by Francesco Petrarca (1304 - 1374)
Translation by John Nott (1751 - 1825)
Rapido fiume che d’alpestra vena
Language: Italian (Italiano)
Rapido fiume che d’alpestra vena rodendo intorno, onde ’l tuo nome prendi, notte et dí meco disïoso scendi ov’Amor me, te sol Natura mena, vattene innanzi: il tuo corso non frena né stanchezza né sonno; et pria che rendi suo dritto al mar, fiso u’ si mostri attendi l’erba piú verde, et l’aria piú serena. Ivi è quel nostro vivo et dolce sole, ch’addorna e ’nfiora la tua riva manca: forse (o che spero?) e ’l mio tardar le dole. Basciale ’l piede, o la man bella et bianca; dille, e ’l basciar sie ’nvece di parole: Lo spirto è pronto, ma la carne è stanca.
About the headline (FAQ)
Authorship:
- by Francesco Petrarca (1304 - 1374), no title, appears in Canzoniere (Rerum vulgarium fragmenta) , in 1. Rime In vita di Madonna Laura, no. 208 [author's text checked 1 time against a primary source]
Musical settings (art songs, Lieder, mélodies, (etc.), choral pieces, and other vocal works set to this text), listed by composer (not necessarily exhaustive):
- by Marcelle de Manziarly (1899 - 1989), "Rapido fiume", 1960 [ baritone and piano ], from Sonnets de Pétrarque pour baryton et piano, no. 2 [sung text not yet checked]
Available translations, adaptations or excerpts, and transliterations (if applicable):
- ENG English (John Nott)
- ENG English (Susan Wollaston) , first published 1841
- FRE French (Français) (Francisque Reynard)
Researcher for this text: Emily Ezust [Administrator]
This text was added to the website: 2015-12-30
Line count: 14
Word count: 106
Impetuous flood, that from the Alps'...
Language: English  after the Italian (Italiano)
Impetuous flood, that from the Alps' rude head, Eating around thee, dost thy name obtain; Anxious like me both night and day to gain Where thee pure nature, and me love doth lead; Pour on: thy course nor sleep nor toils impede; Yet, ere thou pay'st thy tribute to the main, Oh, tarry where most verdant looks the plain, Where most serenity the skies doth spread! There beams my radiant sun of cheering ray, Which deck thy left banks, and gems o'er with flowers; E'en now, vain thought! perhaps she chides my stay: Kiss then her feet, her hand so beauteous fair; In place of language let thy kiss declare Strong is my will, though feeble are my powers.
About the headline (FAQ)
Authorship:
- by John Nott (1751 - 1825) [author's text checked 1 time against a primary source]
Based on:
- a text in Italian (Italiano) by Francesco Petrarca (1304 - 1374), no title, appears in Canzoniere (Rerum vulgarium fragmenta) , in 1. Rime In vita di Madonna Laura, no. 208
Musical settings (art songs, Lieder, mélodies, (etc.), choral pieces, and other vocal works set to this text), listed by composer (not necessarily exhaustive):
- [ None yet in the database ]
Researcher for this page: Guy Laffaille [Guest Editor]
This text was added to the website: 2016-01-01
Line count: 14
Word count: 119