Poet/poetic source: Attr. to Giovanni Battista Guarini
Poetic form/text type: madrigal
Music composer: Benedetto Pallavicino (c.1551-1601)
Music source: Il quarto libro de madrigali a 5 voci (Angelo Gardano press, Venice, 1588)
| Original Italian | Translation |
|
Tutto eri foco, Amore quand'arsi prima in quel soave sguardo ov'era scritto di tua man: i' Ardo. Ahi! cieco senza fede! Più cieco è chi ti crede, che quando giaccio fui, tu fosti ardore; Or giaccio sei, ch'ho tutto fiamma il core. |
You were all fire, Love, when first I burned in that gentle gaze where was written, by your own hand: I burn. Ah! Blind without faith! More blind is he who trusts you, for when I was ice, you were burning passion; Now you are as ice, while my heart is all aflame. |