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A P P E N D I X : S E L E C T E D P O E T R Y B Y S I E N E S E W O M E N Ermellina Arringhieri de’ Cerretani Già per morir del mortal lume intorno Il picciolo animal con l’ali tese Sen gìa, lieto e sovrano, Ove natura e suo destino il prese, Allor che di mia Dea poco lontano Scorto il volto, la man, l’ardenti luci, Ch’alle strade del ciel fur sempre duci, Congiò vicino a lei subito loco Bramando ivi morir in più bel foco O con sorte miglior nelle sue mani; Ma fur tai desir vani, Chè prender più chiare alme ha per costume Sì bianca mano, e quel celeste lume. ——— The little animal, happy and sovereign, was already flying with open wings around the deadly light where nature and his fate were taking him // when, seeing a short distance away the face, the hand, the burning lights of my goddess, which were always a light on the roads to heaven, // he immediately changed place and drew near to her, craving to die there in a more beautiful fire or, if he were luckier, at her hands; // but his wishes were in vain, 237 for such a white hand and that heavenly light are accustomed to seizing purer souls. Madrigral, published in Domenichi, Rime diverse d’alcune nobilissime, et virtuosissime donne, p. 33; Bulifon, Rime, p. 26; Bergalli, Componimenti poetici, vol. 1, p. 130; Delle donne illustri italiane, pp. 149–50. Francesca B. (1) Sì come suol drizzar saggio Nocchiero, Quando gli asconde nuvoloso verno La Stella scorta sua; con il governo De la pietra indiana il suo sentiero; Così drizza quest’occhi il mio pensiero Al luogo, ov’è colui, lo qual d’eterno Laccio mi strigne; e mentre, ch’io ’l discerno Il cor sottraggo al martir aspro e fiero. Questi alquanto dà triegua ai dolor miei Da Lui lontano; e questi assai men greve Rende l’incarco de’ miei duri omei. Ma, se non fusse, che vederlo in breve, Lasso, pur spero, in pianto mi sfarei, Sì come a caldo Sol tenera Neve. ——— Just as, when cloudy winter hides the star / that is his guide, a wise helmsman knows / how to direct his course / with the Indian stone [i.e., the compass] // So my thought directs my eyes / to the place where he abides, who binds me / with an eternal rope, and while I see him / I remove my heart from harsh and bitter pain. // This one relieves my pains somewhat / when I am far from him, and this one renders / the weight of my hard sighs less heavy. // But, were it not that I do hope to see him / shortly, I would melt away in tears / like soft snow under the warm sun. 238 Appendix: Selected Poetry by Sienese Women Sonnet, published in Domenichi, Rime diverse d’alcune nobilissime, et virtuosissime donne, p. 234. (2) Risposta a M. Girolamo Popponi Segui l’alto camin ne’ tuoi begli anni, Nipote e figlio veramente fido D’Aquila illustre, e da sì raro nido Rivolti ogn’ora al Sol tien gli occhi e i vanni. Celeste Augel non ti rimova o appanni Falso splendor, né vil piacer o infido Ritardi mai sì chiara fama e grido Con lusingh’empie e con suoi fieri inganni, Ché vedrem tosto al santo tuo pensiero, A l’onorata voglia anzi il morire Render il ciel premio conforme e degno. Né, qual Icaro, o qual Fetonte altiero, N’andrai nel corso, ch’il tuo onesto ardire D’arrivar merta ad ogni nobil segno. ——— Response to Messer Girolamo Popponi Follow the high path in your young years / Nephew, and true son of an illustrious Eagle, / and from such an excellent nest keep your eyes / and wings turned toward the sun. // Heavenly Bird, let not false splendor / turn your eyes away or cloud them, nor let / a false friend delay you from your calling / with empty flattery and bold deceits; // For soon we will see Heaven / bestow its prize on your holy thoughts / and your honorable wishes before you die. // Nor will you go on your path like Icarus /or haughty Phaeton, for your honest desire /deserves to reach each of your noble goals. Sonnet, published in Domenichi, Rime diverse d’alcune nobilissime, et virtuosissime donne, p. 234. Appendix: Selected Poetry by Sienese Women 239 (3) In Risposta Alzate al vero sole il cuor sincero Et al verbo...

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