Friendship with Guido

Ivan Aivazovsky Stormy Sea at Night 1849

Guido, I wish that Lapo, you, and I
were carried off by some enchanter’s spell
and set upon a ship to sail the sea
where every wind would favour our command,
so neither thunderstorms nor cloudy skies
might ever have the power to hold us back,
but rather, cleaving to this single wish,
that our desire to live as one would grow.
And Lady Vanna were with Lady Lagia
borne to us with her who’s number thirty
by our good enchanter’s wizardry:
to talk of love would be our sole pursuit,
and each of them would find herself content,
just as I think that we should likewise be.     
(Richard Lansing trans.)

Guido, i’ vorrei che tu e Lapo ed io,
fossimo presi per incantamento
e messi in un vasel ch’ad ogni vento
per mare andasse al voler vostro e mio;
sì che fortuna od altro tempo rio
non ci potesse dare impedimento,
anzi, vivendo sempre in un talento,
di star insieme crescesse il disio.
E monna Vanna e monna Lagia poi
con quella ch’è sul numer de le trenta
con noi ponesse il buono incantatore:
e quivi ragionar sempre d’amore,
e ciascuna di lor fosse contenta
sì come credo che sarémo noi.