1

I
Incenerite spoglie, avara tomba
Fatta del mio bel sol terreno cielo.
Ahi lasso! I'vegno ad inchinarvi in terra!
Con voi chius' è il mio cor' amarmi in seno
E none e giorno vive in pianto, in foco,
In duol' in ira il tormentato Glauco.

Beloved ashes, the insatiable tomb has been transformed into the sky which contains what was my sun on earth. My heart in its breast is locked in love with yours. And night and day, in tears, burning, in pain, in anger, the tormented Glauco spends his life.

2

II
Ditelo, o fiumi, e voi ch'udiste Glauco:
L'aria ferir di grida in su la tomba
Erme campagne, e'l son le Ninfe e'l Cielo;
A me fu cíbo il duol, bevanda il pianto,
Poi ch'il mio ben copri gelida terra,
Letto o sasso felice il tuo bel seno.

Cry out oh streams, and all you who hear Glauco; the air will carry the laments over the tomb through the barren countryside, to the nymphs and the sky. For me, anguish will be my food, tears my drink, for from now, covered by the cold earth, sleeping in a bed of stone, is your beautiful bosom that was once my happiness.

3

III
Darà la notte il sol lume alla terra,
Splenderà Cintia il di prima che Glauco
Di baciar, d'honorar, lasci quel seno
Che nido fu d'amor, che dura tomba
Preme; nè sol d'alti sospir, di pianto
Prodighe a lui saran le fere e'l Cielo.

In the night the sun will shed his beams over the earth, Diana will shine during the day, before Glauco will cease to kiss, to pay homage to this bosom which was the dwelling place of love and which now the heavy tomb weighs down; nor can the sun be too lavish with deep sighs, with weeping over his wounds, nor the sky.

4

IV
Ma to raccoglie, o Ninfa, in grembo il cielo.
Io per te miro vedova la terra,
Deserti i boschi, e corror fiumi il pianto.
E Driade e Napee del mesto Glauco
Ridicano i lamenti, e su la tomba
Cantano i pregi de l'amato seno.

But take her to yourselves, oh nymphs, in the lap of heaven. I look to you, the earth is widowed, the woods are deserted, and the rivers flow with tears. The dryads and the wood-spirits repeat the laments of the sorrowful Glauco, singing prayers over the tomb of the beloved heart.

5

V
O chiome d'or, neve gentil del seno,
O gigli de la man, Ch'invido il cielo
Ne rapi, Quando chiuse in ceica tomba,
Chi vi nasconde? Ohimè! povera terra!
Il fior d'ogni bellezza, il sol di Glauco
Nasconde? Ah muse qui sgorgate it pianto.

Oh hair of gold, oh snowy whiteness of breast, oh lilies of hands, which the envious heaven has snatched away, even if locked in the blind tomb, who can hide you? Woe! The poor earth! The flower of all beauty, the sun of Glauco, be concealed? Ah, muses, here gush with tears.

6

VI
Dunque agnate reliquie un mar di pianto
Non daran questi lumi al nobil seno
D'un freddo sasso? Ecco l'afflitto Glauco
Fa rissonar Corinna il mar e'l Cielo
Dicano i venti ogn'hor dica la terra,
Ahi Corinna! Ahi morte! Ahi tomba!

Therefore lovers, release a sea of tears, will they not bring some light to the noble bosom of this cold stone? Here the afflicted Glauco resounds with the name Corinna to the sea and the sky, crying each hour to the winds and the earth; ah, Corinna! ah, she who is dead! air, she who is in the tomb!

Cedano al pianto i detti, amato seno;
A te pace il Ciel, pac' a te Glauco
Prega honorata tomba e sacra terra.

Let the words give way to tears, beloved heart. Let heaven grant you peace, peace to you, Glauco, praying at the honored tomb and the sacred earth.

Zefiro torna e'l bel tempo rimena
Ei fiorie e l'herbe sua dolce famiglia
E garir progne e piagner filomena e primavera Candida e vermiglia
Ridono i prati e'l ciel si rasserena
Giove s'allegra di mirar sua figlia
L'aria e l'acqua e la terra è d'amor piena
Ma per me lasso tornano i più gravi sospiri ogni animal d'amar si raconsiglia che dal cor profundo tragge quella ch'al ciel se ne portò le chiavi
E cantar augelletti e fiorir piaggie
E'n bella donna honesti atti soavi
Sono un deserto e fere aspre e selvaggie.

The zephyr returns and the lovely weather stirs up the flowers and all the grassy family, the swallows warble and the nightingale sings and spring is clean and bright, and the fields smile and the sky is serene. Jove happily looks upon his child, the air, water and the land are full of love, every animal in love is reconfirmed. But for tired me only the saddest sighs return, which she who took the keys to heaven with her, wrings front the deepmost part of my heart. And the birds sing and the countryside flourishes. But when with a beautiful woman, the gentle honest acts become a harsh, wild and uncultivated desert.

