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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. 10-11, 347.
[For purists, the Italian text of the poem follows the English translation.]
FREDERICK II., (1194-1250)
Notes and translation by Lorna de’ Lucchi
351
Biographical Note
FREDERICK II., OF SOUABIA (Hohenstaufen), Holy Roman Emperor; son of Henry VI. and Constance of Sicily, born at Jesi, near Ancona; succeeded his father to the throne of Naples and Sicily in 1212, and on the excommunication of Otto IV. was elected Emperor; was at constant strife with the Papacy; an enlightened patron of science and of art; called by Dante “cherico grande” (learned scholar); scholars, players, troubadours, and story-tellers of all nationalities flocked to his court; he founded the University of Naples; died at Ferentino, near Foggia.
Poem
11
FREDERICK II. (1194-1250)
Canzone
SINCE, love, ’tis thy desire that I should find a tune,
Certes I will aspire to fashion one right soon!
Madonna, unto thee my heart’s true love is given,
And for thy pleasure, see, my every hope hath striven!
Madaonna, I from thee will never more depart.
I love thee tenderyly,
O apprehend my heart!
Madonna sweet, give virtue unto me,
And let this heart of mine be bowed to thee!
’Tis fitting I should bow before so fond a boon,
And I am tempted now to hope that very soon
My jocund courage be renewed, my hope as well:
Lo, I in loving thee, into thy power fell;
Thy face is in my sight like to a shining sphere
Wherein I seek delight,
Trusting my service here
Be pleasing unto thee who art the flower
Among all women and hast richest dower.
Than others rarer far, more virtuous as well;
No men on earth there are who can appraise thy spell,
Thou art so passing fair; no woman, nay, trust me,
Can match thee anywhere, whatever her degree,
Nor can her wit compare with thine, O lady queen.
Light heart consoled I bear
Because of thy kind mien.
Madonna, though to gladness I am fain
Yet wiser he who doth his mirth restrain.
10
FREDERICK II. (1194-1250)
Canzone
POI ch’ a voi piace, amore, ch’ eo deggia trovare,
farò onne mia possanza ch’ io vegna a compimento!
Dato aggio lo meo core in voi, madonna, amare,
e tutta mia speranza in vostro piacimento!
e no mi partiraggio da voi, donna valente,
ch’eo v’ amo dolcemente,
e piace a voi ch’ eo aggia intendimento!
Valimento mi date, donna fina,
che lo mio core ad esso voi s’ inchina.
S’ io inchino, ragion aggio di sì amoroso bene,
chè spero, e vo sperando ch’ ancora deggio avere
allegro meo coraggio e tutta la mia spene:
fui dato in voi amando, ed in vostro volere;
e veggio li sembianti di voi, chiarita spera,
che aspetto gioia intera.
Ed ho fidanza che lo mio servire
aggia a piacere a voi, che siete fiore
sor l’ altre donne, e avete più valore.
Valor sor l’ altre avete, e tutta caunoscenza;
null’ homo non poría vostro pregio contare,
di tanto bella sete, secondo mia credenza,
non è donna che sia alta, sì bella, e pare,
nè ch’ aggia insegnamento di voi, donna sovrana.
La vostra cera umana
mi dà conforto, e fecemi allegrare.
Allegrare mi posso, donna mia,
più conto mi ne tegno tuttavia.
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