THE LIBRARY OF THE UNIVERSITY OF NORTH CAROLINA AT CHAPEL HILL DIALECTIC AND PHILANTHROPIC SOCIETIES PQ6391 .A3 W34 1803 00005252665 This book is due at the WALTER R DAVIS LIBRARY on the last date stamped under “Date Due.” If not on hold it may be renewed by bringing it to the library. DATE due ret - DATE DUE RET ‘ '7 f) c fj r ^ fPts, y- jX: $ i 4% ► O "T n j-l w 0 2 20i i APR 3 0 2004 ~ ADr f\ r AAAi ■ «rr u j dim riiauv n /■ onoo ,. 'JAN 0 J f . for/r? No. 513, Rev. 1/84 > Digitized by the Internet Archive in 2020 with funding from University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill https://archive.org/details/isabelfromspanisOOvega I S A B E L FROM Cf)C ©panisb OF GARCILASO DE LA VEGA; PQ43f/ .AS’ W34- l t OS' WITH OTHER POEMS AND TRANSLATIONS FROM THE GREEK, ITALIAN, &c. &c. Graviora deinceps mediteris; hase enim, quae edidisti, aetati concedi possunt. POGGIUS Ant. Panhormitce. Vid. Epist. Beccatelli, IV. 79. Ne leggano i severi i detti nostri. TASSO. CAMBRIDG AND SOLD BY DEIGHTON, AND BA I f TO THE REVEREND WILLIAM L O R T MAN8EL D. D. MASTER OF TRINITY COLLEGE IN CAMBRIDGE THE POEM OF ISABEL IS INSCRIBED AS A TESTIMONY OF VERY SINCERE RESPECT AND ESTEEM BY HIS OBLIGED SERVANT THE AUTHOR. t . \ . . • • . ADVERTISEMENT. The Reader is here presented with a Translation of the Poem of Garcilaso de la Vega, written on the death of Isabel de Freyre, the wife of Don Antonio de Fonseca. It is to be found in the Parnaso Espahol, vol. II. in the Egloga in which Salicio and Nemoroso are introduced as the speakers. By the former, Garcilaso himself is represented ; by the latter, the husband of Isabel.-Those who are desirous of obtaining information concerning the life and writings of the Spanish poet, are referred to the publication above mentioned. The following Poem was not selected as the most beautiful or most interesting of his productions: the object which chiefly presented itself to the mind of the Translator, in the version of this and many other pieces in the present work, was a desire to make himself, by such exercise, more intimately acquainted with the language of the originals. The contents of this volume are submitted to the Public as the result of the employment of hours of relaxation from other literary pursuits. From their general nature they aie ADVERTISEMENT. not entitled to aspire, in the words of the Italian bard, to the suon de’ nuovi inusitati accenti.” They cannot claim to the author the application of the animated lines of Testi: “ Tu nascesti alle Muse; a i tuoi vagiti I suoi canti alterno Pindo e Permesso; E nuovi lauri al tuo natale istesso Dell’ onda Ippocrenea nacquer su i liti.” Comp. Lirici, II. 175. Trln. Coll. ROBERT WALPOLE. The Reader will observe that Garcilaso has used the word Elisa, the anagram of Isabel ■ “ a quien celebra con el ana- gramma de Elisa.”— Par. Es. C O NTEN T S. p Isabel . “ And dost thou ask ” . . . . From the German . From the Spanish . From the Italian . “Turn, Lady; heed no more” . From the Spanish . From the German . From the French . From the Sicilian . From the Greek . From the same . From the same ...... From the Spanish . . PAGE ... 30 From the Greek . . . ... 31 From the same . . . ... 32 From the same . . . From the same . . . From the same . . . ... 38 From the same . . . ... 39 “ Yes, while I linger” . ... 40 From the Italian . . ... 42 The Zephyr .... From the Italian . . ... 44 Sicilian Sonnet of Meli . ... 