L'avara Babilonia à colmo il sacco
d'ira di Dio, e di vitii empii et rei,
tanto che scoppia, ed à fatti suoi dèi
non Giove et Palla, ma Venere et Bacco.
Aspectando ragion mi struggo et fiacco;
ma pur novo soldan veggio per lei,
lo qual farà, non già quand'io vorrei,
sol una sede, et quella fia in Baldacco.
Gl'idoli suoi sarranno in terra sparsi,
et le torre superbe, al ciel nemiche,
e i suoi torrer' di for come dentro arsi.
Anime belle et di virtute amiche
terranno il mondo; et poi vedrem lui farsi
aurëo tutto, et pien de l'opre antiche.
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Greedy Babylon has crammed the bag
with God's anger, wicked fare, and deeds,
almost to bursting, and has made its deities
not Jupiter and Pallas, but Venus and Bacchus.
Waiting for justice wearies and consumes me:
but I foresee a new sultan among them,
who will establish one seat, not soon enough
for me, and that will be in Baghdad.
Babylon's idols will be scattered on the ground,
and her proud towers, threatening heaven,
and her guards burned as they burn within.
Beautiful souls and friends of virtue
will rule the world: and we'll see it turned
all to gold, and filled with ancient works.
Note:
An attack on the Papal Court at Avignon
(Babylon) and a vision of a reformed Papacy (the new
sultan) with its seat in Rome (Baghdad).
Jupiter and Pallas represent Justice and Wisdom,
Venus and Bacchus, Sensuality and Wine.
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