Land Lyrics in English Lorenzo Fragola

These English lyric translations are not yet verified.

An old-world tale. who reads perchance

May deem it dull or idly told

Preferring latter-day romance

Where well trained hearts their loves unfold

Tuscany, land of fierce hates and wild loves and of limitless passions

Tuscany, home of petrarca and dante and lively boccaccio

Tuscany, home of the angelic painter revered throughout europe

Thou art the scene of this story: in thee all its actors lie buried

Near to a stream that escaped from fiesole's heights and that wandered

Down through vast forests of chestnut and unto the plain that stretched eastward

Where it meandered at will until lost in the turbulent arno

Stood in the days when the land was ruled o'er by the mighty lorenzo

Stood, and still stands, although now but a ruin, four centuries later

Villa alberti, the home of a youthful and passionate noble

Known far and wide for his pitiless temper that recked not of mercy

Cosmo alberti his name, and for wife he had taken bianca

One of the house of bordoni and daughter of luigi bordoni

Many times chosen a prior of merchants of silk in firenze

Fair was the face of the maid and her voice was as sweet as the nightingale's

Heard in mid-may when the forest rejoices in newly-won verdure

Gracious her manner to all and so great was the charm of her presence

That at the banquets the wealth and the pride of firenze attended

None of its maidens were paid so much honor as gentle bianca

Simple and fresh was her spirit despite all the praise she excited

Equal in measure from amorous youth and from grey-headed statesmen

Nor was the fame of her beauty and sweetness confined to firenze

Roman ambassadors when they returned to the city eternal

Spoke of it freely, while light-hearted gallants of pisa and lucca

Passing a season in tuscany's proudest of cities, firenze

Spread on returning the praise of the beautiful florentine maiden

But, as it chanced, unto cosmo alberti, her name was a strange one

Even when tuscany rang with her manifold virtues and graces

For from his villa he seldom went forth to the city, preferring

Either to follow his own lawless will in his wide-spread dominion

Or to engage in some feud with a neighbor and, coming off victor

Harry his rival to death and then seize upon all his possessions

Yet unto him at last tidings of bordoni's daughter were wafted

And, in a moment when 'customed delights seemed to pall on his spirit

Thoughts of bianca bordoni came into his mind and he wondered

What she was like and if all that was said of her pictured her truly

With cosmo alberti to think was to act, and thus happed it firenze

Saw him one day in her streets, unto which he had long been a stranger

Saw him and greeted him kindly, as florentine prudence suggested

Nor was it long before he of the villa alberti was granted

Sight of the maiden the fame of whose charms had lured him from his castle

Pietro brignoli, whose daughter a noble young pisan had wedded

Gave on the day of the bridal a banquet to which were invited

All of the rank and the wealth of firenze and likewise were summoned

Strangers of rank from without, and amongst these was cosmo alberti

Handsome was he in his costume well-fitting his station and figure

Marked among men would he be anywhere, and full many a maiden

Gazing upon him felt something of love stir within her for cosmo

Cosmo, whose eyes were for one, and one only, and that one bianca

Singing was she when he saw her, a song that was made for the bridal

Sweet were the words of the song, for sweet love was the theme of the writer

Guido donati his name, and the words of his song were on this wise

What is the dearest of treasures?

What is the sweetest of pleasures?

Bliss that o'errunneth all measures?

Love is its name. it is love!

Sweet is the bliss of pursuing

Dear is the joy of the wooing

Happiness lies in subduing

Hearts that are strangers to love

Whispered its vows are and tender

Virtue its strongest defender

Every true heart longs to render

Homage and honors to love

Ended the music, arose a great clamor of eloquent voices

Praising the song and the singer and loudest was cosmo alberti's

Ne'er had he known until now these emotions that filled him with longing

Never till now had he felt what it was to love purely and nobly

Love for the moment transformed his rough nature to chivalrous manhood

Lent a new grace to his manner and softened the ring of his laughter

Scarce would the servants of villa alberti have known their young master

Could they have seen him that evening at messer pietro brignoli's

After the banquet the bridegroom and bride led the dancing together

And in their steps followed gladly the florentine maidens and gallants

Crossing, recrossing, and turning wherever the measure demanded

Touching the tips of the fingers and bowing at every turning

Not the least graceful was cosmo alberti, who, joining the dancers

Joyfully found himself frequently facing bianca bordoni

Who for her part was well-pleased when she noted the handsome alberti

Eying her every movement and eagerly craving her favor

Long was the dance but it ended at length and the dancers departed

Cosmo amongst them, his thoughts full of bordoni's beautiful daughter

Whom he determined to gain, and he therefore remained in firenze

Week after week, and so constant was he in attending all banquets

Whereto bianca was bidden that every one saw his devotion

'see what a tamer is love,' said the gossips in strada and loggia

'who would have dreamed that the savage young boar of the villa alberti

Would have forsaken his sports and his fighting for love of a maiden.'

