317. ‘Tranquillo porto avea mostrato Amore’

after my long dark storm, among the years

of the age of true maturity, that banish vice,

and dress themselves in virtue and honour.

Already my heart shone clear to her lovely eyes,

and my deep loyalty no longer vexed her.

Ah, cruel Death, how quick you were to spoil

the fruit of so many years in a few short hours!

If she were only living I’d have laid down

the ancient burden of my sweet thoughts,

speaking them to those chaste ears:

and she perhaps would have replied to me

with some sacred words, in sighing,

both of our faces altered, and our hair.

Notes