The Ancient Lament, by Giosue Carducci, English Translation (Pianto Antico, Rime Nuove)

"Rime Nuove", by G. Carducci, cover 1887
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The Ancient Lament, by Giosue Carducci, from New Rhymes, 1887

 

The tree you used to reach

your infant's hand out to,

the verdant pomegranate

with pretty vermilion flowers,

in the mute solitary orchard

has now just turned green

for June is restoring it

with light and warmth.

You, blossom of my own
shaken and parched tree,

you, of my vain life

ultimate and only flower,

lay in the chilly ground,

lay in the black ground;

neither can the sun gladden you

nor love awaken you again.

Translated by LiteraryJoint

Original version in Italian:

Pianto Antico, da Rime Nuove, 1887

L’albero a cui tendevi

la pargoletta mano,

il verde melograno

da’ bei vermigli fior,

nel muto orto solingo

rinverdí tutto or ora

e giugno lo ristora

di luce e di calor.

Tu fior de la mia pianta

percossa e inaridita,

tu de l’inutil vita

estremo unico fior,

sei ne la terra fredda,

sei ne la terra negra;

né il sol piú ti rallegra

né ti risveglia amor.