Not unobserved by bordoni the evident purpose of cosmo

Purpose that had for its object the gaining the love of his daughter

And not ill-pleased was the father, who viewed young alberti with favor

As for bianca herself she but faintly at this time remembered

Tales she had heard of his deeds and his temper so cruel

For when his face was before her they seemed like the veriest fancies

Born of the envy of those not so handsome and daring as cosmo

So as the summer departed and tuscany's autumn descending

Touched with the finger of fire all the trees in the plain of the arno

Cosmo, not doubting bianca's affection, demanded of luigi

Hand of the maiden in marriage, whereat old bordoni, concealing

Back of his calmness of face all the joy that he felt, for a moment

Seemed not to favor distinctly the suit of the ardent young cosmo

But as if moved by the arguments earnestly urged by the other

Yielded at last, as doth one overborne, and consented. then gladly

Hastened the passionate cosmo to gentle bianca awaiting

News of her lover's success and as they sat together in silence

Fuller of meaning than words could be ever, luigi bordoni

Dignified, portly and handsome in garments of riches black velvet

Came where they sat and spoke gravely of life and its manifold duties

Spoke of the pain at his heart that would follow the loss of bianca

Spoke of the rumors that reached him of cosmo's undisciplined temper

Urged the young noble to govern his household and people with kindness

Said a few words of the happiness marriage had brought to his own life

Hoped for as much in their future, and left them at length with his blessing

Fixed was the bridal for april, and all through the winter young cosmo

Busied himself with restoring a wing of the villa alberti

Rearing a tower and extending the loggia and planning out gardens

Gardens which now are a wildwood, yet peopled with moss-covered statues

Showing, however, though armless and shattered, the lines of the beauty

Fixed there of old by the wonderful skill of some long-vanished sculptor

So passed the winter with cosmo, who, full of his plans and his raptures

Found little time for pursuing old feuds with his neighbors, who therefore

Dwelt for the winter in peace and most fervently thanked the occasion

Easter came early in april that season but not till the springtide

Filled the val d'arno with tremulous greenness and starred it with blossoms

While on fiesole's heights waved the newly-won sprays of the chestnut

Sprays through which flickered the sunshine on pink-flushing buds of the laurel

Nor was the brightness of tuscany's springtime confined to the country

Strada, piazza and loggia in every part of firenze

Brimmed and ran over with flowers, and at easter their delicate fragrance

Conquered at mass and at vespers the odors of myrrh and frankincense

Stealing from censers of brass swung by thurifers at the high altars

Scarcely had holy week passed when the rigors of lent were forgotten

Save by the monks in their cells and the nuns in their cloisters

For in the easter week happened the wedding at casa bordoni

Wedding long talked of before by the youth and the maids of firenze

Bridal long talked of thereafter because of its wonderful splendor

Not for a decade at least had been seen in the city of flowers

Marriage attended with jubilant mirth and with pomp like to this one

Guests from siena and lucca and pisa and rome the eternal

Brilliant in silks and in velvets and flashing with gold chains and jewels

Sat at the banquet that followed the solemn high mass at the duomo

Sat beside florentine nobles as richly arrayed, and among them

Grey-bearded priors of arts and stout matrons who once had been shapely

Maidens as stately as lilies and children half-dazed with the splendor

Mingled in friendliness born of the joy that abounds at a bridal

Many the healths that were drunk in behalf of the newly-wed couple

Many the wishes expressed for their happiness and to these cosmo

Gracefully worded his thanks, and, the banquet once ended, the dancing

Followed it swiftly, but even more rapidly twinkled to music

Feet of the dancers in rhythmical measures, and lastly succeeded

Chorus of youths and of maidens with clear ringing voices all singing

A fair marriage song writ for the bridal

When in the springtime a soft wind arises

Out of the south land and sweetly surprises

Fair folded buds from their sleep into roses

Breathes on the lily till rathe it uncloses

Hearts that are saddest lose some of their sorrow

Hearts that are lightest a keener joy borrow

