S' I' FOSSE FOCO ...	IF I WERE FIRE ...
Cecco Angiolieri	tr. Simon Evnine
S' i' fosse foco, arderei ‘l mondo; S' i' fosse vento, lo tempesterei; S' i' fosse acqua, i' l'annegherei; S' i' fosse Dio, manderei l' in profondo; S' i' fosse papa, sare' allor giocondo, Che tutt' i cristiani imbrighierei: S' i' fosse ‘mperator, sa' che farei? A tutti mozzarei lo capo a tondo. S' i' fosse morte, andarei da mio padre; S' i' fosse vita, fuggirei da lui: Similmente faria da mi' madre. S' i' fosse Cecco, com' i' sono e fui, Torre le donne giovan' e leggiadre E vecchi' e laide lasserei altrui.	If I were fire, I would consume the world; If I were wind, then I would blow it down; If I were water, I would make it drown; If I were God, t'would to the depths be hurled. If I were Pope, I'd have a lot of fun With how I'd make all Christians work for me; If I were emperor, then you'd really see - I'd have the head cut off of everyone. If I were death, then I'd go to my father If I were life, I'd not abide with him And so, and so, would I do to my mother If I were Cecco - as in fact I am - I'd chase the young and pretty girls; to others Would I leave the lame or wrinkled dam.

Click here 4 for another translation of this poem.

Trans. Copyright © Simon Evnine 2006

next

index