Fontana d’eloquenza, honor di tanti
Homini illustri, c’han cangiato il pelo
Nei studi di virtù, squarciando ‘l velo
Del vicio, che vedean farsi davanti.
Ben possono cessar incensi e canti
A Palade in Athene, a Febo in Delo,
Quand’in voi solo ha già raccolti il cielo
Ciò cha donato in parte a cori santi.
Ben possono i Poeti horrmai lasciare,
Che’l sacro Apollo nei fioriti monti
Stia solo all’ombra del suo verde lauro.
Ben possono, Signor, di voi cantare,
Facendovi immortal per gl’orizonti,
Sotto i quai giace il Gran Mar Indo e Mauro.
German translation
Brunnen der Beredsamkeit, Ruhm so vieler
vortrefflicher Männer, die alt geworden sind
beim Studium der Tugenden, indem sie den Schleier
des Lasters zerrissen, der sie sich davor bilden sahen.
Wohl können sie ablassen von Weihrauch und Gesang
an Pallas in Athen, an Phöbus in Delos,
wenn in Euch allein schon der Himmel versammelt hat,
was er in Teilen den frommen Herzen gab.
Wohl können von nun an die Dichter hinnehmen,
dass der heilige Apoll in den blühenden Bergen
allein bleibe im Schatten deines grünen Lorbeers.
Besser können sie, mein Herr, von Euch singen
und Euch unsterblich machen bis zu den Horizonten,
unter denen das Große Indische und Maurische Meer liegt.
Fountain of eloquence, renown of so many
illustrious men, that have grown old
in the studies of virtue, tearing the veil
of vice that they saw forming before it.
Well may they cease incense and song
to Pallas in Athens, to Phoebus in Delos,
when in you alone heaven has gathered,
what he has given in part to saintly hearts.
Well may the poets from now on suffer,
that sacred Apollo in the flowery mountains
be alone in the shadow of his green laurel.
Rather they can, Sir, sing of you,
making you immortal on the horizons,
under which lies the Great Indian and Moorish Sea.