The Vatican Observer
September 1515

Mostra - Last call for submissions

Next month there shall be a Festival of Art at the Palazzo di Venezia.

Signor Esteban Gabriel Merino is delighted to announce that the musical director for the event shall be Maestro Facente.

Any artist wishing to exhibit should contact Signor Merino by the end of this month.

Food for Thought

Miei amici, you may recall that the relatively slender provender of last month's gatherings left various persons with little else to do but argue, with the result that several formal debates were scheduled for this past month.

Well. Bishop Rinaldo Leonardo Amadeo de Gregori opened the month's gatherings with one of his famous dinners and entertainments, at The Quirinal. As he forbade no one to attend, and as many have indicated that they would be sad indeed to miss one of these revels, a goodly portion of Roma's Factions and adherents attended, despite the virtual certainty of meeting rivals there. And meet they did!

Which only goes to show that it is very Italian to end up having arguments with almost anyone and everyone.

Attending upon the host and his hostess, Francesca, were Ugo Blatti and Valentina, Alberto di Miteli and Sandra, Bartolomeo Gagliardi (notably solo), Damiano Octavio Nero d'Alba (likewise), Jerome Ficolo and Sophia, Marco Gabbiadini and Antonella, Marco Vicenzo Penaccini and Lusanna, Umberto Tarentella and Chiara, Vincenzo dei Gambetti and Antonia, Vincente di Scotti and Lucia, Vittorio Gregorio Magliano and Costanza and Valentino Clementi (also solo).

Oddly, some rumour was circulating that Deacon Clementi and Bishop de' Gregori had already cause for a debate, owing to some action of Clementi's in the first week. Considering the recent cooperation between the Bishop and the Borgia faction, this seems most odd indeed. It would be unlikely that the Borgia would thank Clementi for driving a wedge between the Borgia and the Farnese.

The Bishop is known for setting a gladsome table, and this evening was no exception. His chosen theme: a countryside dinner. Well, if the people of the countryside can afford to have their simple fare produced with such supreme culinary skill and in such quantity, accompanied by what seemed like most of the contents of a wine cellar, then it is time to move back out again, even if the heat is gone.

The menu: Roast capons and other birds, stuffed with bread, onion and green garden herb dressing. Peppercorns available for fresh grinding. Light, freshly-baked rolls. Olive oil of the first pressing for dipping. Three different kinds of olives, some natural, some prepared or stuffed. Spelt flour dumplings cooked with eggs and cheese. Brazier-grilled country sausages basted thinly with garlic and honey. Salad of cucumber, lettuce, shallots and celery, with a variety of flavoured oil-and-vinegar dressings.

Lightly steamed combination of broccoli, baby squash and cauliflower, with a dash of oil and grated chestnut. And to finish: fruit tarts, sesame squares (made simply by pressing the seeds in wild thyme honey), pastry pockets filled with raisin mince and soaked in syrup of figs, also cheese of the Appenine region. The elegance of the food was certainly in the preparation and the deliberate understatement, which allowed the true flavours to be appreciated, rather than smothered in ostentatious sauces or variations.

While dinner and conversation flowed, hired musicians played for part of the meal, though not intrusively enough to stem conversation.

Rumour has it that de'Gregori spent a heavy premium of extra ducats to ensure that all would be perfect. And if conversation and animation continuing until nearly sunrise the next morning is any indication, it was.

Two artworks were also on display. Lucio Malvezzo chose to flatter his commissioner with a truly splendid stained glass representation of the consecration of Bishop de'Gregori, with angels suspended above the ceremony, indicating the approbation of heaven. Bishop de'Gregori will have the piece installed as a window at his estate for the nonce, unless a more suitable venue for display suggests itself. Guests marvelled at the stirring blend of colour and light and shadow.

As well, an illuminated manuscript by Vincente di Scotti was on display. It was entitled "Pasquino Speaks with Madama Lucrezia", and was purchased by de'Gregori due to fond memories of the Papal competitions. There were many polite comments regarding the workmanly nature of the piece.

