Other composers who set this text include Salvatore Di Cataldo (1559) and Francesco Ricciardo (1600).
Text and translations
Italian text
Le donne, i cavallier, l'arme, gli amori,
le cortesie, l'audaci imprese io canto,
che furo al tempo che passaro i Mori
d'Africa il mare, e in Francia nocquer tanto,
seguendo l'ire e i giovenil furori
d'Agramante lor re, che si die vanto
di vendicar la morte di Troiano
sopra re Carlo imperator romano.
Translation by John Harrington (1560-1612)
English translation
Of Dames, of Knights, of arms, of loues delight,
Of curtesies, of high attempts I speake,
Then when the Moores transported all their might
On Affrick seas the force of France to breake:
Drowne by the youthfull heate and raging spite,
Of Agramant their king that vowd to wreake,
The death of king Trayano (lately slayne)
Upon the Romane Emperor Charlemaine.
OF LOVES and LADIES, KNIGHTS and ARMS, I sing,
Of COURTESIES, and many a DARING FEAT;
And from those ancient days my story bring,
When Moors from Afric passed in hostile fleet,
And ravaged France, with Agramant their king,
Flushed with his youthful rage and furious heat,
Who on king Charles', the Roman emperor's head
Had vowed due vengeance for Troyano dead.
English translation
Italian text