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Gaetano Cipolla 257
“Dialogue between Cecco and Becchina” translated by
Michael Palma
--Becchina, dear!--What now, you lying scum?
--Forgive me, love--You don’t deserve to be.
--Mercy, by God-- How humble you’ve become.
--And I’ll be true.-- Huh! Where’s my guarantee?
--In my good faith.-- Since when do you have some?
--I have for you.-- Don’t try that, or you’ll see!
--How have I sinned?-- I heard some things, you bum.
--Tell me them, love. -- Go have a stroke for me!
--You’d have me die?--If I live to see it toto.
--Your words are wrong.--You’ll teach me how to talk.
--And then I’ll die.--Too bad it isn’t true!
--God pardon you. -- Why don’t you take a walk?
--Would that I could!--Am I holding on to you?
--You hold my heart.-- And I will make it squawk.
“Dialogue between Cecco and Becchina” translated by Onat
Claypole
Becchin, my love — What now, you cheating fool?
Forgive me, dear —Not even on your knees!
Have mercy, for God’s sake!— You’re sorrowful!
And thus I’ll stay — What guarantees?
My own good faith — You haven’t much of that.
Not toward you — You are trying to appease?
What did I do? — You know I’ve heard the lot.
Please, tell me, love— May you catch a disease!
You want me dead? —That won’t be soon enough!
An awful thing to say — You’ll teach me flatteries!?
So I will die! — Alas, that’s just a bluff!
May God forgive you! — What? You are still there?
If only I could leave! — Who’s holding your chemise?
You hold my heart —To make you pay, I swear.