La verginella è simile alla rosa

General information

Lyricist: Ludovico Ariosto from Orlando furioso, canto I ottava 42

Settings by composers

William Byrd SATTB Baldassare Donato SAAB Andrea Gabrieli ATB Giovanni Battista Mosto SATTB

Marco Antonio de Pordenon SATTB Vincenzo Ruffo SAAAT Francesco Viola SATB Giaches de Wert SAAAT

See also Byrd's setting of this in English at The fair young virgin

Text and translations

Italian text La verginella è simile alla rosa, ch’in bel giardin su la nativa spina mentre sola e sicura si riposa, né gregge né pastor se le avicina; l’aura soave e l’alba rugiadosa, l’acqua, la terra al suo favor s’inchina: gioveni vaghi e donne inamorate amano averne e seni e tempie ornate.

English translation The virgin has her image in the rose Sheltered in garden on its native stock, Which there in solitude and safe repose, Blooms unapproached by sheperd or by flock. For this earth teems, and freshening water flows, And breeze and dewy dawn their sweets unlock: With such the wistful youth his bosom dresses. With such the enamored damsel braids her tresses. Translation by William Stewart Rose