Fedel qual sempre fui (Ghiselin Danckerts)
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- Editor: Mick_Swithinbank (submitted 2020-12-24). Score information: A4, 4 pages, 66 kB Copyright: CPDL
- Edition notes: Down a minor third.
General Information
Title: Fedel qual sempre fui
Composer: Ghiselin Danckerts
Lyricist:
Number of voices: 4vv Voicing: SATB
Genre: Secular, Unknown
Language: Italian
Instruments: A cappella
First published: 1558
Description: Setting of Stanzas 61 and 62 from Ariosto's Orlando Furioso. Published by Gardano. The original clefs were G2, C2, C3, C4.
External websites:
Original text and translations
Italian text
Fedel qual sempre fui, tal esser voglio
fin alla morte, e più, se più si puote.
O siami Amor benigno o m’usi orgoglio,
o me Fortuna in alto o in basso ruote,
immobil son di vera fede scoglio
che d’ogn’intorno il vento e il mar percuote:
né già mai per bonaccia né per verno
luogo mutai, né muterò in eterno.
Scarpello si vedrà di piombo o lima
formare in varie imagini diamante,
prima che colpo di Fortuna, o prima
ch’ira d’Amor rompa il mio cor costante;
e si vedrà tornar verso la cima
de l’alpe il fiume turbido e sonante,
che per nuovi accidenti, o buoni o rei,
faccino altro viaggio i pensier miei.
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English translation
I what I was till death will be;
And be more faithful, if I can be more:
Deals Love in kindness or in scorn with me;
Hath doubtful Fortune good or ill in store;
I am a very rock of faith, by sea
And winds unmoved, which round about it roar
Nor I have changed for calm or storm, nor I
Will ever change to all eternity.
Sooner shall file or chisel made of lead
To the rough diamond various forms impart,
Than any stroke, by fickle Fortune sped,
Or Love’s keen anger, break my constant heart:
Sooner return, to Alp, their fountain-head,
The troubled streams that from its summit part,
Than e’er, for change or chances, good or nought,
Shall wander from its way my steadfast thought.
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