Works

Amor, io fallo e veggio il mio fallire.

HE PRAYS LOVE, WHO IS THE CAUSE OF HIS OFFENCES, TO OBTAIN PARDON FOR HIM.


O Love, I err, and I mine error own,...

Real natura, angelico intelletto.

ON THE KISS OF HONOUR GIVEN BY CHARLES OF LUXEMBURG TO LAURA AT A BANQUET.


A kingly nature, an angelic mind,
A spotless soul, prompt aspect and keen eye,...

I' ho pregato Amor, e nel riprego.

HE PLEADS THE EXCESS OF HIS PASSION IN PALLIATION OF HIS FAULT.


Oft have I pray'd to Love, and still I pray,
My charming agony, my bitter joy!...

L' alto signor, dinanzi a cui non vale.

HIS SORROW FOR THE ILLNESS OF LAURA INCREASES, NOT LESSENS, HIS FLAME.


The sovereign Lord, 'gainst whom of no avail...

Mira quel colle, o stanco mio cor vago.

HE BIDS HIS HEART RETURN TO LAURA, NOT PERCEIVING THAT IT HAD NEVER LEFT HER.


P. Look on that hill, my fond but harass'd heart!...

Parr' forse ad alcun, che 'n lodar quella.

HE INVITES THOSE TO WHOM HIS PRAISES SEEM EXCESSIVE TO BEHOLD THE OBJECT OF THEM.


Haply my style to some may seem too free...

Fresco ambroso fiorito e verde colle.

HE CONGRATULATES HIS HEART ON ITS REMAINING WITH HER.


O hill with green o'erspread, with groves o'erhung!
Where musing now, now trilling her sweet lay,...

Il mal mi preme, e mi spaventa il peggio.

TO A FRIEND, IN LOVE LIKE HIMSELF, HE CAN GIVE NO ADVICE BUT TO RAISE HIS SOUL TO GOD.


Evil oppresses me and worse dismay,...

Due rose fresche, e colte in paradiso.

THE TWO ROSES.


Two brilliant roses, fresh from Paradise,
Which there, on May-day morn, in beauty sprung
Fair gift, and by a lover old and wise...

L' aura che 'l verde Lauro e l' aureo crine.

HE PRAYS THAT HE MAY DIE BEFORE LAURA.


The balmy gale, that, with its tender sigh,
Moves the green laurel and the golden hair,...

Chi vuol veder quantunque pu' Natura.

WHOEVER BEHOLDS HER MUST ADMIT THAT HIS PRAISES CANNOT REACH HER PERFECTION.


Who wishes to behold the utmost might...

Qual paura ho, quando mi torna a mente.

MELANCHOLY RECOLLECTIONS AND PRESAGES.


O Laura! when my tortured mind
The sad remembrance bears
Of that ill-omen'd day,...

Solea lontana in sonno consolarme.

SHE ANNOUNCES TO HIM, IN A VISION, THAT HE WILL NEVER SEE HER MORE.


To soothe me distant far, in days gone by,...

O misera ed orribil visione.

HE CANNOT BELIEVE IN HER DEATH, BUT IF TRUE, HE PRAYS GOD TO TAKE HIM ALSO FROM LIFE.


O misery! horror! can it, then, be true,...

In dubbio di mio stato, or piango, or canto.

TO HIS LONGING TO SEE HER AGAIN IS NOW ADDED THE FEAR OF SEEING HER NO MORE.


Uncertain of my state, I weep and sing,...

In quel bel viso, ch' i' sospiro e bramo.

ON LAURA PUTTING HER HAND BEFORE HER EYES WHILE HE WAS GAZING ON HER.


On the fair face for which I long and sigh...

O dolci sguardi, o parolette accorte.

HE SIGHS FOR THOSE GLANCES FROM WHICH, TO HIS GRIEF, FORTUNE EVER DELIGHTS TO WITHDRAW HIM.


O angel looks! O accents of the skies!...

I' pur ascolto, e non odo novella.

HEARING NO TIDINGS OF HER, HE BEGINS TO DESPAIR.


Still do I wait to hear, in vain still wait,
Of that sweet enemy I love so well:...

La sera desiar, odiar l' aurora.

CONTRARY TO THE WONT OF LOVERS, HE PREFERS MORN TO EVE.


Tranquil and happy loves in this agree,
The evening to desire and morning hate:...

Far potess' io vendetta di colei.

HIS SOUL VISITS HER IN SLEEP.


Oh! that from her some vengeance I could wrest
With words and glances who my peace destroys,...