As the evening continued with the unabated interest of the guests, number of people succumbed to Bacchus, with varying results. Bartolomeo Gagliardi became tipsy and spread a little largesse to the Quirinal staff, which displeased no one. Umberto Tarentella decide that Fortuna favoured him and proved himself correct at the tables, to the tune of a few ducats and some cheers from onlooking guests. This prompted exhibiting artist Vincente di Scotti to do the same: alas, Fortune did not smile upon him and, although he tried to shrug off his annoyance at losing a moderately large sum, some murmurs were heard from other guests. Marco Gabbiadini apparently had some sort of divine visitation, for he attempted to speak in tongues for at least a half hour, becoming somewhat voluble when no one wanted to listen. It is likely that the slight damage to his reputation will be forgotten quickly; this is not his habit.

For those who remained to the end, there was a small troupe of professional mummers, suiting their improvisations to the temperament of the guests.

As mentioned at the outset, there were a plethora of debates, all save the de'Gregori-Clementi one stemming from Factional rivalries: Rinaldo Leonardo Amadeo de Gregori and Marco Vicenzo Penaccini, Vincenzo dei Gambetti and Marco Vicenzo Penaccini, Damiano Octavio Nero d'Alba and Marco Vicenzo Penaccini, Bartolomeo Gagliardi and Ugo Blatti, Valentino Clementi and Ugo Blatti, Vincente di Scotti and Ugo Blatti, Alberto di Miteli and Marco Gabbiadini.

Were it not custom that multiple causes between the same persons be resolved by only a single debate in the following months, luminaries such as Rinaldo Leonardo Amadeo de Gregori , Marco Vicenzo Penaccini and Ugo Blatti would be busy preparing arguments for the next few months.

In the third week of the month, Ugo Blatti and Valentina hosted a party, also at The Quirinal. Converging for convivial conversation were Alberto di Miteli and Sandra, Marco Gabbiadini and Antonella, Marco Vicenzo Penaccini and Lusanna, Umberto Tarentella and Chiara, and Vittorio Gregorio Magliano and Costanza. Those of reasonable social stature were the host's guests; other provided their own fare and sat in.

The food and drink were wholesome, but the conversation was the focus of the evening. Most uncharacteristically, and providing a welcome bit of scandal during the proceedings, Marco Vicenzo Penaccini surrendered his wits to the goblet and demeaned Umberto Tarentella's presentation of his point of view at the table-- neither had heretofore shown any animosity at all, so all knew it was the grape speaking. Still, an insult is an insult: it was agreed that they would work things out in a debate.

Other than that delightful incident, the only other debate arose due to Factional rivalry, between Alberto di Miteli and Marco Gabbiadini.

To round out the month, Andrea del Carnevale's and Maddalena held a celebration of The Second Council of Nicaea, yet once more at The Quirinal. Attending this iconic conclave were Alberto di Miteli and Sandra, Ugo Blatti and Valentina, Bartolomeo Gagliardi, Damiano Octavio Nero d'Alba, Jerome Ficolo and Sophia, Marco Vicenzo Penaccini and Lusanna, Umberto Tarentella and Chiara, Vittorio Gregorio Magliano and Costanza, and Rinaldo Leonardo Amadeo de Gregori and Francesca. As the sobering topic of this gathering was the seventh ecumenical council of Christianity, which met in 787 to restore the honouring of icons, the guests remained likewise. Despite the theme, the gathering was lively as an invited scholar related the politics and surrounding circumstances of the Council with no little wit.

To enhance the evening, food and wines from the region of Constantinople were served and enjoyed by all. Though only those of reasonably high social stature were the guests of the hosts at dinner, most elected to purchase the same fare from the staff.

Several were heard to remark that this evening was a fresh breath of air, reintroducing the concept of the dinner gathering as a social and discerning discussion group.

Nonetheless, representing the honour of their Factions meant that Bartolomeo Gagliardi and Ugo Blatti, Damiano Octavio Nero d'Alba and Marco Vicenzo Penaccini, and Rinaldo Leonardo Amadeo de Gregori and Marco Vicenzo Penaccini all had cause, many of them for the second or third time that month.

E finito.

Around the Markets

The markets of Rome are abuzz with the hum of commerce, of Rome's finest citizens enjoying the many and variefold fineries she has to offer. With so many factions returned from the Summer's missions many followed the example of Major d'Alba and wasted but little time in replenishing the supplies of their households. The Major spent two whole weeks just wandering the markets and bazaars, soaking up the sights of this most glorious of cities and making choice purchases of food, wine and other household comestibles. Similarly engaged was Canon Gagliardi, who continues to add to his enviable cellar full of fine foods and rare wines, word has it he intends a feast soon and if his recent purchases are anything to judge by it should be a fine affair indeed.

