Poems from Italian

Translated by Leonard Cottrell

From Canticle of the Creatures by Saint Francis of Assisi (c.1182–1226)

It is the love god's will by Emperor Frederick II (1194–1250)

Don't send me messages, they're lies Sicilian popular song (13th century)

In the time when the world leafs and flowers by La Compiuta Donzella (13th century)

I wish to live a nun's life, free from guile by La Compiuta Donzella

A quick perceptiveness by Guido Cavalcanti (13th century)

If I were fire, I'd burn up the world by Cecco Angiolieri (c.1258–1312)

To Guido Cavalcanti by Dante Alighieri (1265–1321)

The thorn forest by Dante Alighieri

Ulysses' last voyage by Dante Alighieri

She let her sunlit tresses fly by Francesco Petrarca (1304–1374)

Carnival Song by Lorenzo de' Medici (1449–1492)

By now so sick of waiting by Gaspara Stampa (c.1523–1554)

To Zakynthos by Ugo Foscolo (1778–1827)

Once upon a time by Giuseppe Belli (1791–1863)

What's the pope do? by Giuseppe Belli