Esther M. Zimmer Lederberg: Giacomo da Lentini Canzoni III

I hope for recompense
From you, my lady, whom I'm not
Displeased to serve;
Although you treat me haughtily

I still hope to attain
Full Joy of love.
I have not given up,
Although your arrogance

Makes me less confident:
For often I have seen, as is well known,
A man of modest means

Attain a lofy rank,
If he improves his worth
By multiplying what he has acquired.

I shall not give up hope,
For I myself intend
To have success;
My loyalty toward you

Is genuine, and hope
Will nurture me.
So I am not dismayed
By Love who's seized me fast,

For I intend to do
Precisely what they say a savage does:
When skies are grim he laughs,

Hoping that the gloom
He sees will fade away;
From one who's very cruel I hope for peace.

If I keep seeking joy through hope,
My perfect love, may mercy
Move your heart.
My perfect lady, don't be cruel.

Since so much loveliness
Is found in you:
For she who's beautiful
But lacks all sympathy

Is like a man of wealth
Who's parsimonious with what he has;
If he is not well-bred,

Refined and well-informed,
He'll be reproached by all,
Reviled, despised, and put in dire straits.

Esther M. Zimmer Lederberg Giacomo da Lentini Canzoni III

Esther M. Zimmer Lederberg
Giacomo da Lentini Canzoni III