“So, in the time when virtue bloomed
In lords and cavaliers of old,
We lived with joy and courtesy,
But then they fled down distant roads
And for a long time lost the way
And nevermore returned; but now
The winter and sharp winds are gone,
And virtue blossoms as before.”

—  Matteo Maria Boiardo , book Orlando Innamorato

Così nel tempo che virtù fioria
Ne li antiqui segnori e cavallieri,
Con noi stava allegrezza e cortesia,
E poi fuggirno per strani sentieri,
Sì che un gran tempo smarirno la via,
Né del più ritornar ferno pensieri;
Ora è il mal vento e quel verno compito,
E torna il mondo di virtù fiorito.
Bk. 2, Canto 1, st. 2
Orlando Innamorato

Original

Così nel tempo che virtù fioria Ne li antiqui segnori e cavallieri, Con noi stava allegrezza e cortesia, E poi fuggirno per strani sentieri, Sì che un gran tempo smarirno la via, Né del più ritornar ferno pensieri; Ora è il mal vento e quel verno compito, E torna il mondo di virtù fiorito.

Orlando Innamorato

Adopted from Wikiquote. Last update June 3, 2021. History

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Matteo Maria Boiardo 8
Italian writer 1441–1494

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