Sir Peter Pears — Britten: Seven Sonnets of Michelangelo, Op.22 - Sonetto XXIV song lyrics and translation
The page contains the lyrics and English translation of the song "Britten: Seven Sonnets of Michelangelo, Op.22 - Sonetto XXIV" by Sir Peter Pears.
Lyrics
Spirito ben nato, in cui si specchia e vede
Nelle tuo belle membra oneste e care
Quante natura e 'l ciel tra no' puo' fare
Quand’a null’altra suo bell’opra cede;
Spirto leggiadro, in cui si spera e crede
Dentro, come di fuor nel viso appare
Amor, pietà, mercè, cose sì rare
Che mà furn’in beltà con tanta fede;
L’amor mi prende, e la beltà mi lega;
La pietà, la mercè con dolci sguardi
Ferma speranz’al cor par che ne doni
Qual uso o qual governo al mondo niega
Qual crudeltà per tempo, o qual più tardi
C’a sì bel viso morte non perdoni?
Lyrics translation
Well-born spirit, in which one mirrors and sees
In your beautiful honest and dear members
How much nature is the sky between no ' can ' do
When no other good opra gives in;
Fairy spirit, in which one hopes and believes
Inside, as of out in the face appears
Love, pity, mercy, things so rare
Who Furn'in beauty with so much faith;
Love takes me, and beauty binds me;
Mercy, Mercy with sweet looks
Firm hope to the heart that you give
Which use which government al mondo denies
What cruelty in time, or what later
There is so beautiful face death do not forgive?