Works

Volgendo gli occhi al mio novo colore.

HER KIND SALUTE SAVED HIM FROM DEATH.


Late as those eyes on my sunk cheek inclined,
Whose paleness to the world seems of the grave,...

Di tempo in tempo mi si fa men dura.

THOUGH SHE BE LESS SEVERE, HE IS STILL NOT CONTENTED AND TRANQUIL AT HEART.


From time to time more clemency for me...

Nella stagion che 'l ciel rapido inchina.

NIGHT BRINGS REPOSE TO OTHERS, BUT NOT TO HIM.


In that still season, when the rapid sun
Drives down the west, and daylight flies to greet...

Spirto gentil che quelle membra reggi.

TO RIENZI, BESEECHING HIM TO RESTORE TO ROME HER ANCIENT LIBERTY.


Spirit heroic! who with fire divine
Kindlest those limbs, awhile which pilgrim hold...

Lasso me, ch i' non so in qual parte pieghi.

HE WOULD CONSOLE HIMSELF WITH SONG, BUT IS CONSTRAINED TO WEEP.


Me wretched! for I know not whither tend...

Perch' la vita ' breve.

IN PRAISE OF LAURA'S EYES: THE DIFFICULTY OF HIS THEME.


Since human life is frail,
And genius trembles at the lofty theme,
I little confidence in either place;...

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...

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,...

Solea dalla fontana di mia vita.

MEMORY IS HIS ONLY SOLACE AND SUPPORT.


I who was wont from life's best fountain far
So long to wander, searching land and sea,...

Quando il suave mio fido conforto.

SHE APPEARS TO HIM, AND, WITH MORE THAN WONTED AFFECTION, ENDEAVOURS TO CONSOLE HIM.


When she, the faithful soother of my pain,...

Quell' antiquo mio dolce empio signore.

LOVE, SUMMONED BY THE POET TO THE TRIBUNAL OF REASON, PASSES A SPLENDID EULOGIUM ON LAURA.


Long had I suffer'd, till--to combat more...

Vergine bella che di sol vestita.

TO THE VIRGIN MARY.


Beautiful Virgin! clothed with the sun,
Crown'd with the stars, who so the Eternal Sun
Well pleasedst that in thine his light he hid;...

Che fai? che pensi? che pur dietro guardi.

HE ENCOURAGES HIS SOUL TO LIFT ITSELF TO GOD, AND TO ABANDON THE VANITIES OF EARTH.


What dost thou? think'st thou? wherefore bend thine eye...

Datemi pace, o duri miei pensieri.

HE COMPARES HIMSELF TO A BESIEGED CITY, AND ACCUSES HIS OWN HEART OF TREASON.


O tyrant thoughts, vouchsafe me some repose!...