8

Lasciatemi morire!
E chi volete voi, che mi conforte
In così dura sorte,
In così gran martire?
Lasciatemi morire.

Leave me here that I may die. And should you wish, what comfort could you give me in so heavy a misfortune, in so great a martyrdom. Leave me here that I may die.

9

O Teseo, O Teseo mio, Si, che mio ti vo' dir, che mio pur sei, Benchè t'involi, ahi crudo, agliocchi miei. Volgiti, Teseo mio, Volgiti, Teseo, O Dio! Volgiti indietro a rimirar colei Che lasciato ha per te la Patria e'l Regno, E'n quest'arene ancora, Cibo di fere dispietate e crude, Lascierà l'ossa ignude! O Teseo, O Teseo mio, Se tu sapessi, O Dio! Se tu sapessi, ohimè, come s'affanna la povera Arianna, Forse pentito Rivolgeresti ancor la prora allito! Ma con l'aure serene Tu te ne vai felice et io qui piango. A te prepara Atene Liete pompe superbe, ed io rimango Cibo di fere in solitarie arene. Te l'un' e l'altro tuo vecchio parente Stringeran lieti, et io Più non vedrovi, O Madre, O Padre mio!

O my Theseus, I confess to you that you are still my love, although, cruel one, you have turned away from me, gone from my eyes. Turn back, my Theseus, in the name of God, turn back to look again upon her who for your sake abandoned her homeland and her throne, and is now left alone on these desolate sands, the prey of wild beasts who will leave her bare bones scattered about. O Theseus mine, in the name of God, if you could see how famished is your poor Ariadne, perhaps you would repent, you would turn the prow of your ship back to this beach. But gentle winds are carrying you in happiness away from me, while I am left weeping. Athens is preparing a triumphal reception for you, with pomp and fanfare, and I am left to be the prey of wild beasts on this lonely strand. Your aged parents will come joyfully to meet and embrace you, while I will never again see my dear mother and dear father.

10

Dove, dov'è la fede Che tanto mi giuravi? Così ne l'alta fede Tu mi ripon de gl'avi? Son queste le corone onde m'adorni il crine? Questi gli scettri sono, Queste le gemme e gl'ori? Lasciarmi in abbandono, A fera che mi stracci e mi divori? Ah Teseo, ah Teseo mio, Lascierai tu morire Invan piangendo, invan gridando 'aita, La misera Arianna Ch'a te fidossi e ti diè gloria e vita?

Where are the promises which you so abundantly swore to me? Where is the lofty throne on which you promised to seat me? Is this the crown that was to be placed on my head? Are these the gleaming scepters? Are these the jewels and golden ornaments? Left abandoned for wild beasts to rend and devour? Oh, Theseus mine, he leaves me that I may die. Useless is my weeping, useless are my cries for aid. Do you think of the miserable Ariadne who trusted you so well, to whom you owe your fame and your life?

11

Ahi, che non pur rispondi! Ahi, che più d'asp'è sordo a' miei lamenti! O nembri, O turbi, O venti, Sommergetelo voi dentr'a quell'onde! Correte, orche e balene, E delle membra immonde Empiete le voragini profonde! Che parlo, ahi, che vaneggio? Misera, ohimè, che chieggio? O Teseo, O Teseo mio, Non son, non son quell'io, Non son quell'io che i feri detti sciolse; Parlò l'affanno mio, parlò il dolore, Parlò la lingua, sì, ma non già il cuore.

Alas, he makes no reply to me, alas, he is as deaf as a snake to my complaints. O storm clouds, tempests, wild winds, drown him in the waves. Run to him, sea monsters and whales, engulf his impious, unclean limbs in the depths. What am I swing? Alas, how I rave in my misery! Ah me, w at am I asking? Oh Theseus mine, I am not myself, while wild beasts here threaten me, it is my deprivation that is speaking, it is my sorrow. My tongue is speaking thus, but not my heart.

Oimè il bel viso, oimè il soave sguardo, Oimè il leggiadro portamento altero! Oimè il parlar ch'ogni aspro ingegno e fero Facevi umile, et ogni uom vil gagliardo! Et oimè il dolce riso onde uscio 'l dardo Di che morte, altro bene omai non spero!

Oh that beautiful face, that lovely glance, oh that graceful and proud bearing, oh that speech which humbled every proud and sharp intellect and gave courage to every timid man, oh that beautiful smile from which came the dart for which I now await no other good except death.

Alma real, dignissima d'impero, Se non fossi fro noi scesa si tardo! Per voi conven ch'io arda e'n voi respire, Ch'i pur fui vostro, e, se di voi son privo, Via men d'ogni sventura altra mi dole. Di Speranza m'empieste e di desire Quand'io parti dal sommo piacer vivo: Ma 'l vento ne portava le parole.

A noble soul, worthy of empire, if she had not descended among us so late! It is convenient that I burn so and that I long for you because I was yours, and if I am deprived of you any other misfortunes pain me less. I became empty of hope and desire when I was parted from my greatest live pleasure; but the wind carries away my words!

