S' i' avessi creduto.
Had I but earlier known that from the eyes
Of that bright soul that fires me like the sun,
I might have drawn new strength my race to run,
Burning as burns the phoenix ere it dies;
Even as the stag or lynx or leopard flies
To seek his pleasure and his pain to shun,
Each word, each smile of her would I have won,
Flying where now sad age all flight denies.
Yet why complain? For even now I find
In that glad angel's face, so full of rest,
Health and content, heart's ease and peace of mind
Perchance I might have been less simply blest,
Finding her sooner: if 'tis age alone
That lets me soar with her to seek God's throne.
This poem has not been translated into any other language yet.
I would like to translate this poem
Michelangelo Buonarroti - Rime 61. S'i' avessi creduto al primo sguardo S’i’ avessi creduto al primo sguardo di quest’alma fenice al caldo sole rinnovarmi per foco, come suole nell’ultima vecchiezza, ond’io tutt’ardo, qual più veloce cervio o lince o pardo5 segue ’l suo bene e fugge quel che dole, agli atti, al riso, all’oneste parole sarie cors’anzi, ond’or son presto e tardo. Ma perché più dolermi, po’ ch’i’ veggio negli occhi di quest’angel lieto e solo10 mie pace, mie riposo e mie salute? Forse che prima sarie stato il peggio vederlo, udirlo, s’or di pari a volo seco m’impenna a seguir suo virtute.