Ma non sì tosto dal materno stelo (Giaches de Wert)

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Editor: Allen Garvin (submitted 2024-09-25).   Score information: Letter, 3 pages, 68 kB   Copyright: CC BY NC
Edition notes: Transposed down a 4th.
Editor: Allen Garvin (submitted 2024-09-25).   Score information: Letter, 3 pages, 69 kB   Copyright: CC BY NC
Edition notes: Original high clefs.

General Information

Title: Ma non sì tosto dal materno stelo
Composer: Giaches de Wert
Lyricist: Ludovico Ariosto from Orlando Furioso, canto I ottava 43.
Number of voices: 4vv   Voicing: SATB
Genre: SecularMadrigal

Language: Italian
Instruments: A cappella

First published: 1558 in Il primo libro de madrigali a cinque voci, Edition 1, no. 19.2
    2nd published: 1564 in Il secondo libro de madrigali a cinque voci, Edition 2, no. 14.2
Description: Part two of La verginella è simile alla rosa. Though parts one and three are for five voices, the quinto voce is tacet for this movement.

External websites:

Original text and translations

Italian.png Italian text

Ma non sì tosto dal materno stelo
rimossa viene e dal suo ceppo verde,
che quanto avea dagli uomini e dal cielo
favor, grazia e bellezza, tutto perde.
La vergine che 'l fior, di che più zelo
che de' begli occhi e de la vita aver de',
lascia altrui corre, il pregio ch'avea inanti
perde nel cor di tutti gli altri amanti.

English.png English translation

Yet once removed, of its green stem bereft,
Once torn from the branch that bore it of late,
Naught that heaven or earth endowed is left;
Loss of grace, beauty, favour is its fate.
A maid should thus avoid that flower’s theft,
Dearer than life and light, in its pure state,
Nor see the worth lost it had owned before,
When others its sweet beauty prize no more.

Translation by Anthony S. Kline © (bears a non-commercial license)