46 AGE 1 13 14 16 17 18 19 21 24 26 27 28 29 ISABEL, TRANSLATED FROM THE SPANISH OF Garcilaso dc la Vega. Ahi, questo d’ Imeneo frutto si coglie i * * » # * Piangono ancor le giovanette spose E temendo simil cruda sciagura A1 talamo nuzial vanno ritrose. FRUGONI. See note, p, 7 ISABEL. FROM THE SPANISH, “ Ita n’e Beatrice in alto cielo, Nel reame ove gli Angeli lianno pace.” DANTE. * Ye crystal floods, that lave With gently murmuring wave These banks, where Spring its earliest sweets exhales Ye lofty shades, that show Within the stream below Your broad boughs bending to the whispering gales; Ye verdant plains and groves, l That Melancholy loves. Where pours the bird of night her softest lays; Ah scenes that ever dear To Memory still appear. For still they paint the joys of former days ! * “ Corrientes aguas, puras, cristallinae,” &c. 4 And here, when Life first smil’d. Did Hope, sweet Fancy’s child. Bid the blythe hours in circling rapture roll; But thou, fell Grave, at last Hast torn with withering blast Each wreath that Joy had twin’d around my soul. O that thy ruthless power Had in some future hour. Some later time, pronounc’d her fatal doom! Perchance with age opprest I then had sunk to rest. Then follow’d thee, Eliza, to thy tomb. And is all fled, like dreams That fade before Morn’s beams ? In vain these eyes each grace, each charm require. That once thy form around With youth and beauty crown’d, Awak’d pure love, and kindled young desire. No more thy lips disclose Sweets of the opening rose. No more thy dark locks float upon the wind; And in the grave below Cold lies that breast of snow. Which Virtue chasten’d, and which Taste refin’d. * Ah, who would e’er have deem’d, When late gay Fancy beam’d. And bade her pencil’s brightest colours glow, That soon athwart the skies The murky storm should rise. That soon the sable tide of grief should flow? And now that thou art laid Beneath yon cypress shade. O’er Nature’s face what lowering glooms appear; f Fade all the herbs and flowers That deck’d these verdant bowers ; Fade all the honours of the purple year. * “ Quien me dixera, Elisa, vida mia,” See. f “ El’ erlie, e i fior lasciar nude le piagge Ne piu di fronde il bosco si cosperse.” PIETRO BEMDO 6 As when the Sun has tied Unto his western bed. And shadowy phantoms through the night arise. Affright and Terror pale The sinking heart assail. Till the glad dawn beam forth, and gild the orient skies; So since to Heaven upborne Thou’st left me here to mourn. One long drear night of woe my soul dismays;— O that it soon may fly. And that blest day be nigh. In which on thee again I may securely gaze! And as with plaintive strains Lone Philomel complains. And pours her sorrows on the Night’s dull ear. When from the secret wood. Where slept the callow' brood. Some ruthless swain has torn her offspring dear; l 7 So to thy memory flow These tears of endless woe. And burning sighs my anguish’d bosom swell. Since Death’s relentless power Tore thee, in evil hour. From this fond heart, where thou didst ever dwell. How oft I turn to view This lock of auburn hue. Once wont to shade and grace thy breast of snow ! At sight of pledge so dear How starts the trembling tear ! Yet does the trembling tear some sad relief bestow. How oft to Fancy’s eyes Does that dread hour arise. That fatal hour that saw thy yielding breath ! E’en still to Fancy flows Each sound of madd’ning throes. And agonizing pangs that spoke impending death *. ■S' r * -r-r * The death of Isabel de Freyre was occasioned by child-birth. The Poet in the next stanza addresses Diana, who, under the name of Lucina, presided over parturition. V ■ ■ ' ■? • - ■ — 1 « MISCELLANEOUS TRANSLATIONS. Mentre ch’Amor con dilettoso inganno Nudria il mio cor nelle speranze prime. La mente, con pietose e dolci rime, Mostrar cercava al mondo il nostro affanno. SANNAZZARO, Com. Lirici, III. 187. 1 3 MISCELLANEOUS. “ Io gli occhi a te rivolto, E nel tuo vezzosetto e lieto viso Dolcemente m’ affiso.” TASSO, Comp. Lirici, I. 172 And dost thou ask why still so frequent flow These sighs for thee, for thee whom Nature blest ' With every charm? Does not the mountain snow With the fair lily heave upon thy breast ? Does not the rose shed o’er thy cheeks and lips Its hues ? and has not Ocean placed his pearls Within those lips ? Does not thy breath inhale Fragrance from every herb and flower that sips The morning dew ? — Upon the passing gale Wanton the tresses of thy golden curls. Dipt in the Sun’s first rays; while from thine eyes The Star of Eve its chasten’d lustre throws.