La cortesia (Orlando di Lasso)
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CPDL #11925: Finale-2000
- Editor: Sabine Cassola (added 2006-06-22). Score information: A4, 2 pages, 67 kbytes Copyright: CPDL
- Edition notes:
General Information
Title: La cortesia
Composer: Orlando di Lasso
Number of voices: 4vv Voicing: SATB
Genre: Secular, Madrigals
Language: Italian
Instruments:
Published:
Description:
External websites:
Original text and translations
English translation by Mick Swithinbank
You women preach kindness,
but never display any yourselves, let me tell you.
Refrain: Wouldst thou see whether what I say is true?
If I but speak to thee, at once thou biddest me farewell.
If this is how you talk, why do you not love me?
And why dost thou not take pity on so much suffering?
Refrain…
When I hold you in my arms as you come in,
Without cause thou seekest to bring about my death.
Refrain…
Come, my girl, to preach is all very fine,
But good works must be performed as well.
Refrain…
Note: The mixture of singular/familiar and plural/polite 'you' forms in this text seems rather arbitrary, but I have reflected it in the translation. 'Cortesia' can mean 'courtesy', 'kindness' or 'graciousness'.