Venice masks

Wednesday, 8 January 2025

Shepherdesses' song - Gil Vicente

Turn away your eyes from mine,
O my life and consolation! 
Wherefore fill me with such passion?

For your eyes, O lady bright, 
Lady of all loveliness, 
for one minute of delight 
give a thousand years' distress —
I fear to have no happiness.

Sweet, ne'er eye me in that fashion, 
Wherefore fill me with such passion?

Gil Vicente [called the Troubadour] (c. 1465 – c. 1536) Portugal
Translated by George Young
Source: Portugal, an anthology, by George Young, The Clarendon Press, 1916

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