Felice chi vi mira

General Information

Author: Giovanni Battista Guarini, 1598 in Rime. Madrigal 53, "Beltà felicitante"

Settings by composers

• Antonio Cifra — Felice chi vi mira  Italian SSATB
• Sigismondo d'India — Felice chi vi mira - Ben hebbe amica stella  Italian SAATB
• Leone Leoni — Felice chi vi mira  Italian SSATB
• Benedetto Pallavicino — Felice chi vi mira  Italian SSATB
• Giovanni Piccioni — Felice, chi vi mira  Italian SSATB
• Salamone Rossi — Felice, chi vi mira  Italian SSATB

 

Text and translations

Italian text Felice chi vi mira: Ma più felice chi per voi sospira. Felicissimo poi Chi sospirando fa sospirar voi. Ben hebbe amica stella Chi per Donna sì bella Può far contento in un l'occhio, e'l desio, E sicuro può dir, quel core è mio.

English translation Happy is he who looks upon you, happier he who sighs for you; but happiest of all is he who, by sighing, makes you sigh. A friendly star must have looked kindly upon him who, thanks to such a beautiful lady, can at the same time satisfy both the eye and his desire and can say without fear of contradiction: 'That heart belongs to me.' Translation by Mick Swithinbank