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Voglia mi sprona; Amor mi guida e scorge.

HE DESCRIBES HIS STATE, SPECIFYING THE DATE OF HIS ATTACHMENT.


Passion impels me, Love escorts and leads,
Pleasure attracts me, habits old enchain,...

Beato in sogno, e di languir contento.

THOUGH SO LONG LOVE'S FAITHFUL SERVANT, HIS ONLY REWARD HAS BEEN TEARS.


Happy in visions, and content to pine,
Shadows to clasp, to chase the summer gale,...

Grazie ch' a pochi 'l ciel largo destina.

THE ENCHANTMENTS THAT ENTHRALL HIM


Graces, that liberal Heaven on few bestows;
Rare excellence, scarce known to human kind;...

Tutto 'l di piango; e poi la notte, quando.

HER CRUELTY RENDERS LIFE WORSE THAN DEATH TO HIM.


Through the long lingering day, estranged from rest,
My sorrows flow unceasing; doubly flow,...

Gi' desiai con s' giusta querela.

HE LIVES DESTITUTE OF ALL HOPE SAVE THAT OF RENDERING HER IMMORTAL.


Erewhile I labour'd with complaint so true,
And in such fervid rhymes to make me heard,...

Tra quantunque leggiadre donne e belle.

ALL NATURE WOULD BE IN DARKNESS WERE SHE, ITS SUN, TO PERISH.


Where'er she moves, whatever dames among,
Beauteous or graceful, matchless she below....

Il cantar novo e 'l pianger degli augelli.

MORNING.


The birds' sweet wail, their renovated song,
At break of morn, make all the vales resound;
With lapse of crystal waters pouring round,...

Onde tolse Amor l' oro e di qual vena.

THE CHARMS OF HER COUNTENANCE AND VOICE.


Whence could Love take the gold, and from what vein,
To form those bright twin locks? What thorn could grow...

Dodici donne onestamente lasse.

HAPPY WHO STEERED THE BOAT, OR DROVE THE CAR, WHEREIN SHE SAT AND SANG.


Twelve ladies, their rare toil who lightly bore,...

Qual mio destin, qual forza o qual inganno.

THOUGH HER EYES DESTROY HIM, HE CANNOT TEAR HIMSELF AWAY.


What destiny of mine, what fraud or force,
Unarm'd again conducts me to the field,...

Liete e pensose, accompagnate e sole.

NOT FINDING HER WITH HER FRIENDS, HE ASKS THEM WHY SHE IS ABSENT.


P. Pensive and glad, accompanied, alone,
Ladies who cheat the time with converse gay,...

Quando 'l sol bagna in mur l' aurato carro.

HIS NIGHTS ARE, LIKE HIS DAYS, PASSED IN TORMENT.


When in the sea sinks the sun's golden light,
And on my mind and nature darkness lies,...

Fiamma dal ciel su le tue treccie piova.

HE INVEIGHS AGAINST THE COURT OF ROME.


Vengeaunce must fall on thee, thow filthie whore
Of Babilon, thow breaker of Christ's fold,...

L' avara Babilonia ha colmo 'l sacco.

HE PREDICTS TO ROME THE ARRIVAL OF SOME GREAT PERSONAGE WHO WILL BRING HER BACK TO HER OLD VIRTUE.


Covetous Babylon of wrath divine...

Fontana di dolore, albergo d' ira.

HE ATTRIBUTES THE WICKEDNESS OF THE COURT OF ROME TO ITS GREAT WEALTH.


Spring of all woe, O den of curssed ire,
Scoole of errour, temple of heresye;...

Quanto pi' desiose l' ali spando.

FAR FROM HIS FRIENDS, HE FLIES TO THEM IN THOUGHT.


The more my own fond wishes would impel
My steps to you, sweet company of friends!...

Come talora al caldo tempo suole.

HE LIKENS HIMSELF TO THE INSECT WHICH, FLYING INTO ONE'S EYES, MEETS ITS DEATH.


As when at times in summer's scorching heats....

Passer mai solitario in alcun tetto.

FAR FROM HIS BELOVED, LIFE IS MISERABLE BY NIGHT AS BY DAY.


Never was bird, spoil'd of its young, more sad,
Or wild beast in his lair more lone than me,...

Aura, che quelle chiome bionde e crespe.

HE ENVIES THE BREEZE WHICH SPORTS WITH HER, THE STREAM THAT FLOWS TOWARDS HER.


Ye laughing gales, that sporting with my fair,...

Amor con la man destra il lato manco.

UNDER THE FIGURE OF A LAUREL, HE RELATES THE GROWTH OF HIS LOVE.


My poor heart op'ning with his puissant hand,
Love planted there, as in its home, to dwell...