Firstpublished:1505 in Frottole libro 2 (Petrucci, Venice), no. 15 Description: A Frottola
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Original text and translations
Italian text
Occhi mei al pianger nati
Per mirar tanta bellezza
Occhi pieni de dolceza
Che solea servi beati
Occhi mei al pianger nati
Per mirar tanta bellezza
Occhi mei al mirar vaghi
sol coller che ve da morte
occhi hormai fati doi laghi
incambiar la vostra forte
occhi al mal mia fida morte
al mio ben cotanti ingrati
Occhi mei afflicti e lassi
occhi privi de splendore
refranate hor stanchi passi
strachi gia in seguir amore
e con pianto el miser come
drieto a morte seguitati
Occhi molli anzi doi fiumi
dacqua un mar she si confonde
hor chel ciel muta costumi
e chel sol ve si nasconde
finche luce ve risponde
vostra sorte lachrimati
English translation
My eyes were born to weep,
As they gaze upon such beauty.
Eyes that used to be full of sweetness,
That used give grace to the blissful servant.
Mine eyes were born to weep,
As they gaze upon such beauty.
Mine eyes now only gaze upon
Anger that brings death.
My eyes now are two lakes.
You have changed your eyes that gave strength,
to Eyes that do ill, that trust me into death.
She who was good now have become very ungrateful.
My eyes are afflicted and weak,
My eyes are deprived of splendour,
Wearied now are my steps.
Already they are weary in following love:
With tears I, wretched,
Is drawn to follow death,
Soft eyes, truly made of rivers,
filled with the waters of the sea,
As the heavens have changed their customs,
And the sun hides from me.
Long the light responded to me.
Now my fate is made of sorrow.
Italian text
English translation