See the FONT inspired by the Madrigal.
Or do some heavy reading on the Monteverdi Madriglas.
A better translation of the text:
Si, ch'io vorrei morire
Sì, ch'io vorrei morire,
ora ch'io bacio, amore,
la bella bocca del mio amato core.
Ahi, cara e dolce lingua,
datemi tanto umore,
che di dolcezza in questo sen m'estingua!
Ahi, vita mia, a questo bianco seno,
deh, stringetem fin ch'iovenga meno!
Ahi bocca, ahi baci, ahi lingua; torn' a dire:
Sì, ch'io vorei morire!
MAURIZIO MORO
| Yes, I would like to die
Yes, I would like to die,
now that I'm kissing, sweetheart,
the luscious lips of my darling beloved.
Ah! dear, dainty tongue,
give me so much of your liquid
that I die of delight on your breast!
Ah, my love, ah, crush me
to this white breast until I faint!
Ah mouth, ah kisses, ah tongue, I say again: Yes, I would like to die!
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5 comments:
that is the weirdest thing i have ever read. "give me so much of your liquid that i die of delight on your breast"?
jhood
not so strange, really, just a little graphic--- you realize that die means orgasm?
Renaissance poetry is full of flowery imagery and Monteverdi's fourth book is no exception. Here, 'morire' can mean a literal, emotional, spiritual or even sexual dying. If you ever get the chance to watch the film, The Full Monteverdi, the metaphor will be crystal clear.
I believe "umore" is better translated as "humor", not liquid. I always implied from this a reference to the beloved's spirit, not their bodily fluids. I think this text, and the setting of it, convey the sense of delight at total, complete union with one's companion.
the humors were indeed bodily liquids in the Renaissance: blood, phlegm, and black and green bile. I don't think any of these are meant specifically.
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