Notes About The Poem
This is the second part of the first canto of Moderna Commedia. The first terzina is the repetition of the last one of part 1 to join the two parts.
Moderna Commedia, Canto 1, Part 2
Egli in tal modo il proprio carro aggancia
A quello del bieco suo alleato
Che adesso verso l’est la sfida lancia.
He in this way his chariot hooks
To the one of his awry ally
Who now to east his challenge throws.
Contro la Russia l’esercito è inviato
Con l’intenzione di una guerra lampo
Ma il mezzo al fine appare inadeguato.
Against Russia the army is directed
Having in mind a sort of a blitzkrieg
But the means appears inadequate.
Dapprima l’avanzata trova campo
E la stagione buona ben promette.
Triste un destino incombe senza scampo.
At first the invasion occurs easy
And the season is well promising.
Hard a destiny is looming all up.
Giovani alpini ostentan le stellette
Ma vestono scarponi di cartone
Che non copron dal freddo chi li mette.
Young alpine soldiers show their stars
But are wearing cardboard boots
Which do not defend them from frost.
L’esercito ora incontra opposizione
Mentre l’inverno con la neve avanza
E presto nasce angoscia e confusione.
The army now meets opposition
While winter with snow is coming on
And soon anguish and confusion take place.
Or gli aggrediti menano la danza
Colpendo gli invasori mal condotti
E d’ogni mezzo afflitti da mancanza.
Now the attacked play their role
Hitting the invaders with a bad command
And hardly lacking of any means.
I soldati a fuggire sono indotti
Invano ormai, dal gelo son colpiti
E molti di essi a morte son ridotti.
Soldiers to escape are now compelled
In vain however, by frost affected
And many of them are reduced to die.
Alcuni dei soldati son feriti
E trovano ricetto in casolari
Dove vengono accolti ed assistiti.
Few soldiers are injured
And find shelter in farmhouses
Where are welcomed and assisted.
L’umana carità non trova pari
Quando al nemico tendi la tua mano
Gli dai soccorso e ad amarlo impari.
The human charity cannot be compared
When to the enemy reach out your hand
Give him the rescue and learn to love him.
Pensando a ciò non sembra troppo strano
Che in vicende di guerra e di dolore
La vita ancora assuma un senso umano.
Thinking to this does not seem strange
That in events of war and pain
Life has still a human meaning.
Se prevale la forza dell’amore
Uomini e donne posson esser grandi
Vincendo ogni sospetto, ogni timore.
If is prevailing the force of love
Men and women can be really great
Winning any suspicion, any fear.
Mi par che questo bel messaggio mandi
Quella gente comune senza storia
Che per amor sa eludere i comandi.
It looks to me that a nice message is sent
By common people with no history
Who for love is able to bypass commands.
Copyright © Mario De Paz | Year Posted 2013
Post Comments
Poetrysoup is an environment of encouragement and growth so only provide specific positive comments that indicate what you appreciate about the poem. Negative comments will result your account being banned.
Please
Login
to post a comment