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From An Anthology of Italian Poems 13th-19th Century selected and translated by Lorna de’ Lucchi, Alfred A. Knopf, New York; 1922; pp. 138-139, 354.


[For purists, the Italian text of the poems follows the English translation.]



GIOVANNI DELLA CASA, 1503-1556

Notes and translation by Lorna de’ Lucchi


[354]

Biographical Note

GIOVANNI DELLA CASA, born at Florence; studied at Bologna, lived in Rome and Florence; Archbishop of Benevento; Papal Nuncio to Venice; died in Rome. He wrote Rime, Capitoli, a Life of the Poet Bembo, and Il Galateo. His lyrics were much admired by his contemporaries on account of their robust style and their variety of rhythms.



Poems


[138]

GIOVANNI DELLA CASA, 1503-1556

Sonetto

O SLEEP, of the quiet night of dusk and dew
The placid son, O thou who dost relieve
Man’s bitter load of suffering and endue
With merciful oblivion those who grieve,
Rescue this heart that faints yet cannot rest,
Uplift these frail, out-wearied limbs! O Sleep,
Spread wide thy sombre pinions o’er this breast,
And for a little while thy vigil keep !
   Where is the silence that puts day to flight?
Where the soft dreams that used to follow thee
With faltering footsteps? O unhappy plight !
In vain, in vain I call, in vain to me
Would lure these dim and gelid shades; O bed
Of misery, O cruel nights and dread !







[For a funny poem by Della Casa on this site, go HERE. — Elf.Ed.]










[138]

GIOVANNI DELLA CASA, 1503-1556

Sonetto I


O SONNO. o della quieta, umida, ombrosa
notte placido figlio; o de’ mortali
egri conforto, oblio dolce de’ mali
sì gravi, ond’ è la vita aspra e noiosa;
socorri al core omai, che langue e posa
non have; e queste membra stanche e frali
solleva: a me ten vola, o sonno, e l’ ali
tue brune sovra me distendi e posa !
   Ov’ è ’l silenzio, che ’l dì fugge e ’l lume?
e i lievi sogni, che con non secure
vestigia di seguirti han per costume?
lasso ! chè ’nvan te chiamo, e queste oscure
e gelide ombre invan lusingo. O piume
d’ asprezze colme ! o notti acerbe e dure !





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