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She

Then neither morn nor eve

I too have precious coins

thou willest I should rest;

piled high in a great chest :

Could'st thou give me for dower

the richest and the best,

Twice over Saladin's vast hoard of gold,

I vow to-day this hand thou should'st not hold !

He

I've known full many a maid

and obstinate no doubt,

her strength must needs give out.

But man by flattery may wheedle her about ;

He presseth her so close

Love, bear in mind against a future day,

Man is the stronger and will have his way!

She

Art fain that I relent?

Or e'er a modest maid

Last evening hitherwards

Nay, better 'twere to die

be scorned by such as I!

I saw thy footsteps fly :

This is my answer, flatterer, know withal
Such words from thee belike me not at all!

He

Alas, how many bonds

I weep remembering thee

No lady in my life

hast cast about my heart!
in loneliness apart!

was cherished as thou art,

Was half as well-beloved, O rose divine,
And I believe one day thou wilt be mine.

She

down-fallen were my pride,

If it so came to pass,
That to enhance thy fame

my beauty should abide !
before this could betide,

Indeed I'd shave my head
And to the shelter of a convent flee,
From thy unwelcome wooing to be free.

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con teco stao la sera e lo maitino,

besogn' è ch' io ti tenga al meo dimino.

Ella

Oimè, tapina misera,

Gieso Cristo l' altissimo,

conciepistimi ad abattare

com'ao reo destinato !

del toto m' è airato,

in omo blestiemato!

Cierca la terra, ch' este granne assai, chiù bella donna di me troverai.

Lui

Ciercat' aio Calabria, Puglia, Costantinopoli, la Magna e Babilonia,

Toscana e Lombardia,

Gienoa, Pisa, Soria,

e tutta Barbería :

donna non trovai tanto cortese, per che sovrana di meve te prese.

Ella

Poi tanto trabagliastiti che tu vadi, adomandimi

se dare mi ti degnano

fàcioti meo pregheri,

a mia mare e a mon peri ; menami a lo mosteri,

e sposami davanti dala iente,
e poi farò le tuo' comannamente!

He

If thou to be a nun,

proud maid, didst flee away,

Thy convent I would find,
To win so fair a boon

and where I was I'd stay ;

right gladly would I pay :

I'd be there at the dawn and twilight hour,
Until at last I had thee in my power.

She

Alas, most hapless maid,
Dear Saviour Jesus Christ,
Silence this man, I pray,

destined to suffer wrong!

to Whom my hopes belong, he doth blaspheme too long!

Let him go seeking through the world so wide,
He'll find a lovelier lady for his bride.

He

Calabria, Lombardy

Constantinople, Rome,
Babylon, Barbary,

and Tuscany all through,

Pisa and Genoa too,

I've searched and searched anew,

But found no woman lovely as thou art,
Dearest and sovereign lady of my heart.

She

Since thou dost love me so

Go ask me, love, of both

I need no more repine, mother and father mine;

If they thereto agree lay thou my hand in thine,
Then in the abbey take me soon to wife,

And I will do thy bidding all my life!

FEDERIGO II, 1194-1250

or ch'a voi piace, amore, farò onne mia possanza Dato aggio lo meo core

e tutta mia speranza

e no mi partiraggio

ch' eo deggia trovare, ch' io vegna a compimento! in voi, madonna, amare, in vostro piacimento !

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.

e

di sì amoroso bene, ch' ancora deggio avere tutta la mia spene :

S'io inchino, ragion aggio chè spero, e vo sperando allegro meo coraggio fui dato in voi amando, e veggio li sembianti che aspetto gioia intera.

ed in vostro volere ;

di voi, chiarita spera,

Ed ho fidanza che lo mio servire

aggia a piacere a voi, che siete fiore

sor l' altre donne, e avete più valore.

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Allegrare

mi posso, donna mia,

più conto mi ne tegno tuttavia.

that I should find a tune, to fashion one right soon! my heart's true love is given,

FREDERICK II, 1194-1250
INCE, love, 'tis thy desire
Certes I will aspire
Madonna, unto thee
And for thy pleasure, see,
Madonna, I from thee

I love thee tenderly,

O apprehend my heart!

my every hope hath striven! will never more depart.

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, to hope that very soon renewed, my hope as well: into thy power fell;

And I am tempted now
My jocund courage be
Lo, I in loving thee,
Thy face is in my sight
Wherein I seek delight,
Trusting my service here

like to a shining sphere

Be pleasing unto thee who art the flower
Among all women and hast richest dower.

Than others rarer far,
No men on earth there are
Thou art so passing fair;
Can match thee anywhere,
Nor can her wit compare
Light heart consoled I bear
Because of thy kind mien.

more virtuous as well;

who can appraise thy spell, no woman, nay, trust me,

whatever her degree, with thine, O lady queen.

Madonna, though to gladness I am fain
Yet wiser he who doth his mirth restrain.

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