Samuel Waddington, comp. The Sonnets of Europe. 1888.
I Ask the SkyGiovanni Crescimbeni (16631728)
Translated by James Glassford, of Dougalston
Io chiedo al Ciel.
Io chiedo al Ciel.
I
With hand so high against his God rebelled?
It answers, Man; and when he struck the blow,
In blackness of eclipse the sun I held.
I ask the Ocean: heaving from below,
Man, it replies; by Man He was compelled
To suffer thus, and with convulsive throe
Unwonted tides my lowest channel swelled.
I ask the Land: with long and bitter groan,
Man shook me to the centre, is its cry;
And still upon my face the marks are shown.
To Man, whose laughing hours in pleasure fly,
To man, incensed I turn: proud Man alone,
Tossing his lofty head, makes no reply.