Petrarch

by Mark Musa

  De’ passati miei danni piango et rido

  perché molto mi fido in quel ch’ i’ odo;

  I too have joined the dance on some occasions.

  That little left to me

  will please the one I choose to give it to.

  I place my faith in Him who rules the world

  and shelters in the woods all those who follow,

  that with his staff of mercy

  he lead me step by step now to his flock.

  Perhaps all those who read don’t understand;

  who sets the net not always gets the catch,

  and he who is too subtle breaks his head.

  Let not the law be lame when others wait.

  To feel good one descends for many miles.

  Something seems wonderful, then is despised;

  a hidden beauty is the sweetest thing.

  And blessèd be the key that in my heart

  was turned, and freed my soul and shook it from

  the chains that were so heavy

  and let loose from my breast those endless sighs.

  There where I grieved the most another grieves,

  and grieving makes my grief still sweeter now;

  and so with thanks to Love

  I feel no more, yet it’s no less than ever.

  In silence, like those words skillful and wise,

  is sound that takes all other cares from me,

  and the dark prison with its lovely light;

  nocturnal violets all along the shore,

  and the wild animals inside the walls,

  the sweet timidity and lovely habits,

  and from two fountains one stream turned to peace

  to where I want it gathered where it is;

  and love and jealousy all took my heart,

  the stars of that fair face,

  all lead me on along a smoother way

  toward my hope, the end of all my troubles.

  O hidden good of mine, and that which follows,

  now peace, now war, now truce,

  don’t ever leave me while I wear these clothes.

  I weep for my past sins and also smile

  because of all my faith in what I hear;

  del presente mi godo et meglio aspetto,

  et vo contando gli anni, et taccio et grido.

  E ’n bel ramo m’annido et in tal modo

  ch’ i’ ne ringrazio et lodo il gran disdetto

  che l’indurato affetto al fine à vinto,

  et ne l’aima depinto: “i’ sare’ udito

  e mostratone a dito,” et ànne estinto

  (tanto innanzi son pinto

  ch’ i’ ’l pur dirò): “Non fostu tant’ ardito,”

  chi m’à ’l fianco ferito et chi ’l risalda,

  per cui nel cor via più che ’n carta scrivo,

  chi mi fa morto et vivo,

  chi ’n un punto m’agghiaccia et mi riscalda.

  106

  Nova angeletta sovra l’aie accorta

  scese dal cielo in su la fresca riva

  là ’nd’ io passava sol per mio destino.

  Poi che senza compagna et senza scorta

  mi vide, un laccio che di seta ordiva

  tese fra l’erba ond’ è verde il camino.

  Allor fui preso, et non mi spiacque poi,

  sì dolce lume uscia degli occhi suoi.

  the present I enjoy and wait for better;

  I count the years, I’m silent and cry out.

  I nest on a good branch in such a way

  I’m thankful and I praise the great refusal

  that vanquished finally the base affect

  and on my soul engraved: “I would be heard of

  and pointed out for it,” and erased from it

  (I’m pushed so far ahead

  that I can say it): “You weren’t bold enough”—

  she who has wounded me and heals my side,

  for whom I write in heart more than on paper,

  who makes me die and live,

  who at the same time makes me freeze and burn.

  106

  A marvelous little angel with quick wings

  descended from the heavens to the fresh shore

  where fate would have it I walked all alone.

  When she saw me with no friend and no guide,

  a trap that she had woven out of silk

  she set within the grass that greened my path.

  Then I was caught, and I was not unhappy—

  the sweetest light came spreading from her eyes.

  107

  Non veggio ove scampar mi possa omai;

  sì lunga guerra i begli occhi mi fanno

  ch’ i’ temo, lasso, no ’l soverchio affanno

  distrugga ’l cor che triegua non à mai.

  Fuggir vorrei, ma gli amorosi rai

  che di et notte ne la mente stanno

  risplendon sì ch’ al quintodecimo anno

  m’abbaglian più che ’l primo giorno assai,

  et l’imagine lor son si cosparte

  che volver non mi posso ov’ io non veggia

  o quella o simil indi accesa luce.

  Solo d’un lauro tal selva verdeggia

  che ’l mio avversario con mirabil arte

  vago fra i rami ovunque vuol m’adduce.

  108

  Aventuroso più d’altro terreno,

  ov’ Amor vidi già fermar le piante

  ver me volgendo quelle luci sante

  che fanno intorno a sé l’aere sereno:

  prima poria per tempo venir meno

  un’imagine salda di diamante

  che l’atto dolce non mi stia davante

  del quai ò la memoria e ’l cor sì pieno;

  né tante volte ti vedrò giamai

  ch’ i’ non m’inchini a ricercar de l’orme

  che ’l bel pie’ fece in quel cortese giro.

  Ma se ’n cor valoroso Amor non dorme,

  prega Sennuccio mio, quando ’l vedrai,

  di qualche lagrimetta o d’un sospiro.

