by
Giacomo Francesco Bussani (flourished 1673-1680)
Alma del gran Pompeo
Language: Italian (Italiano)
Available translation(s): ENG
Alma del gran Pompeo,
che al cenere suo d'intorno
invisibil t'aggiri,
fur'ombre i tuoi trofei,
ombra la tua grandezza,
e un'ombra sei:
così termina al fine il fasto umano;
ieri che vivo occupò un mondo in guerra,
oggi risolto in polve un'urna serra.
Tal di ciascuno, ahi lasso!
il principio è di terra,
e il fine è un sasso.
Misera vita! oh, quanto è fral tuo stato!
Ti forma un soffio,
e ti distrugge un fiato.
Authorship:
Musical settings (art songs, Lieder, mélodies, (etc.), choral pieces, and other vocal works set to this text), listed by composer (not necessarily exhaustive):
Available translations, adaptations or excerpts, and transliterations (if applicable):
- ENG English (Andrew Schneider) , "Soul of great Pompey", copyright © 2018, (re)printed on this website with kind permission
Researcher for this page: Andrew Schneider
[Guest Editor] This text was added to the website: 2018-06-02
Line count: 15
Word count: 76
Soul of great Pompey
Language: English  after the Italian (Italiano)
Soul of great Pompey,
which invisibly wanders round about his ashes,
your trophies are but shades,
your grandeur a shade,
and so are you.
Thus it is that the pomp and splendour
of human existence ends:
Yesterday, he who embroiled
a whole world in warfare
is today lying in the dust,
and his urn is now covered.
Thus with everyone, alas!
Our beginnings on earth,
but our end a mere stone.
Wretched life! oh, how frail are you!
A breath forms you,
and a breeze destroys you.
Authorship:
- Translation from Italian (Italiano) to English copyright © 2018 by Andrew Schneider, (re)printed on this website with kind permission. To reprint and distribute this author's work for concert programs, CD booklets, etc., you may ask the copyright-holder(s) directly or ask us; we are authorized to grant permission on their behalf. Please provide the translator's name when contacting us.
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Based on:
This text was added to the website: 2018-08-18
Line count: 17
Word count: 87