pipetsol

SOLO ET PENSOSO ... (Canzoniere, 35)	ALL PENSIVE AND ALONE ...
Francesco Petrarca	tr. Alan Crosier
Solo et pensoso i piú deserti campi vo mesurando a passi tardi et lenti, et gli occhi porto per fuggire intenti ove vestigio human l’arena stampi. Altro schermo non trovo che mi scampi dal manifesto accorger de le genti, perché negli atti d’alegrezza spenti di fuor si legge com’io dentro avampi: sí ch’io mi credo omai che monti et piagge et fiumi et selve sappian di che tempre sia la mia vita, ch’è celata altrui. Ma pur sí aspre vie né sí selvagge cercar non so ch’Amor non venga sempre ragionando con meco, et io co llui.	All pensive and alone through empty land I walk with slow and hesitating pace, And watch to keep away from any place Where any human footprint marks the sand. No shield apart from this have I to hand From people’s knowing stares to hide my face; And even in my actions, drained of grace, They’d see how hotly burns my hidden brand. So now it seems that every hill and slope And every stream and wood can clearly see The way I live my life concealed from men. Yet no track so desolate can I hope To find where Love can’t walk along with me And speak with me, and I with him, again.