Xvii. _The Artist And His Work._ Poem by Michelangelo Buonarroti
Xvii. _The Artist And His Work._
Com' esser, donna, può.
How can that be, lady, which all men learn
By long experience? Shapes that seem alive,
Wrought in hard mountain marble, will survive
Their maker, whom the years to dust return!
Thus to effect cause yields. Art hath her turn,
And triumphs over Nature. I, who strive
With Sculpture, know this well; her wonders live
In spite of time and death, those tyrants stern.
So I can give long life to both of us
In either way, by colour or by stone,
Making the semblance of thy face and mine.
Centuries hence when both are buried, thus
Thy beauty and my sadness shall be shown,
And men shall say, 'For her 'twas wise to pine.'
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4/25/2024 1:20:13 AM # 1.0.0.1119
Michelangelo Buonarroti - 239. Com'esser, donna, può quel c'alcun vede Com’esser, donna, può quel c’alcun vede per lunga sperïenza, che più dura l’immagin viva in pietra alpestra e dura che ’l suo fattor, che gli anni in cener riede? La causa a l’effetto inclina e cede,5 onde dall’arte è vinta la natura. I’ ’l so, che ’l pruovo in la bella scultura, c’all’opra il tempo e morte non tien fede. Dunche, posso ambo noi dar lunga vita in qual sie modo, o di colore o sasso,10 di noi sembrando l’uno e l’altro volto; sì che mill’anni dopo la partita, quante voi bella fusti e quant’io lasso si veggia, e com’amarvi i’ non fu’ stolto.