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O beautiful crimson roses
O beautiful crimson roses
that among thorns
do not open at dawn;
But, as priests of love,
keep safe
the treasure of pretty teeth.
Speak to me, precious roses,
my sweethearts;
tell me why, when I stare
at you with a look of passion,
you suddenly
melt into a beautiful smile?
O beautiful roses, or gashes -
Ah, now I feel pity
for you! And so I find
new ways
to sing your praise;
yet this only makes you laugh.
It's true, when it's carefree
the world laughs,
the sky laughs when it’s joyful;
that’s all true; but they don't know
as well as you
how to laugh so charmingly.
English translation by Paul Archer of the text of Belle rose porporine by Giulio Caccini (1551-1618) from Le nuove musiche, 1601. The text by Gabriello Chiabrera (1552-1638) uses the metaphor of roses for the beloved's lips. The full text consists of 8 verses, but is usually shortened in performance - the text here uses the 1st, 2nd, 4th and last verse. See the copyright notice below.
Belle rose porporine
Belle rose porporine
Che tra spine
Sull'aurora non aprite;
Ma, ministri degl'amori,
Bei tesori
Di bei denti custodite.
Dite, rose preziose,
Amorose;
Dit'ond'è, che s'io m'affiso
Nel bel guardo acceso ardente
Voi repente
Disciogliete un bel sorriso?
Belle rose, ò feritate,
O pietate
Del si far la cagion sia
Io vo dir in nuovi modi
Vostri lodi;
Ma ridete tuttavia.
Ben è ver, quand'è giocondo
Rid'il mondo,
Rid'il ciel quand'è gioioso;
Ben è ver; ma non san poi
Come voi
Far un riso grazioso.
Recording. Montserrat Figueras and Schola Cantorum Basiliensis.
Link: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=l54UfAtjRQw
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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