Morir voglio in la mia fede
Famme pur oltraggio a torto
Se per fede
io serto morto
Hara el ciel di me mercede
Se pensasti donna ingrata
Quanto sia gran dishonore,
Lesser cruda e despietata
A un fidel suo servidore,
Non staresti in tanto errore
Mentre el tempo tel concede,
Che posso io piu donarte
quando posi in tua balia
la piu degna e meglior parte
de lamara vita mia
se per questo voi chio sia
de suspiri pianti herede
Pocha machia spesso guasta
gran virtute e gran belleza
la pieta sola contrasta
con la perfida dureza
picta donque e gentileza
Se per fede serran lossa
mie sepulte in pocha terra
sia scolpita in su la fossa
questo fasso chiude e serra
un che visse sempre in guerra
per servir morte li dede
English translation
I want to die holding on to fidelity.
Do any wrong to me.
If I should die
whilst faithful
Heaven will be my reward.
Think of this, ungrateful woman,
How great a dishonour it brings you
That you are cruel and without pity,
To your faithful servant.
Perserve not in this error,
While time allows you to mend.
What more could I give you?
As I have placed at your mercy,
The most worthy and best part
of my bitter life,
If for my sake
You would inherit sighs and weeping.
A few stains often spoil
great virtue and great beauty.
Mercy alone contrasts
With perfidious hardness,
The feigned kindness required of lady.
If for my fidelity
I am buried in a shallow grave
Let it be carved on the stone:
In this grave is enclosed
One who lived in perpetual war
The one he served brought him death.
Italian text
English translation