Deacon Penaccini by contrast raided those same wine shops for the cheaper vintages, but was seen also to frequent some of the better Venetian glassblowers in order to purchase the finest of goblets from which to drink his finds. The Papal Mathematician, Lucio Malvezzo, himself a Venetian glassblower of some renown, is said to have offered some words of advice to the Deacon in matters of quality to be considered when selecting glasswear. The Deacon rounded off his month with a selection of sweetmeats and pastries for his companion, Lusanna.

Deacon Clementi, a known ally and friend to Canon Gagliardi, outdid his factional superior in matters culinary at least by buying ingredients for all manner of dishes Hungarian, French and Spanish as well as our own native Roman. Not only this, but the Deacon was seen to buy new robes, his own apparently having shrunken in some manner and no longer fitting as once they did. Finally, though not least, in a spirit of charity all might do well to emulate he donated funds to the orphanage which raised him and was kind enough to take some small children therefrom and give them position in his household as servants, so bringing fortune to those young charges and to his erstwhile home in one munificent gesture.

Captain del Carnevale spent his stipend renewing his wardrobe, which if truth be told had faded somewhat over the Summer months. Now all agree that he is the very image of the young guardsman about town and many senior clerics were heard to remark how well he fills his new stockings. In similar vein, Padre Blatti was seen sparing no expense in provisioning new robes for the boys of his choir, ensuring that each young lad was properly fitted and apparelled. Truly, his dedication to his young flock is second to none.

Maestro Facente continues to be the model of taste and discernment, spending his own monies on writing materials, candles, lamp oil as well as on his usual duties to his landlord, stabler and the Church. It is said that the Maestro purchases only the finest of parchments, clearest of oils and finest of beeswax candles so that he may work late into the night on new compositions. In contrast to many, the Maestro does not spend rashly on matters of vanity and the flesh, his only vice being his remaining attachment to that most peculiar of drinks, Indian tea.

Major Gabbiadini, flush from victory in his many debates, bought a new dress for companion Antonella in celebration and was seen commissioning coaches to transport him to his many social engagements of the month. Which takes us to Bishop de Gregori, at whose function Major Gabbiadini was to be seen stepping forth from his new carriage. The Bishop spent the month in preparation for that very party, at which it is said the tables were so replete as to near collapse under the weight of his largesse. His attention was not just for his table however, the Bishop saw that his companion Francesca had no cause for complaint in seeing the new fashions sported by Antonella, Francesca bearing new pieces of jewellery and clothes made of rare imported fabrics so that with Antonella the two presented as the very model of how the fashionable Roman woman should dress today.

Court Companionship

It appears that some young men have taken my words and twisted them somewhat. In particular, one Valentino Clementi, a Deacon in the Borgia faction, has reached rather above himself. After finding her quite a remarkable and knowledgeable woman, he attempted to impress Francesa, the companion of the Farnese Bishop and Aide to the Delegation Leader, His Excellency Rinaldo Leonardo Amadeo de Gregori. Deacon Clementi brought with him a collection of religious writings gathered from Spain and France over the last six months. Before he could demonstrate his ability to actually read the texts, however, she took exception to this attempt at coercing her attention away from the Bishop and threw him out on his ear. Her words describing his dubious ancestry and base intentions were loud enough for much of the neighbourhood to overhear and soon came to the attention of His Excellency.

To cap off the affair, Deacon Clementi blithely attended the Farnese Bishop's party the following week. Unfortunately, I was not able to overhear their words upon their meeting, although I am certain that His Excellency was quite polite in such a setting. That may change when next the twain meet.

On the other hand, young Jerome Ficolo also spent the first week looking for a companion. Unlike Signor Clementi, however, he set his sights on one more attainable. Having collected some fine scrolls of some small value, he set out to learn court secrets from Sophia. She, unattached at the time, decided that she liked the Deacon's bearing and manner and agreed to show him some of the ins and outs. He spent several hours in her company and left looking quite pleased.

