If silent, then grief torments me (Alfonso Ferrabosco I)

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• (Posted 2021-02-13)  CPDL #62882:     

Editor: Mick Swithinbank (submitted 2021-02-13).   Score information: A4, 5 pages, 64 kB   Copyright: CPDL

Edition notes: Transposed down a fourth.

General Information

Title: If silent, then grief torments me
Composer: Alfonso Ferrabosco I
Lyricist:

Number of voices: 5vv   Voicing: SATTB
Genre: Secular, Madrigal

Language: English
Instruments: A cappella

First published: 1587 in Il primo libro de madrigali a cinque, no. 9
    2nd published: 1598 in Madrigals to five voices (ed. Thomas Morley) – English translation, no. 13
Description: Source: Madrigals to five voices, selected out of the best approved Italian authors by Thomas Morley, pub. Thomas East, 1598. A translation of Ferrabosco's madrigal 'S'io taccio'.

Original text and translations

English text

If silent, then grief torments me,
if I speak, your patience moveth.
Hating him that loveth, your wrath prevents me.

But when sweet hope appeareth,
my countenance it cheereth
and kneels in humble suit for pity pleading:

that these my lines so pensive,
may no wise seem offensive
but rather work my joy by your sweet reading.