I' mi vivea di mia sorte contento,
senza lagrime et senza invidia alcuna,
che, s'altro amante à piú destra fortuna,
mille piacer' non vaglion un tormento.
Or quei belli occhi ond'io mai non mi pento
de le mie pene, et men non ne voglio una,
tal nebbia copre, sí gravosa et bruna,
che 'l sol de la mia vita à quasi spento.
O Natura, pietosa et fera madre,
onde tal possa et sí contrarie voglie
di far cose et disfar tanto leggiadre?
D'un vivo fonte ogni poder s'accoglie:
ma Tu come 'l consenti, o sommo Padre,
che del Tuo caro dono altri ne spoglie?
Canzoniere 231
English translation
I had lived contented with my fate,
without tears, not envying anyone,
since if any lover had better fortune,
his thousand joys were not worth my torment.
Now, the lovely eyes of which I never will
regret the pain, and wish not one pain less,
are misted over, so heavily, so darkly,
that my life’s sun is almost quenched.
O Nature, merciful and savage mother,
how can you will such contrary things
to create and then un-create so lightly?
All power flows from one living fountain:
and how can You consent, O heavenly Father,
to another spoiling your beloved gift?
Italian text
English translation