Court and Social

The Pope will host the following events at the Medici Palace, Florence
In the first week: Conclave
In the fourth week: Grand Ball

Positions Vacant

Director of the Collegio Romano
Eloquence Instructors

Upcoming Debates

RLAG v VC (over Francesca) RLAG/MVP (faction rivalries)
VdG/MVP (faction rivalries)
DONA/MVP (faction rivalries)
BG/UB (faction rivalries)
VC/UB (faction rivalries)
VdS/UB (faction rivalries)
AdM/MG (faction rivalries)
MVP/UT (MVP's drunkenness)

Applications

The Ludovisi Faction, having determined that the venerable Canon En Primo was too fragile to continue active participation within the faction, persuaded their member to retire to a more contemplative life. Indeed, both Canon En Primo's vision and hearing have steadily deteriorated most dramatically. The position will be taken up by Padre Blatti, a much younger and vigorous man in whom the Ludovisi have great confidence.

Padre Magliano sought a more direct advancement within the Aldobrandini Faction urging Canon N. Quarto to resign his position. In this matter the Canon rebuffed any attempts at persuasion. It has been rumoured that Padre Magliano was supported by Bishop de Gregori of the Farnese, as several poems near Il Pasquino have intimated. Yet, there is no proof that the Bishop has used his position to interfere in the affairs of another faction.

Men of the Cloth / Men of Steel

His Holiness sent a relatively small delegation to Bologna at the request and invitation of His Eminence Cardinal de Medici, the Legate of that city. This was done not only to show a degree of support for His Eminence, but to demonstrate a degree of respect for the citizens of Bologna. The city has been reluctant to fully embrace its position within the larger Papal Territory since its acquisition in 1506 by Pope Julius II. Much of this minor friction is understandable because of Bologna's many fine institutions of education, its importance in the trade of wine, meat, and its previous independence.

The hosting of the Delegation was more than mere courtesy, or the site of ecclesiastic debate. In the main, its purpose was the establishment of His Eminence as Legate and the recognition of Bologna as a city of importance. The matters of taxation, importation, exportation, and the dispensation of secular law were given the greatest importance in order to win the loyalty of the landed gentry and merchants.

The Delegation Leader Cardinal N. Quintus and the Assistant Delegation Leader Patriarch N. Sextus were given appropriate accommodations at His Eminence's official residence, the Rocca di Galliera. As all persons will know this is also the principle administrative building of Bologna, fitting for the role of discussion and negotiations with the prominent men of the city.

Because of his former position as Secretary to Cardinal de Medici it was given to Padre Zamboni to speak on the virtues of His Eminence which he did with great wit and eloquence stating that His Holiness would not have sent his own cousin if He did not regard Bologna as a vital part of the Papal State. Further, His Eminence who had experience in banking, and the highest regard for the Arts and Education would assure the continued prosperity of Bologna.

In political affairs it is often more effective for one to speak well of another than for one to extol his own virtues. Thus Padre Zamboni's oration was met with great approval by the gentlemen of Bologna. Cardinal de Medici was so pleased that he generously rewarded his former secretary and mentioned him most favourably in private correspondence with His Holiness.

The Missionary Faction had little to do with such secular matters. The majority of their time was spent in developing cordial relationships with the Bishop of the Basilica of San Petronio and others of lesser prominence. To the great humiliation of the Faction, and to himself, Deacon Dal Pozzo of the Albani was found entertaining a common flower girl in his quarters. Such lapses are not tolerated by Bishop N. Quarto, and the Deacon was summarily defrocked.

Idleness often leads to such ignominious behaviour. Admittedly, Bologna is a city of great charm, and therefore numerous distractions. The Papal Scholars, who had many opportunities to delve into the archives and libraries, were not free from shame. Even as Bishop N. Seis, Canon Seeks, Padres N. Sexieme and En Cinque were examining such new compositions and treatises as could be found. Deacon En Tre and Deacon N. Fore were discovered together in the most sinful congress. Both were sent to Roma in disgrace to face the judgment of the Inquisitor regarding such an abomination. Sub-deacon En Due has been promoted to fill the vacancy. While Sub-deacon N. Drei has been dismissed for incompetence and will return to Innsbruck. The reliable lay cleric Stefano Zanetti was mentioned in official reports for his work regarding the liberalization of the tax code.

To the great consternation of all word arrived at the end of the month that Francois I had crossed the border and was marching on Milano. The prospect of France controlling the main city for the manufacture of all iron and steel in Italia is of great concern, marring an otherwise very productive month.

Battle at Marignano!

