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Though your real mother's been put in prison, no-one can take from her her character, her strength isn't lost, her bright soul still free, undefeated--my son, my guide, I can understand how I seem to walk lightly, unencumbered, my heart barred and buried safely a small piece of earth; and how it's right for you to want to care for me, lest your new mother perish. Your walk's swift through the vast firmament: nothing obscure-- some cloud, a rock--impedes your rapid stride. The years weigh on me--hardened, cold. It's for you who burn with God's flame to plead to our Father for never-ending help for me. |
An image of the Italian text from Visconti's 1840 edition |
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Notes: From V CXCIV:359. See also B S1:141:155; MSs V2 (Ve2); Valgrisi 152. Translations as if to Alfonso d'Avalos: Roscoe 236; Lawley 91-2; Lefèvre-Deumier 52; as if to Reginald Pole: Schenk 93-4. To Reginald Pole, VC's spiritaul mentor & friend. His mother, Margaret Pole, Countess of Salisbry, was put into the tower in June 1539 and remained there until she was in April 1541 executed by Henry VIII. Other candidate: Del Vasto, Pescara's cousin and VC's adopted son. See "Anima chiara, or pur larga expedita" & "Il nobil vostro spirto non s'è involto", to Frederigo Fregoso. Key |