  107

  No longer do I see a way to flee:

  those lovely eyes have fought me for so long

  that I fear, oh my God, excessive torture

  will break my heart that never has known peace.

  I’d run away, but all those loving rays

  that night and day stay fixed inside my mind

  shine with such light that in my fifteenth year

  I’m dazzled more than the first day they struck,

  and images of them are so widespread

  that I can turn nowhere without beholding

  that very light or like light lit from it.

  From just one laurel tree such forests flourish,

  so that my foe with his amazing skill

  can lead me through the branches where he pleases.

  108

  More fortunate than any other ground,

  the place I once saw Love stop in her steps

  and turn toward me those holy lights of hers

  that turn the air around her to clear peace:

  a statue that was cut from solid diamond

  would wear away with time before the sight

  of her sweet bearing disappeared from me—

  so much it fills my heart and memory;

  though I shall see you many times again,

  not once will I not bend to seek the print

  her lovely foot made turning graciously.

  If in a noble heart Love never sleeps,

  then beg of my Sennuccio when you see him

  for a little tear or two, or for a sigh.

  109

  Lasso, quante fiate Amor m’assale

  che fra la notte e ’l dì son più di mille

  torno dov’ arder vidi le faville

  che ’l foco del mio cor fanno immortale.

  Ivi m’acqueto, et son condotto a tale

  ch’ a nona, a vespro, a l’alba et a le squille

  le trovo nel
pensier tanto tranquille

  che di null’altro mi rimembra o cale.

  Laura soave che dal chiaro viso

  move col suon de le parole accorte

  per far dolce sereno ovunque spira,

  quasi un spirto gentil di paradiso

  sempre in quell’aere par che mi conforte,

  si che ’l cor lasso altrove non respira.

  110

  Persequendomi Amor al luogo usato,

  ristretto in guisa d’uom ch’ aspetta guerra,

  che si provede e i passi intorno serra,

  de’ miei antichi pensier mi stava armato;

  volsimi et vidi un’ombra che da lato

  stampava il sole, et riconobbi in terra

  quella che, se ’l giudicio mio non erra,

  era più degna d’immortale stato.

  I’ dicea fra mio cor: “Perché paventi?”

  ma non fu prima dentro il penser giunto

  che i raggi ov’ io mi struggo eran presenti;

  come col balenar tona in un punto,

  così fu’ io de’ begli occhi lucenti

  et d’un dolce saluto inseme aggiunto.

  109

  Alas, whenever Love besieges me

  (more than a thousand times through day and night)

  I turn to where I saw those burning sparks

  that make the fire in my heart immortal.

  Therein I calm myself and have become

  such that at noon, vespers, dawn, and at bell time

  I find them in my thought so tranquil there,

  I think of nothing else nor do I care.

  The gentle aura that from her splendid face

  moves with the sound of those wise words of hers

  to bring sweet weather every place it breathes,

  as if it were a breath from paradise

  forever in that air, seems to comfort me,

  and so my weary heart breathes nowhere else.

  110

  With Love pursuing me to that same place,

  I, cautious, as a man expecting war

  prepares himself and closes all the passes,

  was there and armed with all of my old thoughts;

  I turned and saw a shadow by my side

  stamped by the sun, and I knew from the ground

  that it was she (if judgment does not fail)

  who was more worthy of a godly state.

  I said inside my heart: “What do you fear?”

  No sooner had the thought come to my mind

  than were those rays that melt me present there:

  as lightning comes with thunder both at once,

  so I by lovely eyes that shone, was struck

  together with the sound of her sweet greeting.

  111

  La donna che ’l mio cor nel viso porta,

  là dove sol fra bei pensier d’amore

  sedea, m’apparve, e io per farle onore

  mossi con fronte reverente et smorta.

  Tosto che del mio stato fussi accorta,

  a me si volse in si novo colore

  ch’ avrebbe a Giove nel maggior furore

  tolto l’arme di mano et l’ira morta.

  I’ mi riscossi, et ella oltra parlando

  passò, ché la parola i’ non soffersi

  né ’l dolce sfavillar de gli occhi suoi.

  Or mi ritrovo pien di sì diversi

  piaceri, in quel saluto ripensando,

  che duol non sento né senti’ ma’ poi.

  112

  Sennuccio, i’ vo’ che sapi in qual manera

  trattato sono et qual vita è la mia:

  ardomi et struggo ancor com’ io solia,

  l’aura mi volve et son pur quel ch’ i’ m’era.

  Qui tutta umile et qui la vidi altera,

  or aspra or piana, or dispietata or pia,

  or vestirsi onestate or leggiadria,

  or mansueta or disdegnosa et fera.

  Qui canto dolcemente, et qui s’assise,

  qui si rivolse, et qui rattenne il passo,

  qui co’ begli occhi mi trafisse il core,

  qui disse una parola, et qui sorrise,

  qui cangiò il viso. In questi pensier, lasso,

  notte et dì tiemmi il signor nostro Amore.

