Emperor Frederick II, from Poi ch'a voi piace

from "Love, since it's your will"

Love, since it's your will
I improvise and sing,
to this task I'll bring
my sum of power until
I thrive in your regard.
To you I give my heart—
with all my hope I plead
that I may do the deeds
you wish the most, to please you.
I never shall release you,
since you're a worthy lady
for loving sweetly made:
I kneel to beg that one so fine
will heal my heart by being mine.

*

translation ©1999, 2001 Leonard Cottrell. All rights reserved.

Poi ch'a voi piace, Amore,
ch'io deggia trovare,
faro onne mia possanza
ch'io vegna a compimento.
Dato aggio lo meo core
in voi, madonna, amare,
e tutta mia speranza
in vostro piacimento.
E non mi partiraggio
da voi, donna valente,
ch'io v'amo dolcemente,
e piace a voi ch'io aggia intendimento.
Valimento mi date, donna fina,
che lo mio core ad esso voi s'inchina.

Federigo II, Palermo 1194-1250