Occhi miei lassi, mentre ch'io vi giro

Canzoniere #14 (XIV)

Poetic form: ballata grande

Occhi miei lassi, mentre ch'io vi giro nel bel viso di quella che v'à morti, pregovi siate accorti, ché già vi sfida Amore, ond'io sospiro. Morte pò chiuder sola a' miei penseri l'amoroso camin che gli conduce al dolce porto de la lor salute; ma puossi a voi celar la vostra luce per meno obgetto, perché meno interi siete formati, et di minor virtute. Però, dolenti, anzi che sian venute l'ore del pianto, che son già vicine, prendete or a la fine breve conforto a sì lungo martiro.

My weary eyes, there, while I turn you towards the lovely face of her who slays you, I pray you guard yourself since, already, Love challenges you, so that I sigh. Only Death can close from my thoughts the loving path that leads them to the sweet doorway of their blessing; but your light can hide itself from you for less reason, since you are formed as lesser entities, and of less power. But, grieve, before the hour of tears is come, that is already near, take to the end now brief comfort from such long suffering.

---

All translations copyrighted by A.S. Kline, and are used with explicit permission.

Composer	Title	Subtitle	Language	Parts	Files
Jacques Arcadelt (c.1507-1568)	Occhi miei lassi		italian	4	Score + parts  Watch on youtube