal conquer'd oft, but never knew
The fruits and gain of victory to get,...

L' aspettata virt' che 'n voi fioriva.

TO PAUDOLFO MALATESTA, LORD OF RIMINI.


Sweet virtue's blossom had its promise shed
Within thy breast (when Love became thy foe);...

Non veggio ove scampar mi possa omai.

AFTER FIFTEEN YEARS HER EYES ARE MORE POWERFUL THAN AT FIRST.


No hope of respite, of escape no way,
Her bright eyes wage such constant havoc here;...

Sennuccio, i' vo' che sappi in qual maniera.

HE RELATES TO HIS FRIEND SENNUCCIO HIS UNHAPPINESS, AND THE VARIED MOOD OF LAURA.


To thee, Sennuccio, fain would I declare,...

Avventuroso pi' d' altro terreno.

HE APOSTROPHIZES THE SPOT WHERE LAURA FIRST SALUTED HIM.


Ah, happiest spot of earth! in this sweet place
Love first beheld my condescending fair...

Lasso! quante fiate Amor m' assale.

WHEN LOVE DISTURBS HIM, HE CALMS HIMSELF BY THINKING OF THE EYES AND WORDS OF LAURA.


Alas! how ceaselessly is urged Love's claim,...

Perseguendomi Amor al luogo usato.

HE IS BEWILDERED AT THE UNEXPECTED ARRIVAL OF LAURA.


As Love his arts in haunts familiar tried,
Watchful as one expecting war is found,...

La donna che 'l mio cor nel viso porta.

HER KIND AND GENTLE SALUTATION THRILLS HIS HEART WITH PLEASURE.


She, in her face who doth my gone heart wear,...

Quand' io movo i sospiri a chiamar voi.

HE PLAYS UPON THE NAME LAURETA OR LAURA.


In sighs when I outbreathe your cherish'd name,
That name which love has writ upon my heart,...

S' traviato ' 'l folle mio desio.

OF HIS FOOLISH PASSION FOR LAURA.


So wayward now my will, and so unwise,
To follow her who turns from me in flight,...

La gola e 'l sonno e l' oziose piume.

TO A FRIEND, ENCOURAGING HIM TO PURSUE POETRY.


Torn is each virtue from its earthly throne
By sloth, intemperance, and voluptuous ease;...

A pi' de' colli ove la bella vesta.

HE FEIGNS AN ADDRESS FROM SOME BIRDS WHICH HE HAD PRESENTED.


Beneath the verdant hills--where the fair vest
Of earthly mould first took the Lady dear,...

Gloriosa Colonna, in cui s' appoggia.

TO STEFANO COLONNA THE ELDER, INVITING HIM TO THE COUNTRY.


Glorious Colonna! still the strength and stay
Of our best hopes, and the great Latin name...

Qui dove mezzo son, Sennuccio mio.

THE MERE SIGHT OF VAUCLUSE MAKES HIM FORGET ALL THE PERILS OF HIS JOURNEY.


Friend, on this spot, I life but half endure...

Dell' empia Babilonia, ond' ' fuggita.

LEAVING ROME, HE DESIRES ONLY PEACE WITH LAURA AND PROSPERITY TO COLONNA.


Yes, out of impious Babylon I'm flown,...

In mezzo di duo amanti onesta altera.

LAURA TURNING TO SALUTE HIM, THE SUN, THROUGH JEALOUSY, WITHDREW BEHIND A CLOUD.


'Tween two fond lovers I a lady spied,...

Pien di quella ineffabile dolcezza.

WHEREVER HE IS, HE SEES ONLY LAURA.


O'erflowing with the sweets ineffable,
Which from that lovely face my fond eyes drew,...