Volume 9 (2003) No. 1
Jeffrey Kurtzman
Deconstructing Gender in Monteverdi’s L’Orfeo
Appendix
Rosa del ciel, Text and Translation
| Rosa
del ciel, vita del mondo, e degna Prole di lui che l’universo affrena; Sol, che’l tutto circondi e’l tutto miri Da gli stellanti giri, Dimmi, vedestù mai Di me più lieto e fortunato Amante? Fu ben felice il giorno, Mio ben, che pria ti vidi; E più felice l’hora Che per te sospirai, Poi ch’al mio sospirar tu sospirasti. Felicissimo il punto Che la candida mano, Pegno di pura fede, à me porgete. Se tanti cori havessi Quant’occhi ha’l ciel eterno, e quante chiome Han questi colli ameni il verde maggio, Tutti colmi sarieno e traboccanti Di quel piacer ch’oggi mi fa contento. |
Rose
of heaven, life of the world, and worthy progeny of him who governs the universe; Sun, who circumscribes everything and sees everything, From your starry rounds, Tell me, did you ever see than I a happier and more fortunate lover? Happy was the day, My love, that first I saw you; And even happier the hour That I sighed for you, Since at my sigh, you sighed. Happiest the moment That your white hand, A pledge of pure faith, to me you offered. If I had as many hearts As heaven has eternal eyes, and as many leaves as have these pleasant hills this green May, All would be filled and overflowing With that pleasure that today makes me content. |