When in the springtime a south wind arises

And in its bounty all fair gifts comprises

When in the springtime two hearts are united

Pleasure is crowned and dull pain is affrighted

Love lights the path where the blissful ones wander

Thinking no evil and growing yet fonder

Never such rapture by mortals is tasted

As clings to the days when ere april is wasted

Pain being past and all jealousy blighted

Hearts in the dearest of bonds are united

So the long waiting was over and these two, bianca and cosmo

Entered upon that new life which to some is a quickly sped pleasure

Vanished as soon as the moon of the bridal is over and nothing

Left for the lifetime which follows but weariness, hatred and loathing

But which for others is full of the joy that endureth for all time

Joy that is sister to peace and abideth forever in calmness

How it would be with these two was the wonder of half of firenze

Holding in mind the reports of his pitiless temper aforetime

Somewhat disturbed in his spirit was ancient luigi bordoni

Sitting alone in his palace bereft of bianca and doubting

Whether ambition were safest to follow when wedding a daughter

Tender and loving as his was, and whether young cosmo alberti

Loved her enough to subdue for her sake all his outbursts of passion

Often and often he rode to the gates of the villa alberti

Entered and found in the gardens or sitting at ease in the loggia

Happiness ever and blissful content with bianca and cosmo

Welcome he never found lacking and so as the days journeyed onward

Fainter his doubtings became and at last past away altogether

Utterly routed and slain by the radiant presence of gladness

Now in these halcyon days the great happiness compassing these two

Spread its white wings over all who owed service to cosmo

Wholly transformed seemed the man through his love for the gentle bianca

It was enough for him now that she pleaded for any retainer

Seeking for justice to all, and the noble who once had sought counsel

Only from whim of the moment or spurring of sudden-moved passion

Now was renowned throughout spacious val d'arno for merciful dealing

Many the banquets and feastings at villa alberti that summer

Often the peasant on lands of alberti was roused from his slumbers

Nigh to the hour when the pale rose of dawn in the east faintly quickens

Hearing the rolling of wheels and the querulous neighing of horses

Speeding with jubilant revelers back to their homes in firenze

All who could add to the joy of the moment were welcomed by cosmo

So at the villa alberti were gathered in friendly conjunction

Poets, musicians and artists of differing orders of merit

Nobles and sages and men who were keen at a jest or a satire

There might be seen the fair matrons and maids of the city of florence

Cassock of priest, or the purple-hued robe of the dignified prelate

Merchants returned from a visit to paris or far-distant london

Courtiers from france or ambassadors sent from some german dominion

Many the faiths of the guests but a harmony never was lacking

For at these meetings bianchi and neri forgot for the moment

Matters at issue between them, and even the ghibelline faction

Here at the villa alberti held truce with the guelphs their opponents

Glad it would seem for an interval sacred to peace and good feeling

When the fierce heats of the summer were over and tuscany's autumn

Once more returning had purpled the vineyards and yellowed the cornfields

Veiled with a haze the far peaks of carrara and breathed forth at evening

Hints, though but faint ones as yet, of the oncoming chillier weather

Luigi bordoni one morning rode forth to his daughter bianca's

Not, as his wont was, alone, but companioned upon this occasion

By a fair youth, the last left of the sons of a dearly-loved brother

Nearly two years had he been at ferrara on business of luigi's

But it was ended at last and the youth had returned to firenze

Only that morning brimful of rejoicing at seeing his kindred

Joyous the meeting had been 'twixt the uncle and well-beloved nephew

And in reply to his questionings after bianca, his cousin

Messer bordoni was leading the youth to the villa alberti

Scarce twenty-one was franceso bordoni when leaving firenze

Lightly at that time the down on his upper lip lay like a shadow

But, in his absence had lengthened and darkened till now on returning

Straight as a dart a full finger's length sideways it slenderly pointed

Under it gleamed the white teeth that his clear ringing laughter showed often

And 'neath the forehead above it two dark eyes looked honestly outward