— For these thy charms I sigh : — but more I prize The heart that, true to Love, with Love’s fond raptures glows 14 FROM THE GERMAN. GESNER. * Hail, Morning, to thy rising beam. That gilds with light the mountain’s brow. And shines and glitters in the stream That winds along the vale below! Joy, and health, and glad delight. Await thy steps, thy march pursue;— The Zephyr now that slept the night In flowers that weep beneath the dew. His plumes with new-born vigour tries. And lifts him from his balmy bed ;— And dreams, that round the wearied eyes Of mortals hover’d, now are fled. * See the Poem entitled “ Morgenlied,” in Gesner’s Schriften, vol. II. p. 169. “ Willkommen, friiher Morgenglanz.” 15 Haste, ye Gales, and through the air Waft the sweets from every flower. And wave your wings around my Fair, Who slumbers in yon rosy bower; Pant o’er her lip and cheek’s bright hues. And heave upon her heaving breast; And when ye’ve chas’d Sleep’s balmy dews. And gently burst the bonds of rest. Oh whisper to her listening ear. That ere bright Morn had deck’d the sky. These streams beheld me shed the tear. And heard me pour for her the sigh ! 16 FROM THE SPANISH. GARCILASO DE LA VEGA *. “ ^Etas, et corpus tenerum et morigeratio, Hsec sunt venena formosarum mulierum.” AFRANIUS. Now the chaste lily, blended with the rose. O’er thy warm cheek its softening lustre sheds; And now each tress in golden ringlets Hows Down thy fair neck, and o’er thy bosom spreads: Now heaves that bosom in luxuriance high ; Now beam the thrilling glances from thine eye. O heed the moment! pluck the flower of love Or ere it fade and wither in the blast! Mark through the glass of Time the swift sands move. And Age o’er all its darkening mantle cast. And when that eye is dimm’d, and wintry snow Whitens those clust’ring locks—ah ! then no more Will Youths to thee their sighs of passion pour. Nor e’er a second Spring thy faded beauty know. * “ En tanto que de rosa y de azusena,” 17 FROM THE ITALIAN. ARIOSTO. Still let them deem, who will, that Time’s cold hand * Must break those ties which round the youthful breast Fond Love had twin’d in many a tender band. When Life first dawn’d in Hope’s bright colours drest. For me, I care not whether Age severe Bid o’er my brows the silvery tresses flow; Still with Love’s thrilling notes my lyre shall glow. Still hymn the lays to love and Laura dear.— So may each minute of Life’s evening hour Glide on with silent foot: and when no more My soul can taste the joys it knew before,— When all the vision’d day-dreams of delight. Which Fancy erst had \vove, have wing’d their flight,— I’ll bow my willing head to Fate’s almighty power. * “ Tensi, chi vuol, ch’cl tempo i lacci scioglia." ARIOSTO, E!e. xv IS “ And oft it falls (ah me, the more to rue !) That goodly beauty, albe’ heavenly born, Is foul abus’d, and that celestial hue. Which doth the world with her delight adorn. Made but the bait of sin,” SPENSER’s Hymn to Beauty . Turn, Lady!—heed no more those sighs that flow To wind in soft seduction round thy breast; Hush the wild throbs that bid thy bosom glow : Hush them!—or farewell innocence and rest. The spotless Maid is like the Rose that blooms * Untouched, unsullied in its native bed ; The pearly dews of morn, the soft perfumes Of western gales their balmy influence shed ; While with delight each youth and damsel views The opening flower to heaven expand its hues. Rut oh ! once cull’d, no breeze around it plays. No youths, no damsels gaze with wistful eyes; Low droops its head, its blushing pride decays. Fades the bright bloom, and all its fragrance dies. * See the beautiful lines in the Carmen Nuptiale of Catullus, and in Ariosto, lib. i. w FROM THE SPANISH. FRANCISCO DE FIGUEROA. Still through the day’s slow lingering hours* With unavailing anguish flow Th ese burning sighs, these endless showers. That speak my tortur’d bosom’s woe. And when the pearly car of Eve In silver radiance rides on high. Still does my breast with sorrow heave. Still starts the tear-drop in mine eye. Or should I lay me down at night. To woo the balmy power of sleep; Thy vision swims before my sight. And e’en in dreams for thee I weep. * *' Paso en fiero dolor Uorando el dia.” 20 And when the golden morn appears. And blushes in th’ ethereal plain. It finds my eyes still bath’d in tears. Still weeping for thy cold disdain. 