Tutta la mia fiorita et verde etade
passava, e 'ntepidir sentia già 'l foco
ch'arse il mio core, et era giunto al loco
ove scende la vita ch'al fin cade.
Già incomminciava a prender securtade
la mia cara nemica a poco a poco
de' suoi sospetti, et rivolgeva in gioco
mie pene acerbe sua dolce honestade.
Presso era 'l tempo dove Amor si scontra
con Castitate, et agli amanti è dato
sedersi inseme, et dir che lor incontra.
Morte ebbe invidia al mio felice stato,
anzi a la speme; et feglisi a l'incontra
a mezza via come nemico armato.
|
All my green and flowering time was past,
and I felt the fire that burned my heart
already cooling, since I had reached
the place where life descends its final slope.
Already little by little my dear enemy
was beginning to feel more free
of all suspicion, and her sweet virtue
had turned my bitter pain to joy.
The time was near when Love meets
Chastity, and to lovers it is given
to sit together, and talk face to face.
Death was envious of my happy state,
or rather my hopes: and rode midway
to the encounter, like a well-armed enemy.
|