Eyes that the maids of ferrara had many times loved to feel on them

Slenderly built was the youth but withal of an elegant figure

Habited richly in garments befitting his years and his station

Crimson and white was his doublet and likewise his close-fitting long hose

Crimson of hue, and a mantle that carelessly hung from his shoulder

White, with a lining of crimson, showed also the colors he favored

Crimson moreover the cap that he wore and that poised as if blown there

Crowning the grace that yet needed no help of costume to display it

Over his doublet there hung a gold chain wrought by skill of cellini

And at his side was a sword which the same benvenuto cellini

Seized with a master's own fancy, enriched with a wonderful scabbard

Where was depicted the sorrowful story of her of rimini

Goodly in raiment and person alike was the youthful franceso

And as he journeyed that morning along with his uncle, luigi

Said to himself that the youth was a joy to the house of bordoni

Noon was the hour when the uncle and nephew reached villa alberti

Noon, and the shadows that lay on the greensward were dwarfed and misshapen

Noon, and the breezes of morning had died quite away into stillness

Noon, and the birds were asleep and the musical plash of the fountains

Joyously leaping aloft in the sunshine and falling back ever

Scarce broke the slumberous silence that brooded o'er all like a blessing

What a haven of peace!' said franceso aloud to his uncle

'truly a fitting abode for my beautiful cousin bianca.'

Hardly the sentence was uttered when she whom he spoke of came forward

Beaming with joy at beholding her father and long-absent cousin

'surely, franceso, your stay in ferrara has wondrously changed you

For when you left us you seemed like a boy and to-day i behold you

Bearing the honors of manhood like any young florentine gallant.'

Smiling she spoke and the youth in confusion bowed lowly before her

Paused for a moment and then answered gayly, 'my cousin bianca

Time has been busy with you and has changed from a girl to a woman

Her whom i left in the care of the vigilant sisters of joseph

Learning from them to embroider and also the curing of roseleaves.'

More had he said, but the master of villa alberti approaching

Greeted the newcomers warmly and led the way into the villa

There for a time they conversed with each other of various matters

Whether the eloquent savonarola would preach at the duomo

After the autumn was over and advent had opened the winter

Whether the turbulent arrabbiati would dare to molest him

Whether the harvests throughout the val d' arno were promising finely

Whether the air of firenze was purer than that of ferrara

So passed the morning away until cosmo, addressing bianca

Said in his courtliest manner, 'bianca, your cousin franceso

If he has rested as long as he wishes, might care to examine

Under your guidance the gardens, or possibly also the frescos

Painted last spring, my bianca, in honor of you and our bridal

Go with him therefore, i pray you, and i and our excellent father

Later will join you, perhaps in the gardens or else in the loggia.'

Ended his sentence, the speaker arose and passed out with luigi

Full of some plan for adorning the villa which needed explaining

And at an opposite portal bianca went forth with her cousin

Much had franceso to speak of concerning the years of his absence

Much had bianca to tell him of cosmo and how he adored her

Almost like brother and sister the cousins had been in their childhood

Sharing their joys and their sorrows and each one admiring the other

Now as they loitered in arbor and alley in innocent converse

Confidence, long interrupted by absence, returned, and the friendship

Severed by time reunited and freely they spoke to each other

He of the maiden he loved at ferrara with ardent devotion

How he would count himself happy if only bianca might see her

For he was sure she would think the maid wondrously lovely

When he had ended she told of her meeting with cosmo last summer

How she had loved from the first this young lord whom pietro brignoli

Summoned with others to dance and to feast at the fête of his daughter

How she had feared while she loved him, recalling the tales that were told her

Tales that proclaimed him as cruel, and wholly unmindful of kindness

But unto her he was gentle and tender, and courteous ever

Since they were wedded his love had not lost in the least its deep fervor

And his dependents united, she added, in praising their master

'happier woman than i am most surely is none in firenze,'

