To His Mistress In Absence by Torquato Tasso

FAR from thy dearest self, the scope Of all my aims, I waste in secret flames; And only live because I hope. O when will Fate restore The joys, in whose bright fire My expectation shall expire, That I may live because I hope no more! ————— The End And that’s the End of the […]

“What weeping, or what dewfall,” by Torquato Tasso

What weeping, or what dewfall, Whose then were those tears, Flung from night’s cloak, I saw, And the white face of the stars? Why was the white moon sowing A pure cloud’s crystal mass In the lap of fresh new grass? Why were the winds heard, blowing, Through the dark air, round and round, Till […]

“Life of my life, you seem to me” by Torquato Tasso

Life of my life, you seem to me Like some pallid olive tree Or the faded rose I see: Nor do you lack beauty, But pleasing in every way to me, In shyness or in flattery, Whether you follow me or flee, Consume, destroy me softly. ————— The End And that’s the End of the […]

Jerusalem Delivered – Book 06 – part 03 by Torquato Tasso

XXIX This youth was one of those, who late desired With that vain-glorious boaster to have fought, But Tancred chosen, he and all retired; Now when his slackness he awhile admired, And saw elsewhere employed was his thought, Nor that to just, though chosen, once he proffered, He boldly took that fit occasion offered. XXX […]

Jerusalem Delivered – Book 03 – part 05 by Torquato Tasso

LXI “Presages, ah too true:” with that a space He sighed for grief, then said, “Fain would I know The man in red, with such a knightly grace, A worthy lord he seemeth by his show, How like to Godfrey looks he in the face, How like in person! but some-deal more low.” “Baldwin,” quoth […]

Jerusalem Delivered – Book 03 – part 04 by Torquato Tasso

XLVI Three times he strove to view Heaven’s golden ray, And raised him on his feeble elbow thrice, And thrice he tumbled on the lowly lay, And three times closed again his dying eyes, He speaks no word, yet makes his signs to pray; He sighs, he faints, he groans, and then he dies; Argantes […]

Jerusalem Delivered – Book 02 – part 01 by Torquato Tasso

THE ARGUMENT. Ismeno conjures, but his charms are vain; Aladine will kill the Christians in his ire: Sophronia and Olindo would be slain To save the rest, the King grants their desire; Clorinda hears their fact and fortunes plain, Their pardon gets and keeps them from the fire: Argantes, when Aletes’ speeches are Despised, defies […]

Ecco Mormorar L’onde (Now The Waves Murmur) by Torquato Tasso

Ecco mormorar l’onde, E tremolar le fronde A l’aura mattutina, e gli arboscelli, E sovra i verdi rami i vaghi augelli Cantar soavemente, E rider l’Oriente; Ecco già l’alba appare, E si specchia nel mare, E rasserena il cielo, E le campagne imperla il dolce gelo, E gli alti monti indora: O bella e vaga […]