Alone and thoughtful, through the most desolate fields, I go measuring out slow, hesitant paces, and keep my eyes intent on fleeing any place where human footsteps mark the sand.
I find no other defence to protect me from other people’s open notice, since in my aspect, whose joy is quenched, they see from outside how I flame within.
So now I believe that mountains and river-banks and rivers and forests know the quality of my life, hidden from others.
Yet I find there is no path so wild or harsh that love will not always come there speaking with me, and I with him.
(Transl. by A. S. Kline)
Solo et pensoso i più deserti campi vo mesurando a passi tardi et lenti, et gli occhi porto per fuggire intenti ove vestigio human l’arena stampi.
Altro schermo non trovo che mi scampi dal manifesto accorger de le genti, perché negli atti d’alegrezza spenti di fuor si legge com’io dentro avampi:
sì ch’io mi credo omai che monti et piagge et fiumi et selve sappian di che tempre sia la mia vita, ch’è celata altrui.
Ma pur sí aspre vie né sí selvagge cercar non so ch’Amor non venga sempre ragionando con meco, et io co’llui.