At the conclusion of one of those inflammatory exhortations with which the cardinal of Sion was accustomed to harangue his countrymen, the resolution was adopted instantly to attack the French, although only about two hours of day-light remained. By a rapid and unexpected march the whole body of the Swiss presented themselves before the French encampments at Marignano, on the 13th day of September, 1515. The attack immediately commenced. Their impetuosity was irresistible. The intrenchments were soon carried, and a part of the artillery was already in the hands of the assailants. As the French recovered from their surprise, they began to make head against their adversaries, and the horse joining in the action, a dreadful engagement took place, which continued with various success and great slaughter to a late hour of the night. During this contest Francis was in the midst of the battle and received several wounds. The bandes noires, whom the Swiss that threatened with total extermination, contributed with the French Gendarmerie to retrieve the loss. The darkness of the night, although it did not terminate the contest, rendered it for a time impossible for the combatants to proceed in the work of destruction; and an involuntary truce of some hours took place, during which both parties kept the field, impatiently waiting for that light which might enable them to renew the engagement. Accordingly, with the dawn of day the battle again commenced, when it appeared that the French monarch had availed himself of this interval to arrange his artillery, and to reduce his troops into better order than when they had been attacked on the preceding day. The vanguard was now led by the Sieur de Palisse with 700 lances and 10,000 German infantry. The body of the army under the royal standard was commanded by the king, and consisted of 800 men at arms, 10,000 Germans, 5,000 Gascons, and a large train of artillery directed by the duke of Bourbon. Trivulzio led the corps de reserve, which consisted of 500 lances and 5,000 Italian infantry. The light infantry, under the command of the Sieur de Chita and the bastard of Savoy, brother of the king, were ordered to act as circumstances might require. The attack of the Swiss was now supported with unshaken firmness. A detachment which was inteneded to surprise the right wing of the French army was intercepted by the duke of Alencon, and pursued by the Basque infantry of Pietro Navarro, who put every man to the sword. After having resisted the charge, the French became the assailants. Francis at the head of his Gendarmes first made an impression on their line; but the numbers of the Swiss were so great, and their courage and discipline so exemplary, that he would in all probability have been repulsed, had not D'Alviano at that moment rushed into the midst of the combat, at the head of a small but select and intrepid body of cavalry, and by the cry of Marco, the war signal of the Venetians, given new courage to the French and dispirited the ranks of their adversaries, who conceived that the Venetian army had at this juncture joined in the engagement. After sustaining the contest for several hours, the Swiss were obliged to relinquish the palm of victory; but even under these circumstances they had the firmness and resolution to form in regular order, and to quit the scene of action under such discipline, that the French monarch, whose army was exhausted by watchfulness and fatigue, did not venture on a pursuit. Weakened by intestine divisions, deserted by their allies, and defeated by the French, they hastened to Milan, where they demanded from the duke such subsidies as they knew he was wholly unable to pay. This, however, afforded them a sufficient pretext for withdrawing themselves altogether from the theatre of war, and leaving their Italian allies to the mercy of the conquering army.

Extract taken from William Roscoe's "Life of Leo X"

Debates

Gentle readers, four engagements this month, four I tell you! Let us all rejoice that once more the streets and piazzas of Rome are so filled with learned discourse and witty exchange.

September's engagements were all matters of factional rivalry, with that noted master of the art of debate Major Gabbiadini facing no less than three members of the Barberini. Regular readers of this humble record will recall well how often the good Major has defeated his rivals and one can only wonder at the trepidation the mere mention of his name must cast into the hearts of the members of that most illustrious of factions.

Major Gabbiadini, in a fit of humour perhaps, chose to encounter all three men on the Ponte S.Angelo, where of late a number of itinerant artists and poets have set up residence hoping to attract the custom of those passing by. Choosing as the subject of his debate the tale of David and Goliath he chose to argue that the lesson to be learnt from this tale was that the Lord favoured the courageous over those who had mere power, for power is of itself a temporal thing of brief worth.

First to respond came Padre Zamboni, who began cautiously by setting out for all present the story of David by which exercise it seemed he hoped to gain much needed time with which to gather this thoughts and to prevent the Major from launching the swift rhetorical attacks for which he is so famed. This tactic proved of little avail, just as the good Padre was explaining how the warriors of Israel had quailed at the prospect of facing the seeming invincible Goliath the Major quipped that the Barberini must well understand how those Israelites had felt, for just as they had known terror that day the Barberini must surely apprehend their own defeat each time a member of the Chigi faced them. Padre Zamboni was lost in confusion as laughter erupted all around, and so clearly was the thread of his argument lost he was forced to withdraw so ceding the argument to the Major.