21 FROM THE GERMAN. K LE 1 ST. Yes —she is gone!—her sorrowing way To distant scenes she now pursues;— ’Twas here upon the parting day She sigh’d, and wept her last adieus. O thou, who through the silent air Dost sail on fragrant pinion by. Say, Zephyr, hast thou seen my fair? And dost thou waft to me her sigh ? And ye, clear streams, as on ye flow. From me the lovely maiden greet; And murmuring, whisper all my woe Whene’er your waters kiss her feet. * See, in the Works of Kleist, vol. I. p. 74 , the Idyl* beginning “ Sie fliehet fort 1 ” n cy O say that since she sped her flight From these sad scenes, so gay before. Nature is robed in saddest night. And wears her wonted charms no more. Oh where does she delight to stray? What plains with her lov’d presence smile? Where does the dance her limbs display ? Where does her voice the hours beguile? Where is the wave whose glassy stream Reflects the beauties of my fair. Her bosom’s swell, her eye’s bright beam. Her tresses floating on the air ? Oh, let me once again but sip The nectar which her kiss bestows. While hovering, breathing on my lip. My soul in speechless rapture glows,— 23 Then to her yielding bosom prest. There pour the faint the murmuring sigh Oh, Fortune, grant this fond request. And then I bow my head to die ! 24 FROM THE FRENCH. 1 PAR NY, Say, Laura,—wilt thou haste with me away. And quit these scenes, where anxious hopes and fears Shadow with sorrow’s hues the livelong day, And bid us waste each night in sighs and tears? Not far, there lies an isle, whose beetling coast Old Ocean circles with his billowy arms; There breathe all sweets the circling year can boast ; There Flora smiles, array’d in all her charms *. O’er the gay meads the murmuring rivulet flows. Where flaunting roses with ananas bloom ; With balmy airs the sky attemper’d glows. And whispering Zephyrs waft their soft perfume. * " Ride Natura in giovenil sembianza, ZeGfo spirtf per continua usanza,” &c. TASSO. / 25 Say — darts thine eye its liquid glance of fire ? — Heaves thy warm bosom to the sighs of Love? — Glows o’er thy cheek the blush of young Desire? — In vain! — for Age and Wisdom here reprove. But there , with pleasure crown’d, and wing’d with joy. The dancing hours their rapid flight shall roll; Gay dreams of future bliss our thoughts employ. And bathe in deep delight th’ entranced soul. Ilaste then, ray fair! — still sleep and tranquil night Hold o’er the earth their undisputed reign ; And see ! the star of Venus lifts her light. And shines reflected in the watery plain. Enchain’d by Eolus, no boisterous gales Shall thwart our voyage by their sullen force ; Soft prosp’ring winds have spread our swelling sails. And Love himself appears, to guide us on our course! ME LI. Ye shadowy forms !—Night’s offspring!—ye that wreathe Your darkening horrors round these forests deep, And in these caves your silent dwelling keep; O that I here, amid your glooms, might breathe Th’expiring sigh!—and when the guilty maid Shall wander where my lowly tomb is laid, O sav that here “ life’s fitful fever o’er,” He, whom her scorn hath kill’d, now finds repose.