Strozzi.
Put an envelope on the letter to Gioberti. Write to me what reception he gives it. Pray excuse.[102]
No. 5.—Six Poems by Gabriele Rossetti
[I give here six specimens of my father’s powers as a poet. Setting aside San Paolo in Malta, which is only an improvise, it may be said that in all these instances the verses rank among his choice things; though many others could be quoted not inferior. The dates which I give may be regarded as correct, unless as to the final sonnet, regarding which I am uncertain.
The lyric, Aurora del 21 Luglio del 1820, was, as I have before said, extremely celebrated in its time; and the Addio alla Patria has always been an admired piece. The San Paolo in Malta is referred to at p. 61, and testifies to Rossetti’s uncommon power as an Improvisatore; being as it is in terza rima, each rhyme is triplicated, and thus the improvising effort was all the more arduous.
I leave these poems to the perusal of such readers as are acquainted with Italian. To try to translate them would be little else than to scheme deliberately to spoil them.]
A.
Ad Amore
Alato bambino,
Tiranno de’ cuori,
Ch’io segua il cammino
Che innanzi m’infiori?
Unendomi teco
Ch’io veggio sì cieco,
Oh quanto sarei
Più cieco di te!