| O SONNO | SLEEP |
| Giovanni Della Casa | trans. Peter Dean |
|
O sonno, o della queta humida ombrosa notte, placido figlio; o de' mortali egri conforto, oblio dolce de' mali sė gravi ond'è la vita aspra e noiosa: soccorri al cor homai che langu'e posa non have, e queste membra stanch' e frali soleva. A me t'envola, o sonno, e l'ali tue brune sovra me distendi e posa. Ov'è'l silentio che'l dė fugge e'l lume, ei lievi sogni che con non sicure vestigia di seguirti han per costume? Lasso ch'in van ti chiamo e queste oscur'e gelide ombre in van lusingo: O più me d'asprezza colme, o notti acerb'e dure. |
O sleep, the placid child of quiet night And its damp shadows, comforter alone For suffering humanity, sweet oblivion Against harsh ills, life tedious, spent in fright, Give succour to a heart that knows no rest, whose plight Is dire, and raise these limbs whose strength is gone Up high. O sleep, I beg, let me be one You enfold and let your dark spread wings on me alight. Where is the silence day and light both flee, And pleasant dreams leaving behind no trace That follow after you at most times usually? Alas! In vain do I appeal to you and chase These dark and freezing shadows with my plea: O pinions without pity! O nights of cruel pace! |
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Trans. copyright © Peter Dean 2004