-— Haply across her cheek some tear may steal; Yet deem not that the tear from Pity flows; For Pity sure that breast can never feel : Her eyes will weep, because there lives no more One who for her with hopeless flames will burn. And mourn with fruitless sighs, and love without return. The Reader will not fail to observe the resemblance between part of the Sonnet of Meli, and of the fourteenth canzone of Petrarch. The original Sicilian will be seen at the end of the volume, which I have transcribed from a copy of the Poems of Meli, furnished to me by the kindness of the Rev. G. Butler, of Sidney College, Cambridge. FROM THE GREEK. O would that I were some soft gale Which fans with perfum’d wing the air. That from thy lips I might inhale Each balmy sweet that lingers there. And drink thy fragrant sighs! And would that I were yon red rose. In vernal pride and radiance drest. That, cull’d by thee, my lively glows Might grace awhile, my fair, thy breast. And veil its snowy charms! This and the following Translations and Imitations are from the Greek Anthologia, and have already appeared in print. Some of the originals were selected to be placed here; but it was my wish to have inserted all of them, had I not been prevented, by want of time, from examining again that numerous collection. 28 FROM THE GREEK. Dear is the blush of vernal morn To him who plows the watery deep. And, o’er the darkling surges borne, Marks the storm’s infuriate sweep :— Dear is the limpid stream to him Who journeys on his toilsome way. And feels each slacken’d nerve and limb Faint beneath the solar ray :— But dearer far, when thy blest power, Love, two souls in bliss has bound; Gladly flows each festive hour With rapture new for ever crown’d. 29 FROM THE GREEK, Again upon the wings of night It stole my slumb’ring senses o’er; That dream that brought my soul’s delight, Whom oft I clasp’d in sleep before. Yet no soft dream, I swear, like this. So bath’d my soul in perfect bliss ; For, oh ! such lovely hues bestowing Fancy ne’er in colours glowing Drew thee, my fair, in all thy charms Imparadis’d in these fond arms:— “ Stay thy fiery steeds, oh stay,” I cried, “ thou envious God of day !” Vain the prayer; and with the night Fled each vision of delight. Yet oft I thank thee, God of love. That e’en in dreams such bliss I prove; That thus I feel my gladden’d soul Burn with desire that mocks controul, Whene’er in sleep my fancy warm Pictures, my fair, thy radiant form. And glowing through each thrilling vein Fires my love-bewilder’d brain. 30 FROM THE SPANISH. LOPE DE VEGA. Still must I feel my soul (list,rest. Still racked with jealous fear;—. Though sleep death’s image he contest. Yet dreams. I’m sure, have oft exprest The things that on life’s stage appear. I thought I saw thee yield thy charms. When last I sunk to rest. To some blest rival’s happier arms. And saw thee glow with love’s alarms. While maddening passion fired my breast. Too like, alas! to dreams I find The joy and bliss I know; Yet dreams themselves ne’er leave behind Or joy or bliss to cheer my mind. Or bid my heart its griefs forego. Imitated from the first part of the verses in the Arcadia of Lope de Vega, which begin “ O burlas de Amor ingrato.” 31 FROM THE GREEK. Once I know, in maddening hour, I own’d your beauty’s magic power. And prais’d those eyes of liquid blue. Those lips which shamed the morning’s hue. The golden locks whose wavy flow Shaded those rising hills of snow. You each ardent wish repress’d; You continued still reproving; Still I wooed and still was loving. Still to you the sigh address’d. Now, alas! what changes rise ! Mark, each grace, each beauty flies! Time, your cruel foe, at last Grants me vengeance for the past ; Youth no more that eye illumes; Age has brought its joyless glooms. Cease! those lures to spread forbear! Vain that studied dress and care. Others tempt: I’m not of those Who seek the thorn, and leave the rose. 32 V FROM THE GREEK. Yes, still for thee my heart will beat. Still throb with love’s alarms: Still glows my passion’s earliest heat For thee and all thy charms. What though some years have now flown by Since first I sigh’d for thee, I still for thee will heave the sigh. And swear none loves like me. Years have not dared that eve to dim Which beams its wonted fires; Each shape, each feature, and each limb Its wonted grace respires. The roses on thy lips are still. And still with nectar-dew Thy kisses fraught my bosom thrill. And each fond wish renew. 