Alfred de Musset, poet and writer in Venice (1810 - 1857)

Sonnet

Béatrix Donato was the sweet name of the one
whose earthly form had this divine outline.
In her white bosom was a faithful heart,
And in her spotless body, a straightforward spirit.

The son of Titian, to make her immortal,
Painted this portrait, witness to their mutual love;
Then he stopped painting from that day on,
Not wanting to illustrate anyone else with his hand.

Passers-by, whoever you are, if your heart knows how to love,
Look at my mistress before you blame me,
And tell me if, by chance, yours is as beautiful.

See how little glory there is in this world,
Since, beautiful as it is, this portrait is not worth
(Believe me) a kiss from the model.”
Alfred de Musset 1838

The Son of Titian - Sonnet

When I read Petrarch as a child,
I wished to share in his glory.
He loved as a poet and sang as a lover;
He alone knew how to use the language of the gods.

He alone had the secret of capturing in passing
The beating of the heart that lasts a moment;
And, rich with a smile, he engraved its image
With the tip of a golden stylus on a pure diamond.

O you who speak kindly to me,
Who wrote it yesterday and will forget it tomorrow,
Remember me who thanks you for it.

I have Petrarch's heart, but not his genius;
Here on earth, all I can do is give my hand
to those who call me, to those who love me.”
Alfred de Musset - 5 May 1838.

Song

“To Saint Blaise, at the Zuecca,
You were, you were so happy
At Saint Blaise's.
At Saint Blaise's, at the Zuecca,
We were so happy there.

But will you remember
Will you take the trouble?
But will you remember
And come back,

To Saint Blaise, at the Zuecca,
To pick verbena in the flowery meadows,
To Saint Blaise, at the Zuecca,
To live and die there!”
Alfred de Musset - Venice, 3 February 1834.