I hope for a moment's respite, but where? Da chi debb'io sperar mai triegua o pace
I hope for a moment's respite, but where?
if he who's there for others hurts only
me, leaves me shaking, drained, and unable.

Longings that still make themselves felt
hotly, harsh achings, imperious demands,
if we cannot totally expel them,
(it is said) can be lightened, will through time
be customary, more easily lived through.

My experience has been completely
other: when in spring love renews its old ways,
for me the intensity is reborn,
old tales of anguish again companion me.

So whether it's my bitter state of mind,
the lasting nature of love or of faith,
there is no more need to say the obvious,
just that I see and feel it so crystal sharp.

Da chi debb'io sperara mai tregua o pace
Se quel ch'agli altri giova
A me sol nuoce, mi consume e sface?

Il tempo si suol dir che l'aspre pene
E gli cocenti ardori
Se non in tutto allegerisse alquanto;

Ma ahi lasso! in me tutt'il contrario avviene,
Ch'al rinovar dei fiori
Rinova i vecchi amori,
E in campagnia di lor la doglia e 'l pianto.

Qual sia dunque el mio stato acerbo e quanto
Sia il mio constante amore,
Quanta sia la mia fede,
Più nol dirò poiché sì chiar si vede.

Sources:

See 1995 Bullock 13:70 and ABullock, "Per Una Edizione Critica della Rime di Veronica Gambara", pp. 107-10. For Key see A Note on the Italian texts

Comments:

This is an unusually calm poem in the love series. . Bullock found it in a Viennese manuscript together with "Non t'ammirar se a te non visto mai", "Amor poi ch'io son priva",, Così estrema è la doglia" ("Per Una Edizone Critica", pp. 107-8). It reads like the voice of a mature woman . Bullock places it early, p. 70n.
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