Love is a desire… (translated)
A sonnet by Giacomo da Lentini
translation © Luigi Pagano 2021
Giacomo da Lentini – Love is a desire that comes from the heart
Love is a desire that comes from the heart
which stems from a yen for enjoyment.
Firstly the eyes act as Cupid’s dart
then the heart gives ardour nourishment.
Sometimes the object of love is unseen
but what is obvious and makes sense
is that once the beloved is seen
it will render the passion more intense.
The heart will be informed by the eyes
of what they see, whether good or bad,
of the natural make-up of each one.
From all this the heart can surmise
that love is king, and it is glad
that it is within the reach of everyone.
Giacomo da Lentini – Amor è un desìo che ven da’ core
Amore è uno desio che ven da’ core
per abondanza di gran piacimento;
e li occhi in prima generan l’amore
e lo core li dà nutricamento.
Ben è alcuna fiata om amatore
senza vedere so ’namoramento,
ma quell’amor che stringe con furore
da la vista de li occhi ha nascimento:
ché li occhi rapresentan a lo core
d’onni cosa che veden bono e rio
com’è formata naturalemente;
e lo cor, che di zo è concepitore,
imagina, e li piace quel desio:
e questo amore regna fra la gente.
Bravo! Love is everywhere and the greatest blessing. It can lift us up from the depths of despair and it does make the world go round.
Italian is a language made for love. It is so expressive. My mother learnt to speak a bit but I am not able haha.
Alison x
I utterly concur, Alison.
As far as Italian is concerned, there is still time to learn, would you like private tuition?
I’m with Alison on Italian as the language of love; I would think simply ordering a coffee would (to our ears) sound romantic! One question Luigi; your ‘translation’ is very lyrical, and has a definite rhythm in English – it does rhyme in places; the overall effect is most pleasing. But would a literal word for word translation be the same? Or do you adapt it into an English form to convey the lyrical quality, while yet retaining the meaning? Excuse me if this reads a bit confusing – its just something that I would like to learn about.
Dougie
Hi Dougie. It would well nigh impossible to translate poetry word for word. My aim is to find suitable rhymes that retain the original meaning. You say that this poem “‘does rhyme in places”. I have to correct you here: it rhymes in all the right places according to this rhyming pattern: ABAB CDCD EFG EFG while In my other translation “‘You, whose eyes search my heart.” I have changed the pattern of the first two quatrains to ABBA CDDC. Both approaches are a departure from the classic Petrarchan sonnet. Hope I have clarified how I dealt with my objective.… Read more »
Thanks Luigi; and of course it rhymes in all the right places – and ‘in the right order’; my ignorance has the advantage that it can only be improved.
Haha, it reminds me of the famous Morecambe and Wise sketch with Mr. “Preview”. It is only natural to raise queries when something is not obvious, Dougie. I am an ignoramus par excellence but I don’t hesitate to ask questions when in the dark about unknown facts.
Have you read my other translation? I’d like to hear your views.
Cheers, Luigi.
Yes, just read it; fabulisomo!! ( I learnt Italian from Lucia and Georgie!). and glad you smoked the Mr Preview reference.
Nice to hear from someone who knows my language. You have the advantage of understanding my efforts and appraise accordingly.
Luigi, everyone has beaten me to it. All I can add is my personal appreciation of your poetic (and translation) skills. On the subject matter: Isn’t love fascinating? A universal magnet that not only attracts lovers, but I would say is the cohesive energy of the Universe.
Regards, Allen
Hello Allen, your response is welcome at all times. I remarked earlier on the difficulty of keeping pace with the increasing number of good submissions. I am just as guilty of being behind with reading and commenting.
You are correct in saying that love is the essence of the Universe, an ideal that many Romantic poets, whom I greatly admire, have used extensively.
I am quite satisfied with this translation although it is more liberal than literal and I am grateful for your appreciation.
Best, Luigi.
Luigi,
Love indeed is king, and available to all, if only they opened themselves to it. Oh could but the world take heed. Your skills to the fore again in this translation.
bhi
Thank you kindly, Bhi. Much appreciated.