VII. Sonnet [“Upon a day, came Sorrow in to me”]
BY DANTE ALIGHIERI
TRANSLATED BY DANTE GABRIEL ROSSETTI
My source: Poetry Foundation (Newsletter of September 14th, 2024)
on the 9th of June 1290
Upon a day, came Sorrow in to me,
Saying, "I’ve come to stay with thee a while;"
And I perceived that she had usher'd Bile
And Pain into my house for company.
Wherefore I said, "Go forth—away with thee!"
But like a Greek she answer'd, full of guile,
And went on arguing in an easy style.
Then, looking, I saw Love come silently,
Habited in black raiment, smooth and new,
Having a black hat set upon his hair;
And certainly the tears he shed were true.
So that I ask'd, "What ails thee, trifler?"
Answering he said: "A grief to be gone through;
For our own lady’s dying, brother dear."
VII. Sonnet [“Upon a day, came Sorrow in to me”]
BY DANTE ALIGHIERI
TRANSLATED BY DANTE GABRIEL ROSSETTI
Copyright Credit: Dante Alighieri,
“VII. Sonnet" from The Early Italian Poets: Together with Dante's Vita Nuova.
Translated by Dante Gabriel Rossetti. London: J. M. Dent and Co., 1861.
Public domain. Public domain. Public domain.
Source: The Early Italian Poets: Together with Dante's Vita Nuova ( J. M.
Dent and Co., 1861)
My attempt:
My substance shrunk when sorrow entered me
And in low voice declared she'd stay a while
How could I guess she'd also spew her bile
And cut me off from pleasant company
Give me a smile that comes easy to thee
Spare me a scolding and spare me your guile
Can you not see I need a friendly style
To lift me up and right me silently
Rid me of sorrow, reinstate me new
From the soles of my two feet to my hair
Reconnect me with joy and friendships true
Friends who would ask, "What ails thee, trifler?"
Friends who would listen to what I've been through
And in my heart of hearts always be dear
Copyright ©️ selmamartin
Note: I used all the end line words from Dante’s poem.
Is there a name for this style? Kindly let me know
if you know.
I’ve never had the privilege of reading Dante before but for this lovely piece
from Poetry Foundation in September that enticed me so much that I had to
imitate the style. Thank you for reading my very first unplanned surrender
and letting Dante guide my pen.
The poems and works on this website are fragments of rough drafts.
Kindly respect my copyright. All Rights Reserved.
© 2024 selmamartin
📌pinning a self-promo📌
(because if I don’t, no one else will 😉)
In The Shadow of Rainbows: A Collection of Songs of Presence
is my debut poetry collection published in July 2023
I hope the mention of the book might tempt you
or that perhaps you consider gifting it to someone you think might enjoy it.
Thanks for the support beforehand.
- Homage to Dante: What Ails Thee, Trifler? - December 13, 2024
- Do The Southerlies Come For The Wicked Too? - December 12, 2024
- Dectina Refrain: Tinged Living Lessons - December 11, 2024
Cool exercise! You did well!
Thanks so dearly my friend. You bless me with your lovely words. Happy Merry everything.
wow, that’s amazing how you did that!
I gave it my best shot, dear Beth. I was happy how it came out; even using the same last word on each line. That was a first for me. It could become addictive… Happy Holidays, my lovely.
The translation is superb Selma. I think the poem you’ve written is called a golden shovel- but I can be wrong
Golden Shovel, I will keep that in mind. But I do wish to hear more from those in the know. The words I used are the last words in the line of the original poem. You could be so right… Happy for your comment my sweet. Blessings on the last weeks of the year. Thanks for supporting me this year again. Stay sweet.
You’re most welcome. Take care and happy holidays
Beautiful, Selma! Great job. ❤️
I believe Sadje is correct. It is a golden shovel. It’s also perfect for a submission to a certain journal.😉
Really 💗? I’m on it. Xo 🚀
Beautiful share, and a wonderful take on the poem, Selma! ✨
You’ve done a fabulous job, Selma!
A wonderful homage! 😀❤️
You did a wonderful job, Selma! 👏🏼💞
Aww. Bless by your words. 🤗