Next stepped forth Captain del Carnevale, like the Major a Swiss Guardsman but junior in rank and contrary in factional interests. The Captain continued where Padre Zamboni had paused, proposing that it was quite erroneous to state that David had been favoured for his courage when all men of wisdom knew in truth David had been rewarded for his faith. Many present seemed to consider this a point of some substance, but all too quickly the famed wit of Major Gabbiadini once again held the day as he commented that David had need both of courage and faith while the men of the Chigi no longer had need of courage having defeated the Barberini so many times in debate that there was no longer anything left to fear in such encounters. Once again laughter came forth, the subtler point of the Captain was lost and he too was forced to withdraw.

Then came Padre Negri, last of the Barberini that day to face their dreaded foe. The good Padre began as had his clerical brother by setting out the facts of that long ago day in which David triumphed. As he did so, Major Gabbiadini essayed another witticism this time commenting how David had faced but one foe while he had to face a veritable legion to gain his victory. By this point, sadly, so many had been the jibes against the Barberini that the mood of the crowd had begun to shift and few were found to laugh at this latest sally. Heartened by this unexpected survival, Padre Negri proposed that although David's courage was undeniable it was the courage born of faith and without faith such courage could not prosper. Major Gabbiadini sought to correct this proposal, indicating that the same parable could speak to two qualities, both faith and courage, at which point it seemed to those present that the men had agreed and left themselves but little room for further dispute. Accordingly, this final bout was agreed an honourable draw and so it was the Barberini left the field with some measure of pride intact, though once again the Chigi and more particularly Major Gabbiadini remain undefeated.

The final, but by no means least, engagement of the day lay between Deacon Dal Pozzo of the Albani and Padre Magliano of the Aldobrandini. Their chosen topic was whether the presence of sacred art in church offended against the proscription on graven images issued to Moses upon the mount. Padre Magliano agreed to argue the harder case, that Church patronage of artists was of itself sinful and an error. He began with no small cunning, commenting that since it was clear His Holiness could not be in error the question truly was whether the praise given to such images in the Eastern church offended against the commandments and whether in avoiding the use of such icons the Pope had showed as ever that he was truly the supreme and most rightly appointed pontiff. Deacon Dal Pozzo, clearly taken aback by this twisting of the argument, attempted to propose that the issue was not one of art or icon but of worship and that either work could be a route to true understanding or a barrier depending on whether it be remembered that the image is but an aid and has no power of its own. This argument proved of little value, for the nimble work of Padre Magliano had made it seem that by this venture Deacon Dal Pozzo was arguing that the Eastern faith had the same value as our own, hardly a treatise likely to win acclaim.

Swiftly, as Deacon Dal Pozzo attempted to represent his points, Padre Magliano reprised by proposing that if art were a sin then the recently completed ceiling to the Capella Sistina was also sinful and idolatrous but this could not be so, for no man who had seen it could recognise it as any other than the work of the Holy Spirit through man. Preferring to concede defeat than denigrate such a work, Deacon Dal Pozzo granted his opponent the victor's laurels and retired the field.

And so it was, a month filled with debate and erudition that all might wonder at. We can but humbly hope that this month to come will give forth similar riches.

O Rossignuol

O Rossignuol ch'in queste verdi fronde
sovra 'l fugace rio fermar ti suoli,
e forse a qualche noia ora t'involi
dolce cantando al suon de le roche onde;
alterna teco in not'alt'e profonde
la tua compagna, e par che ti consoli.
A me, perch'io mi strugga e pianti e duoli
versi ad ognor, nissun gia mai risponde,
ne di mio danno si sospira o geme.
E te s'un dolor preme,
puo ristorat unaltro piacer vivo,
ma io d'ogni mio ben son cass'e privo

O nightingale who favours a perch among
those green boughs, above the swift-flowing river,
maybe you are now hiding from some secret pain,
sweetly singing above the raucous sound of the waters;
your mate sings both high and low notes
in harmony with you, and seems to comfort you.
Yet although I suffer and weep and lament
without cease, no one answers me,
nor does anyone sigh or shed tears over my grief.
And if some sorrow touches you,
another of life's pleasures will take its place,
but I am deprived of all that I love.

Pietro Bembo