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A qualunque animale alberga in terra.

NIGHT BRINGS HIM NO REST. HE IS THE PREY OF DESPAIR.


To every animal that dwells on earth,
Except to those which have in hate the sun,...

Giovane donna sott' un verde lauro.

THOUGH DESPAIRING OF PITY, HE VOWS TO LOVE HER UNTO DEATH.


A youthful lady 'neath a laurel green
Was seated, fairer, colder than the snow...

L' aere gravato, e l' importuna nebbia.

HE COMPARES LAURA TO WINTER, AND FORESEES THAT SHE WILL ALWAYS BE THE SAME.


The overcharged air, the impending cloud,...

Chi ' fermato di menar sua vita.

HE PRAYS GOD TO GUIDE HIS FRAIL BARK TO A SAFE PORT.


Who is resolved to venture his vain life
On the deceitful wave and 'mid the rocks,...

Alia dolce ombra de le belle frondi.

HE TELLS THE STORY OF HIS LOVE, RESOLVING HENCEFORTH TO DEVOTE HIMSELF TO GOD.


Beneath the pleasant shade of beauteous leaves...

Anzi tre di creata era alma in parte.

THE HISTORY OF HIS LOVE; AND PRAYER FOR HELP.


Life's three first stages train'd my soul in part
To place its care on objects high and new,...

Non ha tanti animali il mar fra l' onde.

HE DESPAIRS OF ESCAPE FROM THE TORMENTS BY WHICH HE IS SURROUNDED.


Nor Ocean holds such swarms amid his waves,
Not overhead, where circles the pale moon,...

L' ver l' aurora, che s' dolce l' aura.

SHE IS MOVED NEITHER BY HIS VERSES NOR HIS TEARS.


When music warbles from each thorn,
And Zephyr's dewy wings...

Poi che 'l cammin m' ' chiuso di mercede.

THOUGH FAR FROM LAURA, SOLITARY AND UNHAPPY, ENVY STILL PURSUES HIM.


Since mercy's door is closed, alas! to me,
And hopeless paths my poor life separate...

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...