Conquer your scorn and your long-held hatred Vinca gli sdegni e l'odio vostro antico
Conquer your scorn and your long-held hatred,
Charles and Francis, as Christians imitate
and acknowledge all you owe Jesus Christ,
your friend far more than anyone else's,

Let your armies and weapons run over
his enemy's lands, and bring an end to
not just Italy's grief but Europe's where
the sea bathes the valleys and sweeping hills.

The great shepherd to whom Heaven gave
its keys appeals to you, and he asks you
to direct your compassion towards his flock.

In you let pity be stronger than scorn,
royal pair, a single desire ignite to
destroy those who mock and who deny Christ.

Vinca gli sdegni e l'odio vostro antico,
Carlo e Francesco, il nome sacro e santo
Di Cristo, e di sua fè vi caglia tanto,
Quanto a voi più d'ogni altro è stato amico.

L'arme vostre a domar l'empio nemico
Di lui sian pronte; e non tentete in pianto
Non pur l'Italia, ma l'Europa e quanto
Bagna il mar, cinge valle o colle aprico.

Il gran pastore, a cui le chiavi date
Furon del cielo, a voi si volge, e prega
Che de le greggie sue pietà vi prenda.

Possa più de lo sdegno in voi pietate,
Coppia reale, e un sol desio v'accenda
Di vendicar chi Christo sprezza e nega.

Sources:

Ruscelli-VG, 2: 2; Rizzardi 4:4; Chiapetti 4:4. See also Guerrini-VG, 4:346; also L Domenichi, Rime Diverse di Molti ecc. Auttori (attributed to VG, p 286). Previous translations as by Gambara: Lind 282-3; McAuliffe 199; Poss 59. A recent translation (based on Bullock's edition) as by Colonna: Stortoni and Lille 74-75. For Key see A Note on the Italian texts

Comments:

This is one of the three Bullock has attributed to Colonna. The poem has been attributed to Gambara since Ruscelli included it in his original set; Rizzardi seems to have been the first to suggest that "Vinca gli sdegni" was sent to Bembo in a letter dated September 16, 1538. As Bullock suggests, such a assertion is the result of not reading Bembo's letter carefully enough. Bembo's letter describes the sonnet as one on the Virgin Mary ("il leggiadrissimo sonetto vostro fatto di Nostra Signora"). Bullock suggests the poem that was exchanged was "O gran misterio e sol per fede inteso!" ("Sacred virgin, your beautiful body"). See 1995 Bullock, pp. 155-56n. However, if "Vinca gli sdegni" was not sent with the letter of September 16th, this does not make the sonnet Colonna's. The poem is addressed to Charles V, Francois I, and Paul III. According to Chiapetti (p. 364n), Gambara wrote it in 1538 when Paul III transferred to Nice in order to negotiate a treaty with Charles V and Francois I. Chimenti attributes the poem to Gambara and contextualizes it similarly, pp. 46-48.
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