Già verde e forte (Philippe de Monte)

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(Posted 2022-08-25) CPDL #70540:

Editor: Gerhard Weydt (submitted 2022-08-25). Score information: A4, 9 pages, 202 kB Copyright: CPDL

Edition notes: Original note values. Transposed down a fourth because of the chiavette used.

(Posted 2022-08-25) CPDL #70539:

Editor: Gerhard Weydt (submitted 2022-08-25). Score information: A4, 9 pages, 203 kB Copyright: CPDL

Edition notes: Original pitch and note values.

General Information

Title: Già verde e forte
Composer: Philippe de Monte
Lyricist:
Number of voices: 5vv Voicings: SAATB or SATTB
Genre: Secular, Madrigal

Language: Italian
Instruments: A cappella

First published: 1576 Musica di 13 autori illustri, no. 6
2nd published: 1580 L'ottavo libro delli madrigali à cinque voci (Philippe de Monte), no. 4
Description:

External websites:

Original text and translations

Italian text

Già verde e forte errando vissi; in foco
Hor, lasso, incenerisco secco e frale;
Scema la medicina, e cresce il male,
Sì che m’avanza da disfar ben poco.
Non è più da lodarti tempo o loco,
O ingiusto e ingrato amor, poi che lo strale
Di te, fanciul, veloce e leve assale
Me vecchio tardo, grave, sordo e roco.

Nel fin de gl’anni miei l’assenzo e’l fele
Rodo et suggo in foco e in aspra pena:
Ardo e languisco, e Salamandra¹ sono.
Ma s’ascoltasse amor le mie querele,
Havrei da quella che mi sprona e affrena
Del duol pietate e del fallir perdono.

¹: The salamander was said to be able to live in the fire without any hurt or pain.

German translation

Ich lebte umherschweifend grün und stark; im Feuer
nun, ach, brenne ich, trocken und schwach,;
die Medizin verliert an Wirkung, und das Übel wächst,
sodass meine Niederlage sich langsam nähert.
Nicht länger mehr ist Zeit oder Ort, dich zu loben,
o du ungerechter uind undankbarer Amor, da der Pfeil
von dir, Jüngling, schnell und leicht überfällt
mich Alten, Trägen, Schwerfälligen, Tauben und Heiseren.

Am Ende meiner Jahre: der Wermut und die Galle
nagen und saugen, im Feuer und unter grausamer Pein
brenne und sieche ich und bin ein Salamander.
Aber, wenn Amor meine Qualen anhörte,
hätte ich von jener, die mich antreibt und zügelt,
für das Leid Barmherzigkeit und für die Fehler Vergebung.

Translation by Gerhard Weydt

English translation

Wandering green and strong I lived; in the fire
now, alas, I burn, dry and frail;
the medicine looses its strength, and the malady increases,
such that my defeat slowly approaches.
No longer ther is time or place to praise you,
o unjust and ingrate Love, since the arrow
sent by you, youngling, quickly and easily assails
me old, tardy, clumsy and deaf and raspy one.

At the end of my years the vermouth and the gall
gnaw and suck in fire and cruel pain
I burn and languish, and I am a salamander.
But if Love would listen to my distress,
I would have by her that drives and reins me
pity for the pain and pardon for my faults.