✤ View another piece from this Opus / Collection →
Lamento
Original Language: Italian
Appresso ai molli argenti
d'un rivo mormorante,
sedea Fileno amante
per accordar con l'onde i suoi lamenti,
allor ch'in sen nutriva
per lontana beltà fiamme cocenti.
Ond'ei, dal duolo oppresso,
sospirava, piangeva, indi s'udiva
gridar contro la sorte;
e solo egli chiedea,
per dar fine al suo mal, pietade a morte.
Onde, da un cruccio interno
traffitto e combattuto,
mesto, pallido e muto
le luci al ciel rivolse,
poi, parlando così, d'Amor si dolse:
"A qual barbara sventura
mi condanna Amor tiranno,
che sol vuol di pena e affanno
del cor ch'avampa alimentar l'arsura!
A' miei danni congiurato,
vuol Amor per tormentarmi
dal mio sole allontanarmi
perch'io mora disperato,
ond'io provo in modo strano
mentre a Filli son lontano,
più ardent'il foco e la prigion più dura.
A qual barbara sventura!
Appresso il caro bene
gradite eran le pene,
m'era dolce il soffrir, soave il foco,
Ma l'idolo ch'adoro
in pianto amaro or ch'io non miro, io moro.
Chiare stelle in ciclo ardenti,
siete belle e risplendenti,
ma sia pur con vostra pace:
più assai di voi il mio bel sol mi piace.
Augelletti, che spiegate
vostr'affetti in voci grate,
di voi tutti il canto io lodo,
ma in udir Filli mia molto più godo.
Vaghi fiori, che spirate
d'almi odori aurette amate,
sete belli, io lo ravviso,
ma son più belli i fior ch'ha Filli in viso.
Mentr'in tal guisa il misero Fileno,
lagnandosi d'Amore
narrava il suo dolore
alle stelle, agl'augelli, ai fiori, all'acque,
dal mesto cor trasse un sospiro e tacque.
Poet:
English
Lament
By the silvery waters
of a murmering stream
sat the lover Fileno,
tuning his laments to the waves
while in his breast he nurtured
burning flames for his distant beloved.
Thus, burdened by pain
he sighed, he wept,
and then was heard to cry out against fate
and only he asked of Death
to pity him and end his pain.
Thus by an inner anguish
transfixed and battered,
joyless, pale, and mute
he raised his eyes to the heavens
then speaking thus of love he complained:
To what barbarous misfortune
tyrant Cupid condemns me,
who only wish to feed the flames
of a heart burning with pain and longing!
Pledged to my harm,
Cupid wants to torment me
by keeping me far from my Sun,
so I would die in despair.
Thus, in a strange way I feel,
while far away from my Filli
the fire more hot and the prison even stronger.
To what barbarous mistortune!
Close to my dear beloved
these pains were even welcome,
suffering was sweet, the fire was soothing;
but since I no longer see the idol I adore,
in bitter tears now I die.
Bright stars burning in the heaven,
you are beautiful and resplendent,
but my beautiful Sun would please me
even more than your peace.
Little birds who show your affections
in pleasing voices,
although I praise all that you sing
I would enjoy hearing my Filli even more!
Delicate flowers which exhale
sweet soul of perfume on the breeze,
you are beautiful, as I perceive,
but even more lovely the flowers of Filli’s aspect.
Whilst in such way the miserable Fileno
moaning of love,
narrated his sorrow
to the stars, the birds, the flowers, the waters,
from his sad heart a sigh escaped, and he was silent.
Translated by:
Candace A. Magner
Find the score...
Appresso ai molli argenti
Published by Cor Donato Editions in historically correct modern transcription, including critical introductory notes on the work, editorial procedures, original texts with new English translations, and other contextual information about the piece.
Now available at CorDonatoEditions.com!
Purchase score →