Baci, soavi, e cari, Cibi della mia vita,
C'hor m'inuolate, hor me rendete il core,
Per voi convien, ch'impari, come un alma rapita
Non senta il duol di mort'e pur si more.
Quant' ha di dolce amore!
Per the Sempre io vi baci,
O dolcissime rose!
In voi tutto ripose.
E s'io potessi a i vostri dolci baci
La mia vita finire,
O the dolce morire!

Kisses, sweet and beloved, food of my life, which each hour surround and tear at my heart, for you it is important to learn how a ravished soul does not feel the pain of death and yet dies. How much sweetness is there to love!
For all my kisses are for you, O sweetest of rosy lips.
In you I find all my repose. If on your sweet kisses I could end my life, how sweet it would be to die.

Ecco mormorar l'onde, E tremolar le fronde
A l'aura matutina, e gl'arborselli;
E sovra i verdi rami
I vagh' angelli Cantar soavemente,
E rider l'oriente!
Ecco, gia l'alb' appare
E si specchia nel mare
E rasserena il cielo,
E imperla il dolce gielo,
E gl'alti monti indora!
O! Bella e vagh' aurora!
L'aura è tua messagiera
E tu de l'aura,
Ch'ogn' arso cor si ristaura.

Here the waves murmur and the boughs tremble, and the bushes in the morning breeze. And over the green branches the birds like a choir of angels sweetly sing. And the East is brightly smiling. Here, already the sunrise appears, and is reflected in the ocean waters, and calms the sky, the sweet dew forms in pearls, and the mountain peaks turn gold. O! Beautiful and lovely is the dawn! The breeze is your messenger, and through the air you restore each parched heart to health.

A'un giro sol de bell'occhi lucenti
Ride l'aria d'intorno,
E‘i mar s'acqueta e i venti,
E si fa il ciel d'un altro lume adorno.

At but one glance from those sparkling eyes, the air, surrounding, laughs.
The sea quiets down, and the winds, and the sky glows with a different light.

Sol io le luci ho lagrismose e meste.
Certo! Quando nasceste
Cosi crudeleria,
Nacque la morte mia!

Only my eyes arc tearful and sorrowful. This had to be!
When you were born, cruel one, born also was my death.

Non più Guerra! Pietate!
Occhi miei belli! Occhi miei trionfanti!
A che v'armate?
Contr'un cor che già preso e vi si rende?

Let war end! Have mercy! Your beautiful eyes! Your triumphant eyes! Against whom are you taking up arms? Against a heart that is already a prize, that has surrendered!

Ancidete i rubella!
Ancidete chi s'arm‘ e si difende,
Non chi vinto v'adora!

Kill those who rebel! Kill one who arms himself and defends himself, not him who is conquered and adores you.

Volete voi ch'io mora, Moro pur vostro;
E del morire l'affanno sentiró. Si!
Ma sarà vostro il danno.

If you wish that I die, I will die for you; I will suffer the pangs of failing breath. Yes! But yours will be the hurt.

Sfogava con le stelle
In inferno d'aurore
Sotto notturno ciel il suo dolore.
E dicea, fisso in loco:
"O imagini belle
Del idol mio ch'adoro,
So com‘a me mostrate
Mentre cosí splendete
La sua rara beltate
Cosi mostraste a lei
I vivi ardori miei.
La fareste col vostr'aureo sembiante Pietosa,
Pietosa sí Pietosa,
Come me fat'amante."

He poured forth to the stars in the hell of dawn, under the night sky, his lament.
And he said, fixed to the spot, "O beautiful images of the idol I worship, as you show her to me, resplendent in her rare beauty, in the same way show her my ardor. Make her, with your golden halo, merciful, merciful, so merciful, as you have made me her lover."

Beltà poi che t'assenti come ne porti il cor,
portai tormenti, che tormentato cor,
puo ben sentire la doglia del morire.
E un' alma senza core, non puo senor dolore.

My love, since you have gone, taking my heart with you, I live in torment. A tortured heart knows well the grief of dying. But a heartless soul can feel no pain.

Ecco, morirò dunque!
Ne sia che pur rimire
Tù ch'anci di mirand il mio morire.

Behold! Because of you I die, and yours must be the torture of seeing my death.

Hai, gia mi disco loro oimè, viè meno!
La luce à gl'occhi miei la voce al seno
O, che morte gradita!
S'almè potessi dir morro mia vita.

Ah, light of my eyes, alas, to my woe death comes.
Light vanishes from my sight,
My voice fades.
How welcome is death when my soul says, "Death, you are my life."

Morro lasso al mio duolo
E chi mi può dar vita
Ahi, che m'ancide e non vuol darmi aita.
O dolorosa sorte,
Chi dar vita mi può, ahi, mi da morte.

Dying, I am miserable in my pain, and that which can give me life, alas! is that which is killing me and gives no aid. Oh painful fortune, whomsoever earl give me life, gives me death instead.