Dite mi o si o no (Cristóbal de Morales)
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- CPDL #32794: Sibelius 5
- Editor: Jonathan Goodliffe (submitted 2014-08-27). Score information: A4, 3 pages, 47 kB Copyright: CPDL
- Edition notes:
General Information
Title: Dite mi o si or no
Composer: Cristóbal de Morales
Lyricist:
Number of voices: 4vv Voicing: SATB
Genre: Secular, Madrigal
Language: Italian
Instruments: A cappella
Published: 1541
Description: A four part madrigal, included in Jacques Arcadelt's (1505-1568) fourth book of 4 part madrigals
External websites:
Original text and translations
Italian text
Dite mi o si, o no, senza timore,
ch'ognun de voi, non puose non giovarmi,
se serà un no mi farà grand' honore
star constante volendo voi lasciar mi,
se serà un si fia' l frutto del languire,
assai più degno che'l mio ben servire,
dunque eleggete quel che più vieletta
che l'un mi honora et l'altro mi diletta.
English translation
Translation by Mick Swithinbank
Tell me either yes or no – do not hold back –
for neither answer can fail to make me happy.
If it is ‘no’, I shall gain great honour
by remaining constant while you wish to leave me;
if it is ‘yes’, it will be the fruit of longing,
a far worthier motive than my faithful service to you.
So choose whichever you prefer,
for the one will be to my honour while the other will give me pleasure.