  111

  The lady who in her eyes bears my heart

  appeared to me where I sat all alone

  in lovely thoughts of love; to pay her honor

  I moved, and my face was pale and reverent.

  As soon as she saw me in such condition

  she turned to me with color so astounding

  it would have made Jove in his greatest fury

  drop all his arms and kill his very wrath.

  And I was trembling as she spoke and passed

  me by, for I could not endure her words

  nor all the sparkling sweetness of those eyes.

  Now I am full of such extraordinary

  pleasure when reconsidering her greeting,

  I feel no pain and have not since that time.

  112

  Sennuccio, I want you to know the way

  I’m treated and the kind of life I lead:

  I burn and suffer as I always have,

  caught in the aura, I’m still just what I was.

  All humble here, and there I see her haughty,

  now harsh then kind, now cruel then merciful,

  now clothed in virtue, then lightheartedness,

  and now docile, and then fierce and disdainful.

  With sweetness she sang here, and here she sat,

  here she turned round, and here held back her steps,

  here with her lovely eyes she pierced my heart,

  here she pronounced a word and here she smiled,

  and here she changed expression. In thoughts like these,

  alas, our lord Love keeps me day and night.

  113

  Qui dove mezzo son, Sennuccio mio

  (così ci foss’ io intero et voi contento),

  venni fuggendo la tempesta e ’l vento

  ch’ ànno subito fatto il tempo rio.

  Qui son securo, et vo’ vi dir perch’ io

  non come soglio il folgorar pavento

  et perché mitigato, non che spento,

  né mica trovo il mio ardente desio.

  Tosto che giunto a l’amorosa reggia

  vidi onde nacque l’aura dolce et pura

  ch’ acqueta l’aere et mette i tuoni in bando,

  Amor ne l’aima ov’ ella signoreggia

  raccese ’l foco et spense la paura:

  che farrei dunque gli occhi suoi guardando?

  114

  De l’empia Babilonia ond’ è fuggita

  ogni vergogna, ond’ ogni bene è fori,

  albergo di dolor, madre d’errori,

  son fuggito io per allungar la vita.

  Qui mi sto solo, et come Amor m’invita

  or rime et versi, or colgo erbette et fiori,

  seco parlando et a tempi migliori

  sempre pensando, et questo sol m’aita.

  Né del vulgo mi cal, né di Fortuna,

  né di me molto, né di cosa vile,

  né dentro sento né di fuor gran caldo;

  sol due persone cheggio, et vorrei l’una

  col cor ver me pacificato umile,

  l’altro col pie’, sì come mai fu, saldo.

  113

  Here where there’s only half of me, Sennuccio

  (would that I were all here, and you were happy!),

  I came fleeing the tempest and the storm

  which suddenly have made the weather bad.

  Here I am safe and want to tell you why

  I do not fear the lightning as I did

  and why I do not find my burning wish

  lessened the slightest, not to say extinguished.

  Soon as I reached the realm of Love and saw

  the birthplace of that aura sweet and pure

  that calms the air and ba
nishes the thunder,

  Love, in my soul where she is in command,

  relit the fire and put out the fear.

  Imagine had I looked into her eyes!

  114

  From wicked Babylon, from which has fled

  all sense of shame, from which all good is gone,

  the home of sorrow, mother of all wrong,

  I’ve fled in order to prolong my life.

  Here I’m alone, and at Love’s invitation

  collect now rhymes and verse, now herbs and flowers,

  talking to him, and always thinking of

  those better days, and only this can help me.

  I’ve no concern for Fortune or the masses,

  or much for my own self or all base things,

  nor do I feel much heat inside or out.

  I want two persons only: one I wish

  with heart at peace and humble toward me,

  the other with a foot more firm than ever.

  115

  In mezzo di duo amanti onesta altera

  vidi una donna et quel signor co lei

  che fra gli uomini regna et fra li dei;

  et da l’un lato il sole, io da l’altro era.

  Poi che s’accorse chiusa da la spera

  de l’amico più bello, a gli occhi miei

  tutta lieta si volse, et ben vorrei

  che mai non fosse in ver di me più fera.

  Subito in allegrezza si converse

  la gelosia che ’n su la prima vista

  per si alto avversario al cor mi nacque;

  a lui la faccia lagrimosa et trista

  un nuviletto intorno ricoverse,

  cotanto l’esser vinto li dispiacque.

  116

  Pien di quella ineffabile dolcezza

  che del bel viso trassen gli occhi miei

  nel dì che volentier chiusi gli avrei

  per non mirar giamai minor bellezza,

  lassai quel ch’ i’ più bramo; et ò sì avezza

  la mente a contemplar sola costei

  ch’ altro non vede, et ciò che non è lei

  già per antica usanza odia et disprezza.

  In una valle chiusa d’ogn’ intorno,

  ch’ è refrigerio de’ sospir miei lassi,