| DUE DONNE IN CIMA ... | OF BEAUTY AND DUTY |
| Dante Alighieri | tr. Dante Gabriel Rossetti |
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Due donne in cima de la mente mia venute sono a ragionar d'amore: l'una ha in sé cortesia e valore, prudenza e onestà in compagnia; l'altra ha bellezza e vaga leggiadria, adorna gentilezza le fa onore: e io, merzé del dolce mio signore, mi sto a piè de la lor signoria. Parlan Bellezza e Virtù a l'intelletto, e fan quistion come un cor puote stare intra due donne con amor perfetto. Risponde il fonte del gentil parlare ch'amar si può bellezza per diletto, e puossi amar virtù per operare. |
Two ladies to the summit of my mind Have clomb, to hold an argument of love. The one has wisdom with her from above, For every noblest virtue well designed: The other, beauty's tempting power refined And the high charm of perfect grace approve: And I, as my sweet Master's will doth move, At feet of both their favors am reclined. Beauty and Duty in my soul keep strife, At question if the heart such course can take And 'twixt the two ladies hold its love complete. The fount of gentle speech yields answer meet, That Beauty may be loved for gladness sake, And Duty in the lofty ends of life. |