Alfin vid'io per entro i fiori et l'erba
pensosa ir sí leggiadra et bella donna,
che mai nol penso ch'i' non arda et treme:
humile in sé, ma 'ncontra Amor superba;
et avea indosso sí candida gonna,
sí texta, ch'oro et neve parea inseme;
ma le parti supreme
eran avolte d'una nebbia oscura:
punta poi nel tallon d'un picciol angue,
come fior colto langue,
lieta si dipartio, nonché secura.
Ahi, nulla, altro che pianto, al mondo dura!
Canzon, tu puoi ben dire:
- Queste sei visioni al signor mio
àn fatto un dolce di morir desio.
English translation
Lastly I saw a lovely graceful lady
go pensive among the flowers and grass,
so I can’t think of her without burning, trembling:
humble in herself, she was proud before Love:
and she had on so white a gown,
so woven it seemed gold mixed with snow:
but the crown of her head
was hidden by a dark mist:
then, stung by a little snake in the heel,
she bowed like a flower when picked,
glad and confident to depart.
Ah, nothing but weeping lasts in this world!
Song, you might well say:
‘These visions have given
my lord a sweet desire to die.’