As I’ve no hope of returning ever, <br />Little ballad, lightly, softly, <br />Go yourself, to Tuscany, <br />Go straight to my lady, <br />Who of her great courtesy <br />Will show you highest honour. <br /> <br />You will bring her news of sighs, <br />Filled with pain, and great with fear: <br />But take care to meet no eyes <br />Hostile to a gentle nature: <br />My disadvantage then for sure <br />You’d work, like one opposed, <br />And be by her reproved, <br />And so prove pain for me: <br />So that after my death there’d be, <br />Weeping and fresh dolour. <br /> <br />Little ballad, you know that death <br />Grips me so that life deserts me, <br />Know how my heart with every breath <br />Beats hard, as the spirits speak inside me. <br />So much of my Being’s now undone, <br />I can scarcely suffer longer: <br />So if you would serve me further, <br />Take my soul along with you, <br />Fervently I beg of you, <br />As it leaps from out my heart, here. <br /> <br />O, little ballad, now I yield <br />This trembling soul to your friendship, <br />In its sorrow, take it with you, <br />To the sweet one to whom I send it. <br />Oh, little ballad, sighing say <br />To her, when you’re presented: <br />‘Your servant comes <br />To be with you, <br />He leaves one, <br />Who was Love’s servant’ <br /> <br />You, little weak and fearful voice <br />Issuing from the sad heart weeping, <br />Go with my soul, and this little song, <br />And tell her of my mind that’s ruined. <br />You’ll find a tender woman there, <br />Of an intellect so sweet, <br />That it will be delight complete <br />For you to leave her never. <br />And then, my soul, adore her, <br />Worthy as she is, for ever.<br /><br />Guido Cavalcanti<br /><br />http://www.poemhunter.com/poem/as-i-ve-no-hope-of-returning-ever/