Gleefully ended bianca her story of cosmo's devotion

Thus as it happened the youthful and handsome franceso bordoni

Once more abiding with luigi his uncle, in casa bordoni

Welcome most cordial received from his cousin the wife of alberti

Welcome in which cosmo joined with the zeal of impetuous natures

Frequent the journeys he made from firenze to villa alberti

For as the autumn departed the beautiful maid of ferrara

Wholly unknown to herself, was supplanted by one in firenze

Wherefore franceso the fickle had much to impart to his cousin

Of the new rapture he fervently vowed should endure for a lifetime

Smilingly listened bianca and wholly refrained from reproaching

Feeling quite sure that his heart was untouched by the one or the other

Hoping moreover in time to divert his uncertain affections

Into a steadier channel and fix them on one of her own friends

Giulia donati, the well-beloved child of a florentine noble

So the youth went and returned at his pleasure, and sober-paced autumn

Glided unseen into winter, so mild was the weather, and cosmo

Welcomed him always as one might a brother and dreamed of no evil

So might it ever have been but for one who had noted franceso

Coming and going at will and moreover seen oft with bianca

Into the brain of battista marchesi, a friend of alberti's

Entered suspicion at once as a guest and found ample employment

When he beheld the young nephew of ancient luigi bordoni

Gladly received by bianca, against whom he cherished resentment

Dating from days when he sued as a lover and won not her favor

Long had he sighed for revenge and the moment for this seemed approaching

Cautious, however, was he, and he waited some time before speaking

But when december was come and battista was hunting with cosmo

Far from firenze on slopes of the apennine alps near carrara

Chance as it seemed led their talk to bianca and villa alberti

'tis a week since i left my bianca!' said cosmo, 'and lonely

Truly i know she will be, so to-morrow must find me returning.'

'lonely, good cosmo?' then answered him crafty marchesi, 'but surely

That is your vanity speaking. bianca can very well spare you

Just for a little at least, for what wife will not tire of her husband

Having him constantly by her and hearing his words of devotion

Then she has with her the beautiful giulia donati and likewise

Paola lippi and other fair maids of firenze and doubtless

Handsome franceso bordoni is there at the villa this moment

Telling some wonderful tale or exciting their mirth by his jesting

O, she is doing quite well in your absence without you, good cosmo

Better remain while the hunting is good than to think of returning

She is quite safe in the care of her friends and her cousin franceso.'

Loudly laughed cosmo when subtle battista had finished, and answered

'little you know of bianca's affection for me, good battista

She is not like many wives who rejoice when their husbands are absent

Ever her thoughts are of me and i surely must see her to-morrow.'

'take your own course, my dear friend,' said battista, in answer, 'and doubtless

You are quite right and bianca, your wife, in your absence is lonely

Pardon me, cosmo, if i in a moment of jesting spoke lightly

Of the affection a wife like bianca must feel for her husband

Let it forever be buried and now let us speak of franceso

Surely a more pleasant subject is he with his easy good-nature

How half the maids in firenze adore him, and yet 'tis no wonder

Who might not conquer and win the most obdurate heart in the city

Had he the graces of person and eloquent tongue of franceso

Even the matrons regard him with pleasure and almost affection

Almost, said i, nay 'tis rumored that one or two matrons whose husbands

Absent just now are from home, seem disposed to the granting of favors

Unto franceso, the handsome, which doubtless the youth has accepted

Being adept in affairs of the kind, if i do not mistake him

What it is to be handsome and young and thus favored of women!'

Thus unto cosmo spoke wily marchesi and failed not to notice

Over the brow of the friend at his side a dark shadow was creeping

Noticed and inly rejoiced and continued his talk of franceso

Praising the youth as before and enlarging upon his attractions

Then as a close to his words very craftily added, 'my cosmo

You should know best and no doubt you are right in returning to-morrow

Truly so tender and loving a wife as is yours must be lonely

Go if you will, as for me i will hunt by myself awhile longer.'

