Werner Icking Music Archive: Carlo Gesualdo da Venosa

Deh, coprite il bel seno: Deh, coprite il bel seno,
Che per troppo mirar l'alma vien meno!
Ahi! no'l coprite, no, che l'alma avezza
A viver di dolcezza
Spera, mirando, aita
Da quel bel sen che le dà morte e vita.

I beg you, hide your lovely breasts:
it makes me faint to look too much upon them.
Alas, no, do not hide them: let me become accustomed
to enjoy such sweet sensations.
As I look at them, I hope for succour
from within that bosom which means
both death and life to me.

English translation by Mick Swithinbank at CPDL