Lassare il velo o per sole o per ombra

I have not seen you, lady,

donna, non vi vid'io

leave off your veil in sun or shadow,

poi che in me conosceste il gran desio

since you knew that great desire in myself

ch'ogni altra voglia d'entr'al cor mi sgombra.

that all other wishes in the heart desert me.

Mentr'io portava i be' pensier' celati,

While I held the lovely thoughts concealed,

ch'ànno la mente desïando morta,

that make the mind desire death,

vidivi di pietate ornare il volto;

I saw your face adorned with pity:

ma poi ch'Amor di me vi fece accorta,

but when Love made you wary of me,

fuor i biondi capelli allor velati,

then blonde hair was veiled,

et l'amoroso sguardo in sé raccolto.

and loving glances gathered to themselves.

Quel ch'i' piú desïava in voi m'è tolto:

That which I most desired in you is taken from me:

sí mi governa il velo

the veil so governs me

che per mia morte, et al caldo et al gielo,

that to my death, and by heat and cold,

de' be' vostr'occhi il dolce lume adombra.

the sweet light of your lovely eyes is shadowed.