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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. 136-137, 354.
[For purists, the Italian text of the poems follows the English translation.]
GIOVANNI GUIDICCIONI, 1500-1541
Notes and translation by Lorna de’ Lucchi
[351]
Biographical Note
GIOVANNI GUIDICCIONI, born at Lucca; studied at Bologna, Padua, and Ferrara; canon of Lucca Cathedral; Governor of Rome; Bishop of Fossombrone; Papal Nuncio to Spain; Governor of the Romagna; died at Macerata. He wrote letters, verse, and a noble oration to the Republic of Lucca. He imitates Petrarch in his lyrics.
Poem
[137]
GIOVANNI GUIDICCIONI, 1500-1541
Sonetto
O THOU most worthy mother of the great
Who in more fortunate days possessed the earth,
Alas, how tearful now, how desolate,
Who was before the Gods’ fond haven of mirth !
How can I bear to hear the piteous sound
Of thy complaint, to see the mighty sway
Of thy vast empire humbled to the ground,
Thy pomp and virtues marred, without dismay?
But, though enslaved, such majesty dost wear,
And in my heart so sweetly rings thy name,
Adoringly to thy poor spoils I bow;
What then of him who saw thee in thy fame,
Proud, honoured queen, with golden crown set fair
Upon thy ancient and all-glorious brow?
[136]
GIOVANNI GUIDICCIONI, 1500-1541
Sonetto
DEGNA nutrice de le chiare genti
ch’ ai dì men foschi trionfâr del mondo
albergo già di dei fido e giocondo,
or di lagrime triste e di lamenti;
come posso udir io le tue dolenti
voci, o mirar senza dolor profondo
il summo imperio tuo caduto al fondo,
tante tue pompe e tanti pregi spenti?
Tal, così ancella, maestà riserbi,
e sì dentro al mio cor suona il tuo nome,
ch’ i tuoi sparsi vestigi inchino e adoro.
Che fu a vederti in tanti onor superbi,
seder reina, e’ ncoronate d’ oro
le glorïose e venerabil chiome?
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