Poet/poetic source: Anonymous poet
Poetic form/text type: madrigal
Music composer: Giovanni Contino (c.1513-1574)
Music source: Di Cipriano Il quarto libro di madrigali a 5 voci (Antonio Gardano press, Venice, 1557)
| Original Italian | Translation |
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Dal gran pastor Idèo vista e rapita la bella figlia che di Leda nacque cagion fu ch'indi in fiamme Troia giacque. Io, che sol col desio della beltà infinita d'Elena godo in un più fier ardore, tengo li spirti e'l core ch'al fin quel foco è stinto pur finio, ma ognor per farse eterno cresc'il mio. |
Seen and abducted by the great Idaean shepherd, the beautiful daughter born of Leda was the cause that set sleeping Troy aflame. I, with only desire for the infinite beauty of Helen enjoy an even fiercer passion, sustaining my spirit and heart, for in the end even that fire was extinguished, but mine, becoming eternal, yet grows. |