Vivo in guerra mendico e son dolente,
Senza lei ch’è mia pace e mio tesoro,
E ne miei gravi affanni altro ristoro,
Che gl’inganni d’Amor non hà la mente.
S'io miro in bel giardin rosa ridente,
Se bianco avorio ò ricca perla d'oro,
L’amo e sospiro, e dico ella ch’honoro,
Tal’ hà'l sen, tal’ hà'l crin vago e lucente.
E gl’occhi al cielo, e à lei fissando il core,
Mentre rimiro il Sol l’alba novella
Godo, quasi in ritratto il mio splendore.
Poi la sera l’adoro in qualche stella,
La qual raggio tra l’altre habbia maggiore:
Hor chi mai vide de idolatria più bella?
English translation
I live as a beggar in a war and feel in pain,
Without her, who is my peace and my treasure,
In my deep trobles my mind
Has no other relief than Love's tricks.
If in a garden I watch a shiny rose,
If I have white ivory or rich golden pearl,
I love it and sigh, and say: "She, whom I honour,
As such has bosom, as such has soft and shiny hair."
If I cast my look at the sky, I watch her heart,
While I gaze the Sun at the new dawn
I almost enjoy my love's portrait.
Then at night I adore her in some star,
That amongst the others has better rays:
Now, who ever saw a better idolatry?