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O sigh of love
O sigh of love,
breath of an aching heart
from the chest taking flight,
gentle respite from love’s torment.
Little zephyr of love,
clarion of my pain,
gently wafting breeze,
silent harbinger of the tongue-tied lover.
Fly to her unyielding breast
that’s solely filled with ice,
and with your ardent breath
thaw the freezing cold snow.
And if you ever enter
into her chest’s centre,
do not then leave, I pray,
before you’ve warmed my lady to pity.
English translation by Paul Archer of the text of O sospiro amoroso by Domenico Obizzi (active 1620's) from Madrigali et Arie a voce sola di Domenico Obizzi da cantarsi in chittarone, clavecimbalo, ò altre forte d'Inftromenti, con l'Afabetto all'Ariette per la Chitarra alla Spagnola (1627). The text is by Pietro Michiele.
O sospiro amoroso
O sospiro amoroso,
spirto d’un cor doglioso
ch’esci dal petto à volo,
pausa soave à l’amoroso duolo.
Zefiretto d’Amore,
tromba del mio dolore,
aura lieve e vagante,
muto forier di taciturno amante.
Vanne al rigido seno
che sol di gelo è pieno
e co’ tuoi fiati ardenti
stempra le nevi fredde e algenti.
E se nel centro mai
di quel petto entrerai,
non quindi uscir se pria
non scaldi di pietà la Donna mia.
Copyright notice. The translation is provided as an aid to musicians and audiences. Publication of the translation in print or digital formats is expressly forbidden unless permission from the author has been first obtained and acknowledgement of authorship is duly made. Permission will usually be granted so please contact Paul Archer with details of how you wish to make use of the translation.
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