Little said cosmo the rest of that day to his friend and companion

Dark was his brow as the clouds that drive over the sky in a tempest

Heavy his heart with the weight of suspicion that suddenly lodged there

So on the morrow he turned his face eastward and reached home at nightfall

Peaceful and quiet the short day had passed for bianca alberti

Busied with womanly cares and with no one at hand to distract her

Paola lippi with giulia had ere this returned to firenze

And on that day quite alone had she been till franceso at sunset

Came to the villa to beg her assistance in gaining the favor

Of his last love, the adorable, wonderful giulia donati

Glad was bianca to find where his wishes now pointed and promised

All in her power to incline to his suit the dear friend of her girlhood

Loud was the youth in his thanks as they sat in the loggia together

While the bright moonlight streamed over their faces and one in the garden

Watched them with wrath in his heart and a tremulous hand on his dagger

So passed an hour, and franceso departing sped down to the garden

Trusting to find at the entrance his charger awaiting its master

Crimson and white was his garb as of old, and his cap with its tassel

Lightly was tossed on a head that was full of a lover's bright fancies

Singing a song was the youth as he passed down the garden, and cosmo

Wholly unheeded by him, came behind with his dagger and ended

With but one thrust the sweet song and the harmless young life of the singer

Crimson and white were the colors franceso in life had most favored

Crimson and white in his death lay the blithesome franceso bordoni

Long had lain dormant the turbulent passions of cosmo alberti

Dormant and harmless they seemed until roused by the wily battista

Fiercer than ever the tempest that now raged unchecked in his bosom

Tempest awakened at first by the devilish craft of marchesi

Tempest now roused to full height when before him lay lifeless franceso

Dragging bordoni away from the path he strode up to the villa

Entered and meeting his most trusted servant, arnoldo sacchetti

Told him in brief what had chanced and then charged him to keep the dread secret

Bidding him also to safely conceal the dead form of franceso

Then with a smile on his lips straightway passed to the rooms of bianca

Glad was bianca when cosmo she saw and most tender her welcome

Tender moreover was he and the fire that had now blazed so hotly

Seemed to have sunk into ashes so loving and gentle his manner

Doubted he then for a moment, so genuine seemed her affection

Whether the deed were well done that had ended the life of franceso

Till there returned the suspicions marchesi in him had implanted

But to bianca his look at that time betrayed nothing but gladness

And in her joy at his coming no mention she made of franceso

Even when days past away and no more was he seen at the villa

Absent just then from firenze was luigi bordoni, his uncle

So that the youth was not missed from the city except by companions

Young like himself, and who fancied him absent on some lover's journey

Troubled in spirit was cosmo, perceiving no trace in bianca

Of the dismay he had looked for when day after day brought no lover

Troubled in spirit, yet not the less fixed in his direful purpose

Purpose which waited in silence the moment most fit for disclosing

More than a week past away when one morning bianca said lightly

'what can have chanced to franceso? he seems to have left us entirely

When you were absent, my cosmo, he came every day to the villa

That was when giulia donati was here, whom he loves beyond measure.'

'he will be with us this even at supper,' said cosmo in answer

'full of a lover's excuses, no doubt, to account for his absence.'

Even was come and together they past to the hall of the banquet

Where on the table a cover was laid for the coming franceso

'shall we not drink to the health of your amorous cousin, bianca

Ere he arrives at the villa?' and gladly bianca assented

Then at a sign from his master arnoldo sacchetti brought forward

Rarest of wines and moreover a silver-rimmed skull for a goblet

This to bianca he gave and alberti said gently, 'bianca

It is a fancy of mine you should drink from that goblet this evening

Not the most pleasant of fancies, 'tis true, but you will not refuse me?'

Somewhat reluctant at first, but assured by the words of her husband

Quickly she drank and arnoldo sacchetti announced at that moment

'messer franceso bordoni,' and opened the doors of a closet

There with a mantle of crimson and white hanging loose from the shoulder

Stood a grim skeleton awful and white in the down-streaming lamplight

Frozen with horror bianca stared rigidly forward while cosmo

Eying her sternly, burst forth in his passion: 'your lover, franceso

Waits for you there in his closet: why linger so long ere you greet him?

That is his skull which you drank from, a pleasing love-token he sends you

Strange that you shrink from him now whom you lately preferred to your husband

What? have you nothing to say to the amorous youth who adores you?'

Slowly bianca arose and then turning to cosmo said firmly

'never in word or in deed have i sinned 'gainst the bond that unites us

Him you have slain was no lover of mine. i was yours and yours only

Happy was i in your love and i foolishly deemed it eternal

Were i the woman you think, i might readily crave your forgiveness

Being the innocent wife that i am, i now leave you forever.'

Scarcely the sentence was uttered ere she who had spoken fell lifeless

Dying heart-broken, and he whose accusings had suddenly killed her

Stood there alone, for sacchetti had vanished, alone with bianca

Now when too late he believed in her innocence wholly, entirely

Now when too late he perceived the abominable craft of marchesi

Now in his anguish, by furies pursued, he fled into the forest

Empty the villa alberti henceforward, for no one would dwell there

Gone was its master and no one knew whither for many years after

Till as it happened a hunter pursuing a deer near carrara

Found in a desolate hollow two skeletons lying together

Locked in a deadly embrace, and by shreds of their clothing and jewels

Knew them for cosmo alberti and crafty battista marchesi

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