Canzone

by John Milton — a poem card from Justes Mots

Milton's Canzone is a love poem written in Italian, where the poet defends his choice to write verses of love in a foreign tongue. The work celebrates love as a language transcending earthly boundaries, with Milton's heart and his lady's words constituting the truest language of Cupid. This Italian composition showcases Milton's multilingual poetic mastery and devotion to romantic expression.

Ridonsi donne e giovani amorosi
M' occostandosi attorno, e perche scrivi,
Perche tu scrivi in lingua ignota e strana
Verseggiando d'amor, e conie t'osi ?
Dinne, se la tua speme sia mai vana
E de pensieri lo miglior t' arrivi;
Cosi mi van burlando, altri rivi
Altri lidi t' aspettan, & altre onde…

Themes: love · new-baby · wedding · friendship