O passi sparsi, o pensier' vaghi et pronti,
o tenace memoria, o fero ardore,
o possente desire, o debil core,
o occhi miei, occhi non già, ma fonti!
O fronde, honor de le famose fronti,
o sola insegna al gemino valore!
O faticosa vita, o dolce errore,
che mi fate ir cercando piagge et monti!
O bel viso ove Amor insieme pose
gli sproni e 'l fren ond'el mi punge et volve,
come a lui piace, et calcitrar non vale!
O anime gentili et amorose,
s'alcuna ha'l mondo, et voi nude ombre et polve,
deh restate a veder quale è 'l mio male.
Canzoniere 161
English translation
O wandering steps, O swift and errant thoughts,
O fixed memory, O wild ardour,
O powerful desire, O weakened heart,
O eyes of mine, not eyes now, but fountains!
O leaves, that honour famous brows,
O one sole emblem of double worth!
O weary life, O sweet error,
that makes me go searching plains and hills!
O lovely face where Love has set together
the reins and spurs that make me twist and turn,
at pleasure: and no use to kick against them!
O gentle loving spirits, if there are
any in this world, and you, naked dust and shadows,
pause and see the nature of my ills.
Italian text
English translation