33 If now, thy life's meridian gone. Such beauty still be thine, O guess, when its first morning shone. What joy and love were mine! t 34 FROM THE GREEK. O bid those golden tresses flow Unbraided down thy neck of snow, Nor dare to mar the lovely glow Thy vermeil cheeks adorning. What need of art? Those eyes of blue. Those lips like roses bath’d in dew. And all the host of charms I view, Small aid from Art require. And mark the flowers in yonder vale. That fling their fragrance to the gale. And each perfume and scent exhale. Wooing the gentle Zephyr.-— How lovelier far those hues so bright That deck thy form in beauty’s light. That form which haunts from dawn to night My mind in Fancy’s visions ! 35 Thy girdle. Queen of soft desire. Say—could it wake such pleasing fire; Such joy, such hope, and love inspire, As thrill this beating bosom ? Ah no! — thy power were nought to this . That lip which prompts the glowing kiss. That voice which whispers future bliss. Outvie thy girdle’s magic. For these my blood runs mantling high. And quickening spirits glad mine eye; For these oft bursts th’ unbidden sigh. Oft glows the thought enamour’d. Yet no despondent murmurs rise. While hope in those love-beaming eyes. Couch’d in soft slumber, smiling lies, Each anxious moment cheering. 30 FROM THE GREEK. O say, what mean those frequent sighs? Why heaves, my fair, thy sorrowing breast? Why on each lovely feature rest Dark clouds of grief, and dim those eyes With showers of sorrow streaming ? O tell me all!—To soothe thy mind. Friendship its aid shall soon impart. Bid joy again illume thy heart. With balmy hands thy wounds shall bind. Each dimpled smile recalling. Say, do I ken aright ? — The youth Who oft, caressing and caress’d. Upon thy lips the kiss impress’d. And swore the vows of love and truth. The sigh impassion’d heaving,.. . 37 Say., hast thou seen his circling arms. While rapture bade his bosom glow. And joy’s high current maddening flow. Clasp to his heart some fair one’s charms. Thy long-lov’d form unheeding? No answer?.... Yet too well I guess Thy grief; and well thy eyes reveal And tell, what thou wouldst fain conceal, What jealous pangs thy heart oppress. Each tortur’d sense inflaming. 38 FROM THE GREEK. — Still I mark those scornful eyes; Each fond wish you still reprove; Yet that throbbing breast, those sighs. Tears, and looks, too well reveal What you feel. Though you still deny you love. Hear, O God of young desires! Your dread shafts oh bid her prove! Bid her glow with all your fires. Till her lips this truth reveal,— “ Now I feel. Now I know what Tis to love l” 39 FROM THE GREEK. ON A PICTURE OF SAPPHO. Yes, sure ’twas Nature’s self who drew That mien, those features which I yiew. Who thus pourtrayed the Lesbian’s form I mark her eyes, that seem to rove Full-fraught with fancy and with love. And sparkling, glow with passion warm I mark around her shape and air What graces play and hover there :— How well the pencil’s power has traced The genius of the heaven-born Muse, And all the charms and roseate hues That e’er the Queen of beauty graced ! “ Mutat via longa puellas.” PROP, Yes, while I linger far away. Remembrance oft shall soothe my mind. And paint with glowing hues the day When first I saw thee fair and kind. How oft I’ll think upon that hour. When first thy looks and eyes confest Each secret wish, and own’d Love’s power Had fann’d the flame within thy breast! Yet, once before we part, once more From thy ripe lips one kiss bestow. And bid me feel, as oft before. My heart with kindling rapture glow. And O forgive the jealous