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Vergine saggia, e del bel numer' una
De le beate vergini prudenti,
Anzi la prima e con più chiara lampa;
O salso scudo de l'afflitte genti
Contra' colpi di Morte e di Fortuna,
Sotto 'l qual si trionfa, non pur scampa;
O refrigerio al cieco ardor ch'avvampa
Qui fra' mortali sciocchi:
Vergine, que' begli occhi,
Che vider trisi la spietata stampa
Ne' dolci membri del tuo caro figlio,
Volgi al mio dubbio stato,
Che sconsigliato a te vien per consiglio.
English translation
Wisest Virgin, and of that lovely number
one of the virgins blessed with prudence,
rather the first of them, and with the brightest lamp:
O solid shield for the oppressed peoples
against the blows of Death and Fortune,
under whom we triumph, not just escape:
O coolness for blind heat that flares
among foolish mortals here:
Virgin, turn those lovely eyes,
that saw in sadness the pitiless wounds
in the sweet limbs of your dear Son,
on my uncertain state,
who, without counsel, come to you for counsel.