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Quel rosignuol che s' soave piagne.

THE SONG OF THE NIGHTINGALE REMINDS HIM OF HIS UNHAPPY LOT.


Yon nightingale, whose bursts of thrilling tone,
Pour'd in soft sorrow from her tuneful throat,...

N' per sereno cielo ir vaghe stelle.

NOTHING THAT NATURE OFFERS CAN AFFORD HIM CONSOLATION.


Not skies serene, with glittering stars inlaid,
Nor gallant ships o'er tranquil ocean dancing,...

Tranquillo porto avea mostrato Amore.

DEATH HAS ROBBED HIM IN ONE MOMENT OF THE FRUIT OF HIS LIFE.


From life's long storm of trouble and of tears
Love show'd a tranquil haven and fair end...

Passato ' 'l tempo omai, lasso! che tanto.

HIS ONLY DESIRE IS AGAIN TO BE WITH HER.


Fled--fled, alas! for ever--is the day,
Which to my flame some soothing whilom brought;...

Mente mia che presaga de' tuoi danni.

HE RECALLS WITH GRIEF THEIR LAST MEETING.


My mind! prophetic of my coming fate,
Pensive and gloomy while yet joy was lent,...

Tutta la mia fiorita e verde etade.

JUST WHEN HE MIGHT FAIRLY HOPE SOME RETURN OF AFFECTION, ENVIOUS DEATH CARRIES HER OFF.


All my green years and golden prime of man...

Tempo era omai da trovar pace o tregua.

HE CONSOLES HIMSELF WITH THE BELIEF THAT SHE NOW AT LAST SYMPATHISES WITH HIM.


'Twas time at last from so long war to find...

Discolorato hai, Morte, il pi' bel volto.

HER PRESENCE IN VISIONS IS HIS ONLY CONSOLATION.


Death, thou of fairest face hast 'reft the hue,
And quench'd in deep thick night the brightest eyes,...

S' breve ' 'l tempo e 'l pensier s' veloce.

THE REMEMBRANCE OF HER CHASES SADNESS FROM HIS HEART.


So brief the time, so fugitive the thought
Which Laura yields to me, though dead, again,...

N' mai pietosa madre al caro figlio.

HER COUNSEL ALONE AFFORDS HIM RELIEF.


Ne'er did fond mother to her darling son,
Or zealous spouse to her belov'd mate,...

Se quell' aura soave de' sospiri.

SHE RETURNS IN PITY TO COMFORT HIM WITH HER ADVICE.


If that soft breath of sighs, which, from above,
I hear of her so long my lady here,...

I' ho pien di sospir quest' aer tutto.

VAUCLUSE HAS BECOME TO HIM A SCENE OF PAIN.


To every sound, save sighs, this air is mute,
When from rude rocks, I view the smiling land...

L' alma mia fiamma oltra le belle bella.

HE ACKNOWLEDGES THE WISDOM OF HER PAST COLDNESS TO HIM.


My noble flame--more fair than fairest are
Whom kind Heaven here has e'er in favour shown--...

Come va 'l mondo! or mi diletta e piace.

HE BLESSES LAURA FOR HER VIRTUE.


How goes the world! now please me and delight
What most displeased me: now I see and feel...

Quand' io veggio dal ciel scender l' Aurora.

MORN RENDERS HIS GRIEF MORE POIGNANT.


When from the heavens I see Aurora beam,
With rosy-tinctured cheek and golden hair,...

Gli occhi di ch' io parlai s' caldamente.

HIS LYRE IS NOW ATTUNED ONLY TO WOE.


The eyes, the face, the limbs of heavenly mould,
So long the theme of my impassion'd lay,...

Due gran nemiche insieme erano aggiunte.

THE UNION OF BEAUTY AND VIRTUE IS DISSOLVED BY HER DEATH.


Two mortal foes in one fair breast combined,
Beauty and Virtue, in such peace allied...

S' io avessi pensato che s' care.

HIS POEMS WERE WRITTEN ONLY TO SOOTHE HIS OWN GRIEF: OTHERWISE HE WOULD HAVE LABOURED TO MAKE THEM MORE DESERVING OF THE FAME THEY HAVE ACQUIRED.

...

Soleasi nel mio cor star bella e viva.

SINCE HER DEATH, NOTHING IS LEFT TO HIM BUT GRIEF.


She stood within my heart, warm, young, alone,
As in a humble home a lady bright;...

Soleano i miei pensier soavemente.

HE COMFORTS HIMSELF WITH THE HOPE THAT SHE HEARS HIM.


My thoughts in fair alliance and array
Hold converse on the theme which most endears:...