La rapresentazione di Santo Lorenzo quando fu martirizato

La rapresentazione di Santo Lorenzo quando fu martirizato
No indication has survived of any performance in Florence of a play of St Lawrence. The
festivities for the patron of the Basilica of San Lorenzo, in the heart of Medicean territory,
were lavish, and a confraternity of San Lorenzo existed there from the beginning of the
fifteenth century; its connections were such that it could borrow ropes and pulleys for its festa
from the building site of Santa Maria del Fiore,1 but there is no trace of plays in its surviving
records.2
But a play of San Lorenzo was performed in Empoli. A precious indication of how
individual actors prepared for the play is found in the Ricordanze of Francesco di Matteo
Castellani, a Florentine merchant who is even more attentive than most to the individual
items of his wardrobe. On the eve of Calendimaggio, or May Day, 1460, Francesco recorded:
On 30 April I lent Taddeo di Nello, the blacksmith, my black velvet cloak lined with taffeta, my dark tunic,
lined with belly fur, and a scarlet cover for riding, for the play of San Lorenzo they are performing in
Empoli. He took them himself, and he said he will bring them back safely by 5 May next.
[Later:] I received the above items on 4 May. He brought them back himself just as he had received them.3
In Empoli, St Lawrence enjoyed a certain prestige, though less than that accorded to the
city’s patron saint, St Andrew.4 On 10 August of the same year, for the feast day of the first
Roman martyr, the play was performed again. On this occasion Francesco entrusted to his
estate manager, Mariotto di ser Antonio da Empoli, sumptuous items of male and female
clothing (quite inappropriate to the season), as well as rugs, tapestries, and bench covers with
his coat of arms; he also solicited cloaks and dresses from his friends to lend to Mariotto:
I record that on 9 August Mariotto di Ser Antonio took the following things that I lent him for the play of
San Lorenzo that they are doing in Empoli. First:
a black velvet cloak of mine, lined with red taffeta;
a camlet overdress with a hood and Lombard-style sleeves, with borders of purple velvet and gauze
around the bottom and lined with grey cloth;
an overdress of crimson velvet with tight sleeves, not lined, but faced with fine white cotton: it belongs to
Lena;
a tapestry with figures, 9 braccia long;
a green forest tapestry, 9½ braccia long;
three bench covers with my coat of arms, that is two big lined pieces and one smaller one, unlined.
1
«Item quod provisor dicti Operis possit mutuare taglias et canapos societati Sancti Laurentii de Florentia pro faciendo
festum Sancti Laurentii etc.», Florence, Archivio dell’Opera di Santa Maria del Fiore, II 1 74, f. 6v, Deliberazioni (web site
«Gli anni della Cupola», www.operaduomo.firenze.it/cupola/ home.html).
2
I. Ciseri, Scenari festivi a San Lorenzo: apparati, cerimonie, spettacoli, in San Lorenzo: i documenti e i tesori nascosti, ed.
L. Sebregondi and others (Venice: Marsiglio, 1993), p. 70, scheda 2.5.
3
Francesco di Matteo Castellani, Ricordanze. I: Ricordanze A (1436–1459); II: Quadernuccio e Giornale B (1459-1485), ed.
G. Ciappelli (Florence: Olschki, 1992–95), II, p. 90.
4
According to the Statuto del comune di Empoli (1428), «Capitolo delle ferie» [Rubrica XX], the feast of St Andrew, patron
saint and protector of the Comune, was celebrated the four days before 30 October, and the four days afterwards, while St
Lawrence (10 August) was celebrated for two days before and two afterwards; see Statuto e riforme del popolo di
Sant’Andrea (1416-1441), ed. F. Berti e M. Guerrini (Empoli: Comune di Empoli, 1980; Fonti e studi di storia Empolese 2).
In the Collegiate church of Sant’Andrea in Empoli, which was damaged by German mines in July 1944, the chapel of San
Lorenzo was situated between the High Altar and the chapel of the Immaculate Conception, and was formerly the chapel of
the San Lorenzo confraternity, very large company “that excelled in piety and decorum among those which existed in
Empoli”; translated from Benedetto Pincetti, La cappella di San Lorenzo nell’Insigne Collegiata d’Empoli: trattenimento
letterario dato nell’istituto comunale il 30 luglio MDCCCLXVI (Florence: Tip. Calasanz., [1867], p. 12, digital copy:
www.comune.empoli.fi.it/biblioteca/fulltext/opus/035/016.htm
San Lorenzo 2
And in addition he took a big piece of cloth, 4 braccia long and two wide, with fine blue stripes, to bundle
the clothes in.
He took the following things belonging to Piero Alamanni:
a cloak of green damask lined with white taffeta;
an overdress of purple satin velvet with a scalloped border fringed with purple and silver silk.
And in addition I received from Iacopo Alamanni these things which I lent to Battista Zeffi by way of
Lottieri di Mariotto, on 7 August:
an overdress of purple damask, lined with white cloth, with hem and edging finished in ermine;
a jacket of green velvet with the trousers, and the jacket and the cloak were wrapped in big cloth with
green stripes.
And in addition Mariotto received a big cover, 7 braccia long, from my bed.
[Later:] On 14 August, Mariotto sent these things back except the rug and two of the bench covers, and he
swapped a big piece cloth, 4 ½ braccia long with green stripes, as noted above.
5
[Later:] And on 17 August he sent back the rug and the two bench covers: Piero di Fortino brought them.
The costumes for the play of San Lorenzo are luxurious and contemporary, without any
attempt to reproduce classical garb. The festaioli produced a scene adorned with the tapestries
and curtains of a world much richer than their own. But despite these links with the wealthy
families that sponsored and protected them, San Lorenzo, like other rappresentazioni in the
second half of the last decades of the fifteenth century, is the manifestation of popular and
voluntary devotion.
The source of he play is almost certainly the life of St Lawrence in Jacobus de Voragine’s
Golden Legend.6 While Jacobus fusses about authority and chronology, the dramatist accepts
that the action takes place in the time of the Emperor Decius, and then follows legend
closely.
La rapresentatione di sancto Lorenzo quando fu martyrizato was printed by Bartolomeo de’
Libri, in his R97/1 type, and thus before Septemberr 1495. Early bibliographers dated it to
1486,7 which would make it one of the earliest printed rappresentazioni (the earliest dated
edition is Feo Belcari’s Abramo, printed by Bartolomei de’ Libri on 24 October 14858); the
current ICCU listing gives c. 1493–1494. The text was prepared with a care that is
exceptional for the period: hyper- and hypometric lines, that characterize texts of this period,
are almost absent, and the text is particularly clean and legible.
The edition that follows is based on the copy in Florence, Biblioteca Riccardiana, Ed. R.
68612.
5
Castellani, II, p. 109-10.
Jacobus de Voragine, The Golden Legend: Readings on the Saints, trans. William Granger Ryan (Princeton, NJ:
Princeton University Press, 1993), 2: 63–74.
7
Florence, Biblioteca Riccardiana, Ed. R. 686,12 with two woodcuts. On c. 2r, the title is reformulated: Queste sono le stanze
della rapresentatione di sancto Sixto papa & di sancto Lorenzo suo diacono. The dating should perhaps be changed to
1490–1495. The earliest printed rappresentazioni, c. 1485–1490, do not contain the woodcuts of the annunciating angel and
the culminating scene of the play; these appear only in the last decade of the century, when Bartolomeo de’ Libri begins to
reprint the titles that had already been published by Antonio Miscomini, and to add new ones.
8
A. Cioni, Bibliografia delle sacre rappresentazioni (Florence: Sansoni Antiquariato, 1961; Biblioteca Bibliografica Italica
22), III.2, p. 64. The handsome Bonaccorsi edition , now in Paris, BNF, which Cioni deemed to be the princeps, carries no
date.
6
Characters9
ANGEL who recites the Prologue and the Epilogue
VALERIAN, the Prefect of Rome
DECIUS, the Emperor
ST SIXTUS, the Pope
FELICISSIMUS and AGABITUS, deacons
KNIGHT, in the service of Decius
ST LAWRENCE
CIRICA, an ailing widow
CRESCENTIUS, a blind man
JUSTINUS, a priest
PARTHENIUS, Tribune of the Plebs
HIPPOLYTUS, vicar of Decius
LUCILLUS, a blind man
AN ANGEL who comforts St Lawrence
ROMANUS, a knight of the Emperor
BARONS and HOUSEHOLD of Valerian
GUARDS and EXECUTIONERS
PRIESTS OF JOVE
CHRISTIANS and PAUPERS
DEVILS
THE SOULS OF HOLY INNOCENTS who appear in a vision
Places
PALACE OF VALERIAN
PALACE OF DECIUS
TEMPLE OF JOVE
TEMPLE OF MARS that falls in ruin
MAMERTINE PRISON
HOUSE OF CIRICA THE WIDOW, on Monte Celio
HOUSE OF N ARCISSUS
HOUSE OF PATRICIUS
PROPERTIES
KEYS to the treasury
TREASURE to distribute as alms
BAPTISMAL FONT
TOWELS
IDOL IN THE TEMPLE OF JOVE that is destroyed by lightning
A COLUMN, To which St Lawrence is chained
A THRONE in the temple of Jove
SCORPION WHIPS, A CHAIN, METAL PLATES, LEAD BALLS and STONES, for the torture of St Lawrence
A METAL GRATE on which St Lawrence is burnt
ST LAWRENCE’S BIER and TOMB
9
There is only one speaking part for a woman, that of the widow Cirica. If the costumes of 1460 are in
any way related to this text, then we may hypothesize that women were a defining element in the court
of the emperor, even if they did not speak.