fear. While far away from thee I rove. And anxious pour the bitter tear. And think on all our former love; 41 Let no fond youth with siren strain Entice and lure thy heart from me; And nought, I swear, shall break the chain Which binds my willing soul to thee ! Then give again that kiss, my fair. Affection's surest tenderest seal, And I will chase each rising care. And hush each jealous doubt I feel. 0 42 FROM THE ITALIAN. As, Venus, late you miss’d your boy. And anxious sought where he had stray’d, ff One kiss,” you cried. I’ll give with joy To him who knows where Cupid’s laid.” Give me the kiss;—for see he lies In the dark heaven of Rosa’s eyes; Or bid my Rosa’s lips bestow The kiss, and yours I will forego. 43 THE ZEPHYR. Fraught with the nectar’d sweets of early spring, Mark where the Zephyr speeds his destined way. And seeks, upborne aloft on balmy wing. Each flower that glitters in the morning's ray. Onward he hastes; and views, with glad delight, Where, gemm’d with dew, the blushing roses bloom; There lingering, checks awhile his eager flight. And sighing he inhales the soft perfume.— Still as he flies, the fragrance which he sips He breathes around, and scatters through the air; Till fix’d at length, he rests on Julia’s lips. And, mingling with each tender accent there. Sighs with the sigh which from her bosom flows, And scents with balmy dew the kisses she bestows. 44 FROM THE ITALIAN. • __ PETRARCH*. To, qui lapillis leniter obstrepens, Hos, rive, campos fontibus irrigas; Lymphae loquaces, queis calore Fessa fovet sua membra Laura; Dulces recessus, queis volucrum melos, Aurae Favoni queis tenerae vigent; Yosque arborum lenes susurri Murmur aquae prope defluentis. Lacusque et herbae, vos quoque roscidi Flores, et omnis copia narium,. . . Audite, quos vates supremo Triste gemens ciet ore questus. Vos rite testor, vos quia conscia Nostri doloris ; — scilicet hie mihi Me surpuit primum puella; Hie docui resonare lucum * From the canzone beginning “ Chiare, fresche, e dolci acque,” 45 Tristes querelas: o, utinam mihi. Cum mortis almus composuit sopor, Contingat, ut molli sub umbra Hie cineres tegat urna nostros ! Mox ipsa gressus diriget hue suos Laura, et silenti dum pede prseterit, Heu debita sparget favillam Lacrymula juvenis sepulti. Si ab amicorum arbitrio res staret, carmina quaedam Grace conscripta, quae publici juris modo facta sunt, una cum prolusionibus nonnullis, quas, dum Academia: degerem, chartulis meis illeveram, iterum prelo subjicerentur. Hoc autem ne fiat, plurima in causa sunt. Ut iis, quibus aurium judicium superbissimum, ex omni parte satisfactum sit, nihil in lucem proferri debeat, nisi quod saepe sub acumen styli subierit; nihil nisi quod saepe incudi redditum, summaque industria elaboratum fuerit. Jam vero, quantum temporis sibi in rebus humanis voluptas, desidia, nugae, ineptiaeque, et alia, quibus ingenii mentisque acies hebescit, vindicare soleant, referre piget. Pra- terea, quantum otii mihi adsit, id omne in opere ad umbilicum perducendo, quod e re litteraria, uti spero, magis erit, impendere statui. Denique, quis non Dawesii verborum meminit, quibus sententiam de Graeca Miltoniani loci versione sua ingenue admodum exposuit > “Hanc solaecisniis scatere comperij quod infortunium in caeteros itidem quosque, qui a seculis recentioribus Graece scribere tentarunt, cadere dicendum est.” From the Poesie Siciliane dell’ Abate Meli. Umbri, figghi a la Notti, chi abitannu Stati hitra Grutti, eel orridi Foresti, Deh! chi l’estremu miu Spiritu resti A chianciri cu vui lu propriu dannu; Si mai cca junci, accasu caminanu, Chidda, chi Palma di Riguri vesti. In flebili lamenti, e vuci mesti Diciticci ; muriu, muriu d’affannu. IFun hnutili lagrima si forsi -Bagna la fridda cinniri, 5 un spirati, Chi sia cumpassioni di cui morsi. E strania hitra ddu cori la pietati • E si chianci, n’e causa, chi s’accorsi, Chi mortu iu, nun c’ 6 chiu, cui pr’ Idda pati.