THE SONNETS OF TOMMASO CAMPANELLA

I.

THE PROEM.

Io che nacqui dal Senno.

Born of God’s Wisdom and Philosophy,
    Keen lover of true beauty and true good,
    I call the vain self-traitorous multitude
    Back to my mother’s milk; for it is she,
Faithful to God her spouse, who nourished me,
    Making me quick and active to intrude
    Within the inmost veil, where I have viewed
    And handled all things in eternity. 
If the whole world’s our home where we may run,
    Up, friends, forsake those secondary schools
    Which give grains, units, inches for the whole! 
If facts surpass mere words, melt pride of soul,
    And pain, and ignorance that hardens fools,
    Here in the fire I’ve stolen from the Sun!

II.

TO THE POETS.

In superbia il valor.

Valour to pride hath turned; grave holiness
    To vile hypocrisy; all gentle ways
    To empty forms; sound sense to idle lays;
    Pure love to heat; beauty to paint and dress:—­
Thanks to you, Poets! you who sing the praise
    Of fabled knights, foul fires, lies, nullities;
    Not virtue, nor the wrapped sublimities
    Of God, as bards were wont in those old days. 
How far more wondrous than your phantasies
    Are Nature’s works, how far more sweet to sing! 
    Thus taught, the soul falsehood and truth descries. 
That tale alone is worth the pondering,
    Which hath not smothered history in lies,
    And arms the soul against each sinful thing.

III.

THE UNIVERSE.

Il mondo e un animal.

The world’s a living creature, whole and great,
    God’s image, praising God whose type it is;
    We are imperfect worms, vile families,
    That in its belly have our low estate. 
If we know not its love, its intellect,
    Neither the worm within my belly seeks
    To know me, but his petty mischief wreaks:—­
    Thus it behoves us to be circumspect. 
Again, the earth is a great animal,
    Within the greatest; we are like the lice
    Upon its body, doing harm as they. 
Proud men, lift up your eyes; on you I call: 
    Measure each being’s worth; and thence be wise;
    Learning what part in the great scheme you play!

IV.

THE SOUL.

Dentro un pugno di cervel.