________________________________________________
Title: Sonetto
Author: Matilda Betham [
More Titles by Betham]
DI GIOVANNI DELLA CASA.
Oh sonno, oh della cheta, umida, ombrosa
Notte placido figlio; oh de' mortali
Egri conforto, oblio dolce de' mali,
Si gravi, ond' e la vita aspra, e nojosa:
Soccorri al core omai, che langue, e posa
Non have; e queste membra stanche, e frali
Solleva: a me ten vola, oh sonno, e l'ali
Tue brune sovra me distendi, e posa.
Ov' e il silenzio, che'l di fugge, e'l lume?
E i lievi sogni, che con non secure
Vestigia di seguirti han per costume?
Lasso, che'nvan te chiamo, e queste oscure,
E gelide ombre invan lusingo; oh piume
D'asprezza colme; oh notti acerbe, e dure!
SONNET, TO SLEEP.
TRANSLATION.
Son of the silent, dark, and humid Night,
Consoler of the wretched, by whose sway
The gloomy train of ills are put to flight,
That blacken Life's uncertain, tedious day,
O! succour now this restless, pining heart!
Give to these feeble, weary limbs repose!
Fly to me, Sleep! and let thy sombre wings
Over my couch their dusky plumes disclose!
O! where is Silence, who avoids the light?
Where the wild dreams that flutter in thy train?
Alas! in vain I call thee, cruel Night!
And flatter these insensate shades in vain.
And oh! without thy cheering dews are shed,
How full of hardships is the downy bed!
[The end]
Matilda Betham's poem: Sonetto
________________________________________________
GO TO TOP OF SCREEN
