Pianto Antico by Giosuè Carducci

L’albero a cui tendevi
la pargoletta mano,
il verde melograno
da’ bei vermigli fior,

nel muto orto solingo
rinverdì tutto or ora
e giugno lo ristora
di luce e di calor.

Tu fior de la mia pianta
percossa e inaridita,
tu de l’inutil vita
estremo unico fior,

sei ne la terra fredda,
sei ne la terra negra;
né il sol più ti rallegra
né ti risveglia amor.

Ancient Tear by Giosuè Carducci

The tree to which you stretched
your tiny hand,
the green pomegranate tree
with lovely vermilion flowers,

in the silent, empty garden
has just come back to green
and June revives it again
with light and warmth.

You flower of my plant,
battered and withered,
you, of my useless life
the last, the only flower,

you are in the cold earth,
you are in the black earth;
the sun cannot bring you joy
and love cannot reawaken you.

[English translation: Paola Merli]

The 4th movement, Ancient Tear, incorporates the poem Pianto Antico by Giosuè Carducci (1835-1907); the recorded narrator is Tarcisia Young (née Fariselli).