LA RAPRESENTAZIONE DI SANTO LORENZO A1r
QUANDO FU MARTIRIZATO
THE PLAY OF THE MARTYRDOM OF ST
LAWRENCE
BARTOLOMEO DE’ LIBRI’ S WOODCUT OF ANGEL, RIGHT HAND RAISED; NO BOTTOM BORDER
WOODCUT OF ST LAWRENCE ON THE GRILL; EMPEROR ON THRONE; SERVANT WITH FORK; SERVANT WITH BASKET OF
COAL ON HIS SHOULDERS; JEW WITH POINTED HAT AND FORKED BEARD AND LONG HAIR; ARCH IN BACKGROUND.
Queste sono le stanze della rapresentazione di
santo Sisto papa e di santo Lorenzo suo diacono.
In prima UNO ANGELO appare e annunzia la festa
e dice così:
O divoti cristian che qui presenti
siate venuti per voler vedere
cosa che ’l vostro desider contenti
a qualche bello e honesto piacere,
schifando gli altri dubbiosi accidenti
che fanno l’uomo in peccato cadere,
i’ vi conforto e da Dio qui venuto
dalla suo parte tutti vi saluto.
Costor vi mosterran quanto sia accetto
all’alto Dio chi ’l serve di buon core
e quanto più gli piace chi ha ’n dispetto
la carne propria, che per lo suo amore
ogni martir a lui gli par diletto
lasciando ’l mondo cieco e pien d’errore,
come a san Sisto e Lorenzo vedrete
s’attenti con buon cor tutti starete.
VALERIANO ch’era prefetto di Roma e di Decio
imperadore si parte dal palazo suo e co’ suo
baroni e famiglia va a visitare Decio imperadore e
dice così:
Andiàno, o baron miei, a visitare
lo ’mperadore al suo magno palazo,
sì come gli altri giorni sogliàn fare,
per dargli spasso, allegrezza e sollazo;
siché fate al presente ragunare
qui trombetti, il famiglio e il ragazo.
Andiàno or che si sarà levato
da riposarsi, come gli è usato.
VALERIANO prefetto, giunto al palazzo, visita lo
’mperadore e dice così:
O principe suppremo e serenissimo,
Cesar Augusto Decio nominato,
signor sopra signori escellentissimo,
Giove conservi il tuo felice stato,
contr’a’ nimici tuoi vittoriosissimo
sempre ti facci e come s’è usato
dimostrar voglia tua virtù sovrana
e perseguir la ria secta cristiana.
DECIO risponde a Valeriano:
O buon Valerian, degno prefetto
dell’alma Roma e nostro sacro impero,
seguir vogliàn con ogni nostro effetto
A2r
These are the stanzas of the play of St Sixtus the Pope
and of St Lawrence his Deacon. First an Angel
appears and announces the play and says as follows:
8
O devout Christians, who have come
to be present here because you want to see
something that will satisfy your desire
with some beautiful and honourable pleasure,
while avoiding those other risky matters
which cause mankind to lapse into sin,
I bring you consolation, and sent by God
I greet you all on his behalf.
16
These people will show you how acceptable
to almighty God is the man who serves him willingly,
and how much more He delights in the man
who despises his own flesh, since for love of Him
every martyr finds it a delight
to the blind and sinful world,
as you will see with St Sixtus and Lawrence,
if you all pay close and willing attention.
24
VALERIAN, who was Prefect of Rome under Emperor
Decius, leaves his palace and goes with his nobles
and his attendants to visit Emperor Decius and says
as follows:
Let’s go, my nobles, to visit
the Emperor in his great palace
just as we usually do on other days,
to bring him pleasure, joy and delight;
so gather together now at once
trumpeters, my servant and my page.
Let’s go now, because he will have risen
from his nap, as is his custom.
32
VALERIAN the Prefect reaches the palace and goes to
visit the Emperor and says as follows:
O supreme and most serene prince,
Caesar Augustus Decius by name,
most excellent Lord over all Lords,
may Jove preserve your state in happiness,
and make you always victorious
against your foes, and as ever
may you show your sovereign virtue
and persecute the wicked Christian sect.
DECIUS replies to Valerian:
Good Valerian, worth prefect
of fair Rome and of our holy empire,
we wish to follow in every detail
San Lorenzo 5
el tuo consiglio maturo e sincero,
sì ch’al tutto si spenga il maladetto
seme cristian disceso da quel Piero
che s’appellava vicario di Cristo
come al presente si fa chiamar Sisto.
Segue Decio:
Ma perché prima in ciascun nostro affare,
nanzi si dia principio a nessun atto,
doviàn l’aiuto delli dei invocare,
sanza ’l qual nulla mai venne ben fatto,
però sù presto, fate congregare
i sacerdoti al tempio e ciascun atto
che si richiede. Faccian sacrificio,
poi attenda ciascun al suo officio.
40
A2v
48
your mature and sincere advice,
in order to extinguish completely the accursed
Christian progeny begot by that Peter
who called himself the vicar of Christ,
as Sixtus does in the present day.
DECIUS continues:
But since, in everything we do,
before we embark on any action,
we must call on the Gods’ assistance,
without which nothing was ever done well,
therefore be quick and call the priests
to assemble at the temple, with all the neccessary
people. Let them make their sacrifice,
then let each go about his business.
Ora e sacerdoti, parati a l’usanza degli infedeli,
fanno sacrificio al tempio di Giove in presenza
dello imperadore e di tutta la baronia ma in
mentre che si mettono a ordine al sacrificio SAN
SISTO PAPA, avendo persentito la persecuzione che
Decio e Valeriano volevano fare di tutti i cristiani,
ragunò tutto il chericato suo dove era Felicissimo
e Agabito suoi diacani e, confortandogli con
pazienza a sostenere ogni martirio per Gesù
Cristo, così dice loro:
Now the priests, robed in the style of the infidels,
make their sacrifice in the temple of Jove, in the
presence of the Emperor and all his nobles, but while
they are preparing the sacrifice, ST SIXTUS THE POPE,
having heard news of the persecution that Decius and
Valerian wanted to wage against all the Christians,
gathered together all the clergy, among whom were
Felicissimus ad Agabitus his deacons, and exhorting
them to bear their martyrdom for Jesus Christ with
patience, he says to them:
Cari frategli in Cristo e figliuo’ miei,
Agabito perfetto e Felicissimo,
sentito, credo, arete quanti rei
tormenti cerca darci il crudelissimo
Decio tiranno acciò ch’e falsi dei
loro adoriàno e neghiamo ’l santissimo
Cristo Gesù, vero Figliuol di Dio;
ma prima vo’ morir che negarlo io.
56
My dear sons and brothers in Christ,
perfect Agabitus, and Felicissimus,
I think you will have heard of all the cruel
and wicked torments the most cruel tyrant
Decius is trying to inflict on us, so that we
will worship their false gods and deny the most holy
Christ Jesus, the true Son of God,
but I will die before I deny him.
64
So I urge each of you
to bear every cruel torment
just as so many saints before you
have borne them for wanting to follow
Christ Jesus and his disciples.
Be prepared, each of you, to suffer
every cruel torment, harsh and atrocious,
for him who redeemed us on the cross.
72
FELICISSIMUS AND AGABITUS reply, weeping and
sighing:
Dear father most holy and merciful,
true shepherd of the Christian flock,
you are the one who governs us so excellently,
and instructs us in the holy law;
without you, father, we can do nothing.
Your holy virtue guides and rules us,
so without you, father, where will we go?
O woe, alas, how will we manage?
Così conforto ciaschedun di voi
a sostener ogni crudel martire
sì come tanti santi nanzi a voi
han sostenuto per voler seguire
Cristo Gesù e ’ discepoli suoi.
State parati ciascuno a patire
ogni crudel tormento aspro e atroce
per chi ci comperò in su la croce.
FELICISSIMO E AGABITO rispondono piangendo e
sospirando:
Padre nostro santissimo e clemente,
vero pastor della cristiana gregge,
tu se’ che ‹ci› governi ottimamente
tu ci ammaestri nella santa legge;
sanza te, padre, non possiàn nïente.
La tuo santa virtù ci guida e regge,
dunque sanza te, padre, ove n’andreno?
Miseri a noi, omé, come fareno.
SISTO a’ discepoli risponde:
El sommo redentor nostro piatoso
sarà sempre con voi, figliuol diletti.
Egl’è possente e misericordioso,
SIXTUS replies to the disciples:
Our great Redeemer, full of pity,
will always be with you, beloved sons.
He is mighty and merciful, he grants
San Lorenzo 6
la gloria etterna dona agli suoi eletti
e forti vi farà nel pauroso,
aspro tormento; se pria mondi e netti
da ogni colpa e dal mondo fallace
disciolti, a voi dara l’eterna pace.
80
eternal glory to his chosen ones,
and he will make you strong in the harsh and fearful
torment. Once you are cleansed and purged
of all sin and detached from the false world,
he will give you eternal peace.
DECIO IMPERADORE dice a Valeriano:
Po’ che gli è fatto el santo sacrificio,
o buon Valerian degno e perfetto,
fa’ che per virtù tua e del tuo officio
Sisto menato sia nel mio cospetto
a purgar la suo infamia e ‹’l› pravo iudicio
ch’io ho contra di lui. Fa’ quel c’ho detto.
EMPEROR DECIUS says to Valerian:
Now that holy sacrifice has been made,
good Valerian, worthy and perfect,
in your name and that of your office, have
Sixtus brought here before me
to purge his infamy and the wicked judgement
that I have made of him. Do what I have commanded.
VALERIANO al Cavaliere:
Sù, cavalier, fa’ che metta ad effetto
senza tardar lo ’mperial precetto.
VALERIAN to the Knight:
Come, knight, and have the imperial command
carried out without delay.
Ora con prestezza el Cavalier co’ birri pigliano
Sisto insieme con Felicissimo e Agabito e
appresentali innanzi a DECIO IMPERADORE el
quale dice a Sisto così:
O vecchierello, i’ ti vo’ consigliare
per la salute tua e di tuo gregge
ch’a nostri dii voglia sacrificare
e che rinieghi la cristiana legge.
SISTO risponde a Decio:
Cotesto non intendo mai di fare
I’ vo’ sacrificare a quel che regge
la terra e ’l cielo, ver Figliuol di Dio,
Cristo Gesù, perfetto Signor mio.
88
A3r
96
Now the Knight hurries with the guards to seize
Sixtus together with Felicissimus and Agabitus and
they bring them before EMPEROR DECIUS who says to
Sixtus as follows:
Little old man, I’ll give you some advice
for the sake of your health and your flock’s:
you should sacrifice to our gods
and renounce the Law of the Christians.
SIXTUS replies to Decius:
That’s something I have no intention of ever doing.
I’ll make my sacrifice to him who rules
earth and heaven, the true Son of God,
Christ Jesus, my perfect Lord.
DECIO dice a Sisto:
Deh, voglia seguitar al mio consiglio
acciò non pera tu con tutt’i tuoi.
Se nol farai, i’ ti veggo in periglio
sì grande intrar che guai a tutti voi.
DECIUS says to Sixtus:
Come, follow my advice
so that you don’t perish with all your followers.
If you don’t do it, I see you heading
into such great peril that it will overwhelm you all.
SISTO a Decio risponde:
El sommo Padre etterno, el santo Figlio,
collo Spirito Santo aiuterà noi,
a cui ho sempre in Santa Trinitate
offerte l’ostie pure immaculate.
104
SIXTUS replies to Decius:
The almighty Father eternal, the holy Son,
with them the Holy Ghost will help us all.
To them in Holy Trinity I’ve always
offered the host, pure and immaculate.
112
DECIUS to the Prefect Valerian and the Knights:
Since I see this old man’s crazy mind
is obdurate, and words are of no use,
have him taken at once to the temple
of the god Mars, and if he does not want
to sacrifice there to him, let him be imprisoned
in the Mamertine prison, which is usually
a safe place to hold him, so that
when I’m ready I can find him again.
DECIO a Valeriano prefetto e a’ cavalieri:
Po’ ch’i’ veggio el pensier folle indurato
in questo vechio, e non giovan parole,
nel tempio presto sia rappresentato
dello dio Marte, e se quivi non vuole
sacrificare a llui sia incarcerato
nella prigion di Marmentin, che suole
esser sicuro luogo a ritenerlo
sì che a mie posta il possa riaverlo.
E detto questo, e cavalieri colla famiglia prendono
Sisto co’ discepoli e menongli al tempio di Dio
Marte, e quivi dice EL CAVALIERE a Sisto così:
Se vuo’ la grazia dello imperadore
When he has spoken, the Knights and their servants
seize Sixtus and his followers and take them to the
temple of the god Mars, and there THE KNIGHT says
to Sixtus as follows:
If you want the Emperor’s grace,
San Lorenzo 7
e scampar te dalla morte crudele,
fa’ sacrificio a Marte di buon core,
a’ nostri dii prometti esser fedele.
and want to escape cruel death,
make a sacrifice to Mars willingly,
promise to be faithful to our gods.
SISTO risponde:
O insensati ciechi e pien d’errore,
credendo i’ lasci il dolce e pigli ’l fiele!
A’ vostri falsi dei sacrificare
non mi farete e ’l mie Gesù lasciare.
120
SIXTUS replies:
O blind fools, full of error,
to think I would abandon sweetness and choose gall!
You will not make me sacrifice
to your false gods and abandon my Jesus.
128
But you wretches, blinded by the devil,
who adore the vain deceiving gods
that are made out of stone or wood,
and are deaf and dumb and blind, and have no feeling
in hands and feet or any other limbs.
They are without speech, worse than dogs.
They are like the man who made them:
woe betide the man who trusts in them.
136
The true God, the highest deity
is He alone who created the world.
Heaven and earth and all living things
by him were made, and he alone shaped
our flesh, and in his goodness
breathed eternal souls into our bodies;
wherefore any man who will not believe in him
will lose both his soul and his body at once.
144
Therefore, o sons of God, created by him,
descended from him, and coming from him alone,
turn to believe in him, and in baptism
abandon the idols, blind and dumb.
If you are tortured by tyrants with cruel torment,
let none of you change your mind.
Be yet strong, and heavenly virtue
will make you immortal in all eternity.
Ma voi meschin, dal dimon accecati,
ch’adorate gli dii bugiardi e vani
che son di pietra o legno lavorati
e muti e sordi e ciechi e le lor mani
e ’ piè con gli altri lor membri insensati.
Sanza parlare e’ son, peggio che cani.
Simili sono a quel che fatti gli hane:
guai a colui che in lor si fiderane.
El vero Dio, la somma deitate
è sol colui che ’l secolo creone.
Cielo e la terra e le cose animate
da lui fur fatte e sol fu che fermone
la carne nostra e per la suo bontate
l’anime etterne nel corpo spirone;
dunque chi a llui creder non vorrane
l’anima e ’l corpo insieme perderane.
Però, figliuo’ di Dio, da lui creati,
da lui discesi e sol da lui venuti,
tornate alla suo fede e battezzati
lasciate andar gl’idoli ciechi e muti.
Se da’ tiranni sarete stratiati
con tormenti aspri, ignun di vo’ si muti.
State pur forti e la virtù superna
immortal vi farà in tutta etterna.
EL CAVALIER dice a’ compagni suoi:
Costu’ sta fermo in suo opinione
nonché di quella e’ si voglia mutare,
ma egli alletta a suo religione
quanti ne può, e cerca d’annullare
la legge nostra e però lui in prigione,
come imposto ci fu, si vuol cacciare
con questi suo seguaci e là starae
quanto allo imperadore nostro parrae.
Mentre che san Sisto è menato alla prigione SAN
LORENZO, abattendosi e vedendolo, dice a san
Sisto così:
Oimè, caro padre, ove ne vai
sanza ’l tuo figlio che tanto amasti?
O santo sacerdote, ove starai
sanza ’l diacan tuo che l’ordinasti?
Padre perfetto, tu sa’ ben che mai
sanza ’l ministro tuo sacrificasti.
Oimè, padre, perché m’abandoni?
Ha’ tu veduti in me modi non buoni?
Se tu per tuo ministro m’hai eletto,
152
THE KNIGHT says to his companions:
This fellow is holding fast to his opinion,
and certainly does not want to change his mind,
but he is enticing to his religion
as many as he can, and he is trying to bring
our law to nothing. Therefore, he’s to be thrown
in prison, as we were ordered,
along with these followers of his, and there he’ll stay
for as long as the Emperor sees fit.
160
As St Sixtus is being taken to prison, ST LAWRENCE
comes on the scene by chance and seeing him, says to
St Sixtus as follows:
Alas, dear father, where are you going
without your son whom you have so loved?
O holy priest, where will you stay
without your deacon whom you ordained?
Perfect father, well you know that you never
sacrificed without your minister.
Alas, father, why do you abandon me?
Have you found fault in what I do?
A3v
If you chose me as your minister
San Lorenzo 8
perché mi nieghi ch’io non venga insieme
a sparger teco il sangue e che ’l suggetto
segue ’l signor qual riverisce e teme.
L’avere il suo discepol in dispetto
nuoce al maestro, onde spesso ne geme.
Dunque, padre benigno, non lasciare
Lorenzo tuo, deh, nollo abandonare.
Abram offerse il suo figliuol a Dio
per sacrificio pio; e‹l› primo pastore
innanzi a sé mandò al martir rio
Stefan diacan suo, e tanto onore
di questo n’acquistò che Martir Prio
meritò nominarsi; e per lo amore
che tu, padre benigno, m’hai mostrato
deh, offera costui c’hai allevato.
Siché, sicuri el buon padre ‹e› il figliuolo
insieme in un medesimo tormento
muoian di pari ed in un martir solo.
Di questa voglia consumar mi sento
po’ racquistar con seco il sommo polo
la degna palma nel sacro convento
del paradiso insieme acompagnati
ad possedere el regno de’ beati.
SANTO SISTO dice a santo Lorenzo:
I’ non ti vo’ lasciar, figliuol mie buono,
e non creder giamai ch’i’ t’abandoni,
ma sendo vecchio, debil quanto i’ sono
legger battaglia e assa’ minor doni
ricever deggio, ma ’l superno truono
ti serba gran trionfi e maggior doni.
perché maggior battaglie sosterrai
così gloria maggior n’acquisterai.
Però ’l tuo pianto ormai raccheterai,
Lorenzo mio, e fa’ che tu sia forte.
Doppo tre giorni tu mi seguirai
vittorioso dalla crudel morte,
e questo spazio si confà assai
tra ’l sacerdote e ’l cherico. La sorte
con qualche numer debb’esser mediata
sì che ciascuna sia più esaltata.
Lascioti tutta la mia ereditate,
el tesor della chiesa, il qual dispensa
come parrà alla tuo voluntate
ne’ poveri di Dio, e alla mensa
di vita etterna sarà dupplicate
cento per uno e non far più difensa
del mie partir che quando Elia si sciolse
dal suo Eliseo, la virtù non gli tolse.
Et detto questo gli dà le chiavi del tesoro e vanne
in prigione, e santo Lorenzo piglia il tesoro e certi
panni e altre cose e vanne al monte Cellio in casa
Cirica vedova dove erano molti Cristiani al quale
CIRICA dice:
168
why do you refuse to let me come with you
to shed my blood with you, and to let the subordinate
follow the lord whom he reveres and fears.
Despising his disciple
harms the master, and causes him much grief.
So, benign father, do not leave
your Lawrence, please, do not abandon him.
176
Abraham offered his son to God
as holy sacrifice; the First Shepherd,
sent to cruel martyrdom ahead of himself
Stephen his deacon, who acquired
such honour for this that he earned the name
of Protomartyr; and for the love
that you, kind father, have shown me,
please, make an offering of him whom you raised.
184
So let the good father and the son
together in the same torment die
confidently as equals and in a single martyrdom.
I feel myself being consumed by this desire,
then conquering with him the highest pole,
the worthy palm, accompanied together
into the holy convent of paradise
to possess the kingdom of the blessed.
192
ST SIXTUS says to St Lawrence:
I do not want to leave you, my good son,
and do not think that I would ever abandon you,
but being as old and as weak as I am
I’m to receive light battle and far
lesser gifts, but the heavenly throne
reserves for you great triumphs and greater gifts
because you will wage greater battles
and thus you will acquire greater glory.
200
Therefore cease your weeping,
Lawrence, and be strong.
After three days you will follow me,
victorious over cruel death,
and this interval is very appropriate
between the priest and the cleric. Fate
must be mediated with some number
so that each is raised as high as possible.
208
I leave you all my inheritance,
the church’s treasure. Dispense it
as you see fit,
to God’s poor and at the table
of eternal life it will be doubled
a hundredfold, and make no attempt to stop
my departure, because when Elijah took his leave
from his Elisha, he did not take his virtue.
A4r
And when he has said this, he gives him the keys to
the treasury and goes off to prison and St Lawrence
takes the treasure and certain pieces of cloth and
other things and goes off to Monte Celio to the house
of the widow Cirica, where there were many
Christians, and CIRICA says to him:
San Lorenzo 9
O servo di Gesù, prendi pietate,
di questa poveretta ch’undici anni
ste’ col mie sposo e po’ in viduitate
trentadue sono stata in questi panni.
I’ sono afflitta dalla infermitate
del duol del capo e dammi tanti affanni
ch’i’ non posso trovar alcun riposo.
Libera me pel tuo Gesù piatoso.
216
O servant of Jesus, take pity
on this poor woman. For eleven years
I lived with my husband, and then I have lived
in these widow’s weeds for thirty-two years.
I am afflicted by illness,
with headaches, and it causes me such distress
that I can find no relief.
Set me free, in merciful Jesus’ name.
SANTO LORENZO risponde:
Se tu creder vorra’ nel mie Signore
Cristo Gesù e pigliar el battesimo,
liberata sarai d’ogni malore,
se viverai secondo el cristianesimo.
ST LAWRENCE replies:
If you will believe in my Lord
Christ Jesus, and receive baptism,
you will be freed from all suffering,
if you live according to Christianity.
CIRICA risponde:
Lorenzo santo, i’ credo di buon core
nel tuo signore come tu medesimo.
CIRICA replies:
Holy Lawrence, I believe willingly
in your Lord, as you do yourself
Allora LORENZO la batteza e dice:
Dunque nel nome suo sia battezata
e da ogni malor sia liberata.
224
Then LAWRENCE baptises her and says:
So be baptised in his name
and freed from all suffering.
232
And when he has said this, he gives her a piece of
cloth to keep, because he wants to wash the feet of
those Christians present, and he says:
Take this piece of linen you see here:
hold it in your hands while I
wash the feet of all these people
as just and faithful servants of God.
This commandment was given by Jesus,
our kind and holy Lord, to his heirs:
that one Christian should wash the feet of the next,
and that one should carry the weight of the next.
240
Having washed and kissed all their feet, he gives
them alms and says:
In the name of Jesus, and in love,
take these holy alms
that Pope Sixtus bequeathed to me
in his will, and as you will hear
I now must turn my steps towards
the castle of Canaan. Remain in peace.
I wish to go to the house of Narcissus:
I want to visit the Christians who are there.
248
ST LAWRENCE leaves and goes to the house of
Narcissus and when he arrives he distributes alms to
everyone and says:
May the peace of Lord Christ Jesus
be with you always, and in his love
I pray each one of you to
to sit down, and with devout heart
allow me to wash you. You deserve more,
I know, but may our kind
Lord Jesus make good what is lacking
in me, and give you perfect reward.
E detto questo gli dà uno telo che serbi perché
vuole a quegli cristiani vi sono lavar i piedi e dice:
E prendi questo linteo che vedi:
nelle tuo man lo serba tanto ch’io
a tutti quanti costor lavi i piedi,
come a’ giusti e fedel servi di Dio.
Questo comandamento a’ suoi eredi
lasciò Gesù, Signor benigno e pio:
che l’un cristiano all’altro i piè lavassi
e l’un dell’altro el pondo sopportassi.
Lavati e baciati a tutti li piedi, dà loro la limosina
e dice:
Per amor di Gesù in caritate
la limosina santa prenderete
che ’l papa Sisto nella ereditate
sua m’ha lasciato e come intenderete
al castel di Canan le mie pedate
far mi convien. In pace rimanete
In casa di Narcisso i’ voglio andare:
e cristian che vi son vo’ visitare.
Partesi SANTO LORENZO e va in casa di Narcisso e
giunto, dà la limosina a tutti e dice:
La pace del Signor Cristo Gesù
sia con vo’ sempre e per lo suo amore
priego ciascun di vo’ ch’a seder giù
si degni porre, e con divoto core
da me vogl’esser lavato, che più,
so, meritate ma el nostro Signore
Gesù benigno supplisca al difetto
di me e doni a vo’ merto perfetto.
Prendete in carità con divotione
questa santa elimosina e orate
Take these holy alms in charity
and with devotion, and pray
San Lorenzo 10
col cor contrito e la confessione
ch’ogni colpa commessa spesso fate.
with contrite heart, and make confession
often of all the sins you commit.
Poi si volge a Crescenzio cieco e dice:
Then he turns to Crescentius, the blind man, and
says:
And you, Crescentius, hear my words:
if you believed in the Trinity,
Father, Son, and Holy Ghost,
I would boast that I had restored your sight.
E tu, Crescenzio, intendi il mie sermone:
se tu credessi nella Trinitate,
Padre e Figliuolo e lo Spirito Santo,
di render lume a tte mi dare’ vanto.
CRESCENZIO risponde:
Omè, servo di Dio, deh non guardare
al mie peccato el quale è infinito.
Colle tuo man mi vogli battezare
acciò ch’i’ sia degli ochi mie guarito.
SANTO LORENZO ginochioni orando dice:
O Signor mie Giesù, non risguardare
a nostre colpe e ’l mio priego esaudito
sia or da te e come ’l cieco nato
così Crescenzio sia ralluminato.
256
A4v
CRESCENTIUS replies:
Alas, servant of God, pray do not look
at my sin, which is infinite.
Baptise me with your hands,
so that my eyes will be healed.
264
ST LAWRENCE kneels and prays, saying:
O my Lord Jesus, do not look
at our sin, and let my prayer be answered
now by you, and like the man born blind,
let Crescentius have his sight restored.
E detto questo, fa el segno della croce ‹e› lo
rallumina. CRESCENZIO, ralluminato, lieto
ginochioni dice:
Grazie ti rendo, o Signor de’ Signori,
Cristo Gesù, vero figliuol di Dio,
che sanza haver rispetto a’ mie errori
tu m’ha’ ralluminato, o Signor pio.
Having said this, he makes the sign of the cross and
restores his sight. CRESCENTIUS, his sight restored,
kneels joyfully and says:
I give you thanks, o Lord of Lords,
Christ Jesus, true Son of God.
Without regard for my sins
you have restored my sight, o holy Lord.
Santo Lorenzo si parte e dice:
O cari frate miei, ciascun adori
per santo Sisto che ’l tiranno rio
con grande strazio ritiene im prigione.
A Dio vi lascio e state in orazione.
272
ST LAWRENCE leaves, saying:
My dear brothers, let each now pray
for St Sixtus, who is being held in prison
by the wicked tyrant with great torment
I leave you to God: remain in prayer.
280
Having said this he leaves and goes to the castle of
Patricius where he finds many Christians, and among
them Justinus, a priest ordained by St Sixtus.
LAWRENCE greets them all, saying:
Christ Jesus, kind Son of God,
grant his peace to all.
Good Justinus, a priest worthy
to administer the holy sacrifices,
ordained by Sixtus, although I know
I am unworthy for such office, before
I attend to other things, I would ask
you to let me wash everybody’s feet.
E detto questo si parte e va nel castello di Patrizio
dove truova molti cristiani e tra loro Giustino,
prete ordinato da san Sisto, al quale LORENZO,
‹avendo› salutato tutti, dice:
Cristo Gesù, di Dio Figliuol benigno,
la pace sua vi doni a tutti quanti.
O buon Giustino, o sacerdote degno
da ministrare i sacrifici santi,
ordinato da Sisto e benché ’ndegno
a tale officio i’ mi conosca, avanti
ch’io ad altro attenda vi vorre’ pregare
che mi lasciate a tutti i piè lavare.
GIUSTINO a santo Lorenzo risponde:
Fa’ quel che vuoi, o Lorenzo perfetto,
ch’i’ son disposto volere ubidire,
giusta mie possa, ogni divin precetto.
del buon Gesù la dottrina seguire,
po’ voglio lavarti con puro effetto
im prima che da noi t’abbia a partire.
JUSTINUS replies to St Lawrence:
Do as you wish, o perfect Lawrence,
for I am prepared to obey,
as far as I can, every divine precept
and follow the teaching of good Jesus,
then I will wash you, with a pure heart,
before you have to go from us.
SANTO LORENZO dice così:
Contento son, Giustino, a quel che chiedi.
Orsù ciascun di voi mi porga i piedi.
ST LAWRENCE says as follows:
I am happy, Justinus, with what you ask.
Come, each of you put out your feet for me.
288
San Lorenzo 11
Et come ha lavato ‹i› piedi, Giustino gli lava a lui,
poi SANTO LORENZO piglia commiato, dando
prima loro la limosina, e dice così:
A te, padre Giustino, e gli altri tutti
quanto più posso Lorenzo acomando.
Pigliate della chiesa i santi frutti
a vo’ gli dono e stribuisco e spando.
A santo Sisto, ch’io lasciai con lutti,
vo’ ritornar con fretta caminando,
però ch’i’ temo che llo imperadore
morir nol faccia per più mio dolore.
In questo mezzo DECIO IMPERADORE comanda che
Sisto gli sia menato e dice:
Andate presto e Sisto mi menate
co’ discepoli suoi dalla prigione.
Qui nel cospetto mio l’apresentate
ch’io intendo di saper se d’oppinione
e’ s’è mutato, sed egli ha lasciate
sue fantasie e s’egli ha intenzione
seguir la suo fallace fé cristiana
la qual no’ riputiàn ria, falsa e vana.
Sisto con furia è menato a DECIO, el quale gli dice:
I’ non vo’ più con teco usar parole
ma bisogna con fatti dimostrarti
l’error tuo chiaro e s’egli è quel che suole
l’animo tuo bisogna apparechiarti
alla morte crudel, e la tuo fole
opinïon farà mal capitarti.
SISTO risponde a Decio e a Valeriano:
La morte mia sarà vita eternale;
la vostra sempre fia pena infernale.
296
And when he has washed their feet, Justinus washes
his. Then ST LAWRENCE takes his leave, after
distributing alms to them, and says as follows:
To you, father Justinus, and all the others
I commend Lawrence as much as I can.
Take the holy fruits of the church:
I give, distribute and spread them among you.
I’ll now return in haste to St Sixtus
whom I left in great distress,
because I fear that the Emperor will
put him to death to increase my suffering.
304
In the meantime EMPEROR DECIUS commands that
Sixtus be brought to him, saying:
Go quickly and bring me Sixtus
and his followers from prison.
Bring him here before me
because I intend to know whether he has changed
his mind, and whether he has abandoned
his fantastic ideas, and whether he intends
to follow his fraudulent Christian faith,
which we regard as wicked, false and empty.
A5r
312
Sixtus is led violently before D ECIUS who says to him:
I won’t waste words with you any more,
I have to show you your blatant error
with actions, and if it is the same as usual,
you’ll have to prepare your mind
for cruel death, and your foolish
ideas will make you come to grief.
SIXTUS replies to Decius and to Valerian:
My death will be eternal life;
yours will be infernal pain forever.
VALERIANO dice a Decio:
Quanto si credon di viver costoro
che gl’infernal tormenti ci han promesso.
Presto menati sien sanza dimoro
di nuovo allo dio Marte e lì appresso
inginochiato ciaschedun di loro
faccin per forza sacrificio espresso.
VALERIAN says to Decius:
How long to these men think they are going to live
if they promise us infernal torment.
Let them be taken at once, without delay,
again to the god Mars, and there,
with each of them on their knees,
let them be forced to sacrifice to him.
DECIO tutto infiammato dice:
Così si segua e se non voglion fare
la testa a tutt’i re fate tagliare.
DECIUS, all enraged, says:
Let it be done, and if they refuse
cut the heads off all three of them.
Data questa crudel sentenza dallo imperadore,
sono di fatto Sisto e Agabito con Felicissimo
menati al tempio di Marte e quivi SANTO SISTO fa
orazione a Dio e fa rovinare il tempio e dice così:
320
Ecco gl’idoli vostri muti e vani
di pietra ai quali voi meschin credete
e tutti vi morrete come cani,
di vita etterna el ben vi perderete.
When this cruel sentence has been given by the
Emperor, Sixtus and Agabitus, are led with
Felicissimus to the temple of Mars, and there ST
SIXTUS prays to god and makes the temple collapse
and says as follows:
Here are your stone idols, mute and empty,
that you wretched people believe in,
and you will all die like dogs,
and you will loose the benefit of eternal life.
SAN SISTO s’inginochia e dice:
Cristo figliuol di Dio vivo ti spiani
ST SIXTUS kneels and says:
May Christ, the living son of God, bring you
San Lorenzo 12
in terra e guasti in te ogni parete.
Dalla suo gran potenza sie disfatto:
come tu di’, così, padre, sia fatto.
328
Et detto questo el tempio rovina tutto e della
rovina escono diavoli gridando e Sisto co’
discepoli sono menati a dicollarsi. LORENZO gli
vede e dice a Sisto così:
to the round and may all your walls come down.
My you be destroyed by his great might:
as you command, father, so may it be done.
Deh, non mi abandonare, o padre santo,
però ch’io ho speso il tesor che mi desti
e ho fatto con fede tanto quanto
come tu, padre buon, mi commettesti.
As soon as he says this, the temple collapses
completely and out of the ruins devils come shouting,
and Sixtus and his followers are led away to be
beheaded. LAWRENCE sees them and says to Sixtus as
follows:
Ah, holy father, don’t abandon me,
because I have spent the treasure you gave me
and I have done faithfully everything
that you, good father, entrusted to me.
PARTEMIO, uno de’ baroni dello imperadore,
Tribuno della Plebe, dice a’ cavalieri che piglino
Lorenzo:
Pigliate con furor costui che tanto
contrario c’è. Or siate a questo presti!
Nella carcere mia il metterete,
domani a Decio po’ il presenterete.
336
PARTHEMIUS, one of the Emperor’s barons and
Tribune of the Plebs, tells the knights to seize
Lawrence:
Rush and seize that man who is so
against us. Be quick about it!
Put him in my prison,
then tomorrow you will bring him before Decius.
344
When Sixtus and his disciples have been beheaded,
certain faithful Christians come and they bury their
bodies and when this is done, PARTHEMIUS THE
TRIBUNE goes to the Emperor and says:
O holy and victorious Emperor
Decius Augustus Caesar, I must inform you
that the hidden treasure of the church
is held by a man the Christians call Lawrence.
I have him in prison, and if you want
to have it, he will be brought before you
and I’ll have him brought from the prison
where I’m holding him at your request.
Dicollati che sono Sisto e ’ discepoli, vengono
certi fedeli cristiani e seppeliscono i corpi loro e
fatto questo, PARTEMIO TRIBUNO va allo
imperadore e dice:
O sacro imperador vittorioso
Cesar Augusto Decio, sia avisato
che ’l tesor della chiesa ch’è nascoso
tiene un Lorenzo da’ cristian chiamato.
I’ l’ho in prigione e se desideroso
tu se’ d’averlo, e’ ti fie presentato
e farollo menar dalla prigione
dov’io lo tengo a tuo petizione.
DECIO risponde a Partemio:
Allegro son di quel che detto m’hai,
o buon Partemio e tutto ho ben inteso.
Tu con prestezza per lui n’anderai
ch’io voglio intender quanto egli ha offeso
la legge nostra, e tu, Partemio, sai
se gli dei nostri ha sempre vilipeso.
Ma i’ vogli’or che ci renda ’l tesoro
che tiene occulto della chiesa loro.
Segue e fa ordinare il sacrificio a Giove, loro dio,
e dice a’ sacerdoti così:
In questo mezzo, o sacri sacerdoti,
per osservare l’usanza nostra antica,
fate ordinar sacrifici divoti
allo dio Giove a cui laude si dica
ciò che si può, sì ch’egli adempia i voti
di noi, suo servi, e contro alla nimica
setta cristiana donici vittoria
a nostro gran trionfo e somma gloria.
E fatto il sacrificio, Lorenzo è menato a DECIO el
quale dice a Lorenzo:
Dimmi presto, Lorenzo, ove tu hai
el tesor della chiesa c’hai levato
352
DECIUS replies to Parthemius:
I am delighted with what you’ve told me,
good Parthemius, and I heed your words.
Go for him in haste,
because I want to hear how much he has offended
our law, and you, Parthemius, know
how he has always slandered our gods.
But now I want him to return
their church’s treasure that he is keeping hidden.
360
He continues, and gives orders for the sacrifice to
Jove, their god, and says to the priests as follows:
In the meantime, o holy priests,
to observe our ancient customs,
give orders for devout sacrifice
to the god Jupiter, to whom praise be given
as much as possible, so that he answers the prayers
of us, his servants, and against the enemy
sect of the Christian gives us victory
to our great triumph and highest glory.
A5v
When the sacrifice is completed, Lawrence is brought
to DECIUS who says to Lawrence:
Tell me at once, Lawrence, where are you keeping
the church’s treasure that you took
San Lorenzo 13
da Sisto e quanto è quel che fatto n’hai.
Tu non rispondi e par che tu sia muto.
Dimelo presto e se dir nol vorrai
dell’error tuo i’ ti farò pentuto.
Tu sta’ pur cheto e non par dica a tene:
se non mel di’, ne patirai le pene.
Santo Lorenzo sta pur cheto e D ECIO irato dice a
Valeriano:
Prendi costui, Valeriano prefetto,
fa’ che ’l tesor della chiesa ci mostri;
poi ’l fa’ sacrificar a ogni effetto
colla suo riverenza agli dei nostri,
e se nol vorrà far con suo dispetto
fa’ che per forza il suo error gli mostri
con martir aspri e tormentarlo forte.
Se ciò non gioverà gli daren morte.
VALERIANO dice a Ipolito, vicario dello
imperadore:
Ipolito, vicar del sacro impero,
prendi costui: in prigion lo terrai
cogli altri di sua setta e con mistero
e con buon modi come far saprai
t’ingegna di saper da lui il vero
del gran tesor che gli ha e s’el farai
ch’a Decio imperador sia consegnato,
tu ne sarai da lui ben meritato.
IPOLITO risponde a Valeriano:
Quel che comandi a me, Valeriano,
farò pur ch’io mi creda di far cosa
che piaccia al nostro imperador sovrano.
Non parrà questa pena faticosa
ed a Lorenzo di cheto e di piano
credo spiare dove tien nascosa
la facultà della chiesa e ’l tesoro
che Sisto gli lasciò, vescovo loro.
368
from Sixtus, and all that you have done with it.
You do not answer, and you seem to be dumb.
Tell me at once, and if you won’t confess
your sin, I’ll make you sorry.
Still you are quiet, and you seem not to talk:
if you don’t tell me, you’ll suffer the consequences.
376
St Lawrence remains silent, and D ECIUS says angrily
to Valerian:
Take that man, Prefect Valerian,
and make him show you the church’s treasure;
then make him sacrifice with full
reverence to our gods,
and if he refuses, then to his cost
have him shown by force the error of his ways,
with harsh torture and fierce torment.
If that does not work, we’ll put him to death.
VALERIAN says to Hippolytus, the Emperor’s vicar:
384
Hippolytus, vicar of the holy empire,
take that man: you’ll keep him in prison
with the others of his sect, and with your arts
and kind gestures that you will know to make,
try to find out from him the truth
about his great treasure, and if you succeed
in having it handed over to Decius,
you will be well rewarded by him.
392
HIPPOLYTUS replies to Valerian:
What you command me, Valerian,
I’ll do, as long as I know that I’m doing something
that is pleasing to our sovereign Emperor.
This effort will not seem a burden,
and I will spy on Lawrence, quietly
and softly, and find out where he is hiding
the church’s wealth and its treasure
that Sixtus, their bishop, left him.
400
Lawrence is placed in prison where there are many
others, including LUCILLUS, blinded by all his
weeping, and he says to Lawrence as follows:
Miserere, have mercy on me, servant of God,
because I have gone blind for weeping and for
sorrow.
LAWRENCE replies to Lucillus:
If you believed with all your heart
in my Lord Jesus, and wanted
to be baptised in his holy name,
he would grant you sight
in the eyes of your body and of your mind,
because he is the true, almighty God.
Lorenzo è messo in prigione dove sono molti altri,
fra ’ quali è LUCILLO accecato per lo pianto
faceva e dice a Lorenzo così:
Miserere di me, servo di Dio,
ché pel pianto e dolor son accecato.
LORENZO risponde a Lucillo:
Se tu credessi con tutto ’l disio
nel mie signor Gesù e battezzato
esser volessi nel suo nome pio,
da lui saresti in tutto alluminato
degli ochi corporale e della mente
perché gli è ’l vero Dio onnipotente.
LUCILLO risponde a Lorenzo:
La voglia mia, Lorenzo, è sempre stata
di servir a Gesù, signor verace,
e che la mente mia sia alluminata
sol di colui che gli può dar la pace.
Dunque per lo suo amor sia consolata
per te questa mie voglia e, se ti piace,
A6r
LUCILLUS replies to Lawrence:
It has always been my desire, Lawrence,
to serve Jesus, the true lord,
and that my mind should be enlightened
by him alone who can grant it peace.
So, for love of him, let this desire
be granted by you, and if you will,
San Lorenzo 14
vogliami battezzar, Lorenzo buono,
e sol di questa grazia mi fa dono.
408
LORENZO a Lucillo:
Da po’ ch’i’ veggio la tua intenzione
esser disposa d’esser buon cristiano,
risponder ti convien al mie sermone
com’io ti narrerò di mano in mano.
Credi tu, o buon Lucillo, in tre persone
della Trinita Santa; intendi sano,
cioè Padre e Figliuol e Spirto Santo?
LUCILLO risponde a Lorenzo:
I’ credo come tu di tutto quanto.
LORENZO a Lucillo:
Credi che Gesu Cristo passionato
fusse per noi e morto e seppellito?
E che sia el terzo giorno suscitato
col proprio corpo e vivo in ciel salito?
E che ciascun da lui sia giudicato
nel fin del mondo, quando riunito
saranno i corpi coll’anime a tutti
e fien col fuoco i secoli distrutti?
please baptise me, good Lawrence,
and give me this single gift of grace.
LAWRENCE to Lucillus:
Since I see that your will
is resolved to be a good Christian,
you must answer my questions,
one by one, as I ask them.
Do you, o good Lucillus, believe in the three persons
of the Holy Trinity? That is – do you fully
understand? – the Father, Son, and Holy Ghost.
416
LUCILLUS replies to Lawrence:
I believe in all this as you do.
424
LAWRENCE to Lucillus:
Do you believe that Jesus Christ was
crucified for us, and died, and was buried?
And that on the third day he rose
with his own body, and ascended into heaven alive?
And that we shall each be judged by him
at the end of the world, when all our bodies
will be gathered with our souls
and all the world will be destroyed by fire?
LUCILLO a Lorenzo:
I’ credo ciò che tu di’, veramente,
con pura fé, sanza dubitare.
LUCILLUS to Lawrence:
I believe all that you have said, verily,
with pure faith and without doubt.
LORENZO fa orazione e dice:
Gesù piatoso, i’ priego umilemente
che voglia l’orazion nostra accettare
e che ’l lume del corpo e della mente
per tuo misericordia voglia dare
all’alma insieme a gli occhi di Lucillo
e fra gli eletti tuoi voglia sortillo.
432
LAWRENCE prays and says:
Merciful Jesus, I humbly pray
that you will accept our prayer,
and that you will in your mercy
give the light of the body and of the mind
to the soul and to the eyes of Lucillus,
and that you will gather him up among the elect.
440
And when he has said this, he baptises him and then
his eyes open and he says joyfully:
O blessed God, eternal Lord,
O Jesus Christ, our redeemer,
you have restored the light, of heavenly King,
by the hands of Lawrence and by his love.
I who once was blind, now see clearly.
My mind is opened, and my heart.
May your most holy name, dearest Lord,
always be glorified.
E detto questo, lo battezza e di fatto apre gli ochi e
con allegrezza dice:
O benedetto Dio, Signor etterno,
o Gesu Cristo, nostro redentore,
tu m’hai ralluminato, o Re superno,
per le man di Lorenzo e pel suo amore.
I’ che prima era cieco chiaro scerno!
Ralluminao i’ ho la mente e ’l core.
Si’ adunque sempre, Signor benignissimo,
glorificato il tuo nome santissimo.
IPOLITO va alla prigione e amichevolmente
conforta Lorenzo a manifestare il tesoro:
I’ ti saprei, Lorenzo, consigliare,
per lo tuo meglio, che ’l tesor qual hai
tu lo volessi a Decio presentare.
Se questo fai, liberato sarai.
HIPPOLYTUS goes to the prison, and urges Lawrence
in a friendly way, to reveal the treasure:
I would advise you, Lawrence,
for your own good, that you should hand over
the treasure that you have to Decius.
If you do this, you will be freed.
LORENZO a Ipolito risponde:
I’ ti prometto, Ipolito, mostrare
l’etterna vita e ’l tesor, se vorrai
creder nel Padre etterno e vero Dio,
Figliuol diletto e Spirto Santo pio.
LAWRENCE replies to Hippolytus:
I promise you, Hippolytus, I’ll show you
eternal life and the treasure, if you will
believe in the Father, eternal and true God,
in the beloved son, and in the Holy Ghost.
448
San Lorenzo 15
IPOLITO a Lorenzo:
Se tu mostrassi a me con veri fatti
ciò che prometi, i’ fare’ quel che chiedi.
HIPPOLYTUS to Lawrence:
If you show me, with clear indications,
what you promise, I will do what you ask.
LORENZO a Ipolito:
Lascia gl’idoli tuoi ciechi e matti
e con divozïone ai miei piedi
tu t’inginochierai e con quegli atti
divoti quanto più puoi perdon chiedi
d’ogni tuo fallo a Dio, con divozione
a lui farai divota orazione.
LAWRENCE to Hippolytus:
Leave your blind, crazy idols,
and kneel devoutly at my feet
and with the most devout gestures
you can manage, ask God
for forgiveness for all your sins,
and pray to him devoutly.
IPOLITO s’inginochia e fa oratione e in mentre che
adora per revelazione vede molte anime di santi
goder in Dio e però dice a Lorenzo:
I’ ho veduto di santi innocenti
l’anime liete in Dio tutte godere,
però ti priego che tu acconsenti
che tutta la mie casa ha ’ sapere
questa dolcezza e da te qui presenti
tutti sian battezzati sì che avere
possiàn l’etterna gloria al sommo truono.
LORENZO risponde e dice:
Fia fatto quel ‹che› vuoi, Ipolito buono.
456
A6v
464
HIPPOLYTUS kneels and prays and while he is
worshipping he sees in a vision a multitude of blessed
souls rejoicing in God, so he says to Lawrence:
I’ve see the happy souls
of holy innocents all rejoicing in God,
and therefore I pray you to allow
all my household to know
this sweetness, and may they all here present
be baptised, so that we can
have eternal glory on the highest throne.
LAWRENCE replies and says:
Let what you wish be done, good Hippolytus.
Come Ipolito s’è battezzato colla famiglia sua, egli
ritorna al palazzo a cui VALERIANO dice:
Ipolito, fa’ presto e con furore
Lorenzo sia a noi rappresentato.
When Hippolytus and his retinue have been baptised,
he returns to the palace and VALERIAN says to him:
Hippolytus, hurry and have Lawrence
brought before us in great haste.
IPPOLITO torna a Lorenzo e dice:
Dalla parte di Decio imperadore
e di Valerian m’è comandato
ch’a lor ti meni e per fuggir errore
d’esser ripreso, fa’ che sia parato.
HIPPOLYTUS turns to Lawrence and says:
On behalf of Emperor Decius
and of Valerian, I am commanded
to bring you to them, and to avoid
reproach, you must get ready..
LORENZO a Lucillo:
Andianne pur ché s’apparechia gloria
a me e poi a te con gran vittoria.
LAWRENCE to Lucillus:
Let’s go, then, because glory is being prepared
for me and then for you, and victory too.
472
VALERIANO dice a Lorenzo:
Pon giù la pertinacia tua omai.
Dacci ’l tesor ché noi sappiàn di certo
che appresso di te nascoso l’hai.
VALERIAN says to Lawrence:
Lay aside your obstinacy now.
Give us the treasure, because we know for sure
that you have hidden it about you.
LORENZO risponde:
El tesor vero vi sara offerto.
Se di tre dì lo spazio mi farai
tel mosterrò sì come t’ho proferto.
LAWRENCE replies:
You will be offered the true treasure.
If you give me three days
I’ll show it to you just as I told you.
VALERIANO a Lorenzo:
Sotto la tuo promessa a te sia dato
tre giorni che ’l tesor ci abbi mostrato.
VALERIAN to Lawrence:
On your word, you are given
three days to show us the treasure.
VALERIANO a Decio:
O sacra maestà, i’ ho concesso
tre giorni solo a Lorenzo di spazio
a mostrarti il tesor. Egli ha promesso
480
VALERIAN to Decius:
O holy majesty, I have granted
just three days’ time to Lawrence
to show you the treasure. He has promised
San Lorenzo 16
di questo fa·nne il voler nostro sazio.
Stiàno a veder se lo favella adesso
ma se ci gabba, ne fareno strazio.
to satisfy our desire in this.
Let’s wait and see if he speaks it now,
but if he tricks us, we’ll punish him for it.
DECIO risponde a Valeriano:
Contento son questi tre giorni stare,
pur ch’i questo tesor possa acquistare.
DECIUS replies to Valerian:
I’m happy to wait these three days
provided that I can get hold of the treasure.
488
Lorenzo si parte e raguna molti poveri e quelli
mena a Decio e dice DECIO a Lorenzo come lo
vede così:
Orsù, Lorenzo, dov’è ’l gran tesoro
che tu ci promettesti appresentare
infra tre giorni, sanza alcun dimoro.
Orsù, cavalo fuor, non t’indugiare.
Lawrence leaves and gathers together lots of paupers
and he takes them to Decius, and D ECIUS says to
Lawrence when he sees him as follows:
Well, now, Lawrence, where is the great treasure
that you promised to bring
within three days, without any delay.
Come on, out with it, don’t waste time.
LORENZO mostra i poveri a Decio e dice:
El tesor ver di Dio è in costoro
che per fortuna non può mai scemare.
Venite qua, o poveri di Dio:
quest’è quel gran tesor ch’ho celato io.
496
LAWRENCE shows Decius the paupers and says:
The true treasure of God lies in them
who fortunately can never diminish.
Come here, God’s poor:
this is the great treasure that I had hidden.
504
VALERIAN, outraged, says:
This in truth is a fine treasure!
Who would not want to possess it?
And in exchange for silver and gold
you give us rogues and lice with them.
Come, Lawrence, and delay no longer.
Sacrifice to the gods and believe in them.
Deny Christ and, if you don’t,
you’ll be cruelly tormented.
VALERIANO sdegnato dice:
Quest’è in verità un bel tesoro!
Chi è ch’esserne vago non volessi?
E in iscambio d’ariento e d’oro
briccon ci dai e pidochi con essi.
Orsù, Lorenzo, e più non far dimoro.
Sacrifica agli dei e credi in essi.
Riniega Cristo e, se tu nol farai,
aspri tormenti ne riceverai.
LORENZO a Decio e Valeriano risponde:
Omé, miseri a voi! Perché accecare
tanto dal dimon falso vi lassate
ch’a lui vogliate sacrificio fare
e ’l vero Dio, meschin, vo’ rinegate?
Io sempre intendo volere adorare
quel solo Dio, quella somma bontate
che fu de l’universo creatore.
A lui sempre sia laude, gloria e onore.
A7r
512
LAWRENCE replies to Decius and Valerian:
Alas, poor wretches! Why do you let yourselves
be blinded by the false demon,
and want to sacrifice to him and
wretchedly deny the true God.
I intend always to adore
the only God, the highest good,
who was creator of the universe.
All glory, laud and honour belongs to him.
DECIO a Lorenzo:
Chi è questo tuo Dio che fattor fue
di tante cose quante tu l’appelli?
DECIUS to Lawrence:
Who is this God of yours who was the maker
of all these things you name?
LORENZO dice:
Egli è Dio, padre di Cristo Gesue,
che fermò ’l cielo e terra, acque e gli ucelli,
gli animal brutti e ’l centro ch’è giue
dell’abisso eternal con tutti quelli
maligni spirti dal cielo scacciati
perché da Dio si furon ribellati.
LAWRENCE says:
He is God, the father of Christ Jesus,
who made heaven and earth, the waters, the birds
and the beasts, and the centre
of the eternal abyss below, with all those
malign spirits, banished from heaven
because they rebelled against God.
Segue LORENZO:
Quest’è quel vero Dio che con suo mani
l’umanità creò a lui simile:
con ragion somma e intelletti sani,
formosa, ornata, nobile e gentile.
Ma vostri falsi dii bugiardi e vani
520
LAWRENCE continues:
This is the true God who with his hands
created humanity in his likeness:
with highest reason and healthy intellect,
beautiful, adorned, worthy and noble.
But your false, lying gods
San Lorenzo 17
da gli uomin fatti di materia vile,
come vuo’ ch’io adori loro sozzura
e ’l Fattor nieghi d’ogni creatura?
DECIO irato dice:
Orsù, pigliate lui po’ che gli è tanto
prosuntuoso che gli nostri dei
ardisce bestemiar e tiensi un santo.
Spogliatel presto e cogli scarpion rei
fate che sia battuto e tutto infranto
sì che ’l suo sangue versi insino a’ piei,
alla colonna ben legato e stretto,
po’ che gli ha nostri dii tanto in dispetto.
528
made by man from base materials,
how to you expect me to adore their filth
and deny the Maker of all creatures.
536
DECIUS is enraged and says:
Come now, seize him, for he is so
presumptuous that he dares to blaspheme
against our gods, and holds himself a saint.
Strip him at once, and take cruel scorpion whips
and have him beaten and battered
so that his blood flows down to his feet,
tied tightly to the column,
since he so despises our gods.
Ora SANTO LORENZO è battuto con fruste che
hanno in su gli nodi ferruzzi ritorti a guisa di
scarpioni e lui tormentato dice a Dio:
Grazie ti rendo, o Signor mio etterno,
che mi conforti sì che eletto sia
tralli tuo servi nel regno superno;
ma tu, crudel tiranno, in quella ria
pena crudel del doloroso inferno
colla tua ria setta e compagnia.
Now ST LAWRENCE is beaten with whips that have on
their knots bits of twisted metal in the form of
scorpions, and as he is tortured he says to God:
I give you thanks, my eternal Lord,
for giving me strength so that I may be chosen
among your servants in the heavenly kingdom.
But for you, cruel tyrant, will have that cruel
and wicked punishment of doleful hell,
along with your wicked sect and company.
DECIO dice a’ manigoldi:
Nol tormentate più, ma qui presenti
ogni ragion si rechi di tormenti.
DECIUS says to the torturers:
Torture him no more, but go and bring
every kind of torture to me here.
544
Recati quivi molti e vari tormenti, DECIO dice a
Lorenzo:
Se a’ nostri dii sacrificio non fai,
ogni ragion di questi aspri tormenti
nel tuo misero corpo sentirai
con pene atroci, crudeli e cocenti.
When they have brought many and varied torments,
DECIUS says to Lawrence:
If you do not sacrifice to our gods,
your wretched body will suffer
every kind of cruel torment
with terrible, cruel and burning pain.
LORENZO risponde a Decio:
Misero sara’ tu ch’io dis‹ï›ai
queste vivande che tu mi presenti,
però ch’a mio trionfo elle saranno
e a te pena eterna acquisteranno.
LAWRENCE replies to Decius:
You’ll be the wretch, because this repast
that you present to me is what I wanted,
because they will be at my triumph
and they will bring you eternal suffering.
552
DECIO dice a Lorenzo:
Se questi sono adunque gloria a voi,
diracci dove sono gli altri profani
simili a te disposti, acciò che noi
diàn questo cibo a tutti tuo cristiani.
DECIUS says to Lawrence:
If these are glory for you,
tell us where the other heathens
like you are waiting, so that we
can give this food to all your Christians.
LORENZO a Decio:
Que’ che tu cerchi han dato e nomi suoi
nel ciel a Dio e ’ tuo pensier son vani.
Degno non se’, tiranno maladetto,
di veder solo il lor santo cospetto.
LAWRENCE to Decius:
Those whom you seem have given their names
to God in heaven and your plans are worthless.
You are not worthy, accursed tyrant,
even to see their holy faces.
DECIO irato lo fa rivestir e colla catena legato
com’un cane lo fa menare al tempio di Giove per
farlo sacrificare e dice:
Fate presto costu’ sia incatenato
com’un ribaldo, poi ch’è tanto ardito,
e nel tempio di Giove apparechiato
sia ’l tribunale in quel loco espedito.
A7v
560
DECIUS, enraged, has him dressed again and
attached to a chain like a dog he has him taken to the
temple of Jove to make him sacrifice, and he says:
Have him chained at once
like a scoundrel, because he is so bold,
and let the judgement seat be made ready
in the temple of Jove in the appropriate place.
San Lorenzo 18
Questo Lorenzo quivi sia menato
dinanzi a me ch’i’ vega se ubidito
i’ debbo esser da lui e da suo setta
a noi contraria, iniqua e maladetta.
568
Have this Lawrence brought there
before me so that I can see if I am
to be obeyed by him and by his sect
which opposes us in such accursed wickedness.
E giunto al tempio, posto D ECIO a sedere in sul
tribunale, dice a Lorenzo così:
Tutt’i cristian di tuo maligna setta
è manifesto ch’io intendo purgare
la città tutta, acciò ch’ella sia netta
da questa scimia e a sacrificare
al sommo Giove nostro ora t’assetta.
Nel tesor che tu hai non ti fidare.
Arriving at the temple, DECIUS goes to sit on the
judgement seat, and says to Lawrence as follows:
It is clear that I intend to purge
the entire city of all the Christians
in your malicious sect, so that it is cleansed
of this blight, so get ready now
to sacrifice to our great Jove.
Don’t put your faith in the treasure that you hold.
LORENZO risponde:
Nel mie tesor celeste i’ m’asicuro
e le minacce tue vane non curo.
576
LAWRENCE replies:
I trust in my heavenly treasure
and I do not care about your empty threats.
584
DECIUS, enraged once again, has him stripped and
has him cruelly beaten with whips and says:
Come on now, have him stripped
naked and let him be beaten hard
with iron-tipped whips, until he’s all
bathed in blood, and give him the treatment
so that he is well chastened
for all his sins. Come on, don’t delay,
because I want to see whether he’ll persist
in his wildly obstinate view.
DECIO, irato di nuovo, lo fa spogliare e con fuste il
fa battere amaramente e dice:
Oltre qua presto, costu’ sia spogliato
ignudo e colle fuste ben ferrate
battuto forte e’ sia, sicché bagnato
tutto di sangue sia, e sì ’l conciate
in guisa tal che sia ben gastigato
d’ogno suo fallo. Orsù non indugiate
ch’i’ vo’ provar s’egli starà indurato
nel suo folle pensier tanto ostinato.
I manigoldi lo legano e battono e LORENZO dice a
Decio così:
Ora, misero can, conoscer puoi
e chiaro puoi veder di quanto acquisto
han fatto nel mie corpo i martir tuoi.
Sempre io trionfo nel nome di Cristo.
The torturers bind and beat him, and LAWRENCE says
to Decius as follows:
Now, wretched dog, you can know
and you can see clearly what your torments
to my body have achieved.
Still I triumph in the name of Christ.
DECIO irato dice:
Costui ci scherne! Nol vedete voi
quant’egli è lieto, baldanzoso e tristo?
Piastre di ferro cocente pigliate,
ardente e forti al suo capo acostate.
DECIUS enraged says:
He’s mocking us! Can’t you see
how happy he is, how bold and wily?
Get burning plates of heavy, red-hot iron,
and place them close to his head,
592
LORENZO tormentato dice a Dio:
O Signor mio Gesù! O Dio, o Dio,
dona vera fortezza al tuo buon servo.
Son tormentato e mai t’ho negat’io.
Signor Gesù, te confesso e osservo.
As he is tortured, LAWRENCE says to God:
O my Lord Jesus! O God, o God,
give true strength to your good servant.
I am tortured and I have never denied you.
Lord Jesus, I confess you and I keep your faith.
DECIO a Lorenzo:
I’ ti conosco ben malvagio e rio,
magico encantator e uom protervo!
Po’ che de’ martir miei beffe ti fai,
tanti ne proverrai che tu morrai!
DECIUS to Lawrence:
I know you for a truly wicked and evil
magical enchanter and perverse man!
Since you mock my torture,
you’ll get so much that you’ll die!
Segue DECIO:
E chiamo testimon tutti gli dei
che tu farai a loro el sacrificio.
Quanto che no, con altri martir rei
morir farotti con grave supplicio.
600
DECIUS continues:
And I’ll call all the gods to witness
that you will sacrifice to them.
If you don’t, I’ll make you die with the fierce
torment of other cruel forms of torture.
San Lorenzo 19
LORENZO risponde:
Nel nome di Gesù, non temerei
tuo tormenti aspri né falso giudicio.
Fa’ pur del corpo mio quel che ti pare
ma l’alma non mi potrai maculare.
DECIO più si riscalda in ira e dice:
Colle palle impiombate sia percosso
tutto ’l suo corpo e li suo membri guasti.
LORENZO a Dio:
O Gesù mie Signor, quanto più posso
i’ ti ringrazio che tu m’aiutasti
sempre in ogni mie caso. Prima mosso
tu se’ al mio soccorso e ti degnasti;
or più che mai tu mi fai paziente
in modo tal che ’l cuor gran gaudio sente.
608
A8r
616
Segue LORENZO orando:
E se piacessi a tuo somma bontate
che lo spirito mio si disciogliessi
da questo corpo e in suo libertate
l’alma tornassi a te e che dimessi
mi sieno i gran diletti in puritate
tra gli tuo santi mi goda con essi,
i’ te ne priego, s’egli è tuo volere.
UNO ANGELO appare e dicegli:
Maggior battaglie ancora ha’ ’ sostenere.
DECIO, odendo la voce dell’Angelo e nollo
vedendo, dice così al popolo:
O cittadin roman prudenti e buoni,
udisti voi la consolazïone
ch’a questo incantator fanno i demoni?
Vedete quant’egli ha in derisione
la legge nostra che, con prieghi o doni
né pe’ tormenti a nostra intenzione
possiàn recarlo? E però sia percosso
cogli scarpion di nuovo insino all’osso.
LORENZO, sendo di nuovo battuto sanza essere
levato dalla colonna, dice a Dio:
Onnipotente Dio e sempiterno,
o Gesù Cristo, figliuol di Maria,
sia benedetto il tuo nome in etterno.
La tuo misericordia santa e pia
tanta mi doni che non curo e scherno
questi tormenti, anzi gran melodia
sento nell’alma per tuo grazia e dono,
sì che tuo servidor più che mai sono.
Ora uno cavaliere dello imperadore chiamato
ROMANO, per dono di Dio, avendo
commiserazione a gli strazi fatti a san Lorenzo,
meritò vedere uno Angelo che rasciugava le
piaghe a santo Lorenzo e dice così a santo
Lorenzo:
I’ veggo un uom bellissimo e lucente
con un fazzuol le tuo piache asciugare
LAWRENCE replies:
In the name of Jesus, I would not fear
your harsh torments or your false judgement.
Do what you want with my body
but you will never be able to stain my soul.
DECIUS becomes even more enraged and says:
Have him beaten with leaden balls
all over his body and shatter his limbs.
LAWRENCE to God:
O my Lord Jesus, as much as I can
I thank you for always helping me
in every way. You came to my assistance
before, and you were gracious;
now more than ever you make me patient
in such a way that my heart feels great joy.
LAWRENCE continues, praying:
And if ever it pleased your greatest Goodness
that my spirit should be loosed
from this body, and that my soul
should return to you in its freedom, and that I should
abandon the great earthly delights, may I rejoice
among your saints with them in purity,
I beg you, if it is your will.
624
AN ANGEL appears and says to him:
You have greater battles yet to bear.
632
DECIUS, hearing the voice of the Angel but not seeing
it, says to the people as follows:
O good and prudent Roman citizens,
did you hear the consolation
that the demons offer this enchanter?
Do you see how much he derides
our law so that not even with prayers or gifts,
or even torture can we bend him
to our. So let him