Giosuè Carducci
Giosuè Carducci, an Italian poet, was awarded the Nobel Prize in Literature in 1906. He was born in a small town near Pisa. Carducci began writing poetry when he was a child. He was enthusiastic about the ancients and demonstrated a strong revolutionary tendency.
Carducci led an active political life and his poetry inspired many Italians in the war for independence.
This is one example of his work:
The ancient lament
The tree to which you stretched out
your little hand,
the green pomegranate
with its beautiful vermilion flowers,in the silent lonely garden
all the gold is turning green again
and June is restoring it
with light and heat.You, flower of my
beaten and withered plant,
you, of my useless life
the last, unique flower,you are in the cold earth,
you are in the black earth;
the sun will not liven you again
nor love awaken you.–Giosuè Carducci (1835-1907)
Borrowed from Consolation
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San Martino
Drizzling, the fog
the steep hills climbs,
and the northwest wind torments
the howling, foaming sea:
but in the village streets
the seething vats send forth
the pungent smell of wine
and cheer the weary souls.
On fiery logs the roast
turns on its spit and crackles;
the hunter stands and whistles
and watches from his door
the flocks of birds that,
back upon reddish clouds,
like forlorn thoughts gyrate
at dusk, preparing to migrate.
Dear John,
I am writing to both compliment on the beauty and accuracy of the translation of San Martino by Giosue’ Carducci, and to ask your kind permission to quote it in a book I am currently writing on a family journey through Italian food, conviviality and life style. – VERSATILE, A family journey through Italian Food and Conviviality -. The book opens with narrative and historical chapters and develops into versatile family recipes, some drawn from past traditions, others which I have elaborated. This is my first book, so one could say that “I am the new girl on the block!”… and I would be extremely grateful if the translation published on your blog could be quoted in my book. Of course, this will include a due reference to you and your blog in footnotes and selected bibliography. The translation will be part of a chapter titled: A plateful of historical notes, anecdotes and curiosities to feed the mind of a well fed body. Please feel free to ask me any further information you require, in relation to the project. I look forward to hearing from you soon. With my kindest regards, Grazia Draper
Sorry, Grazia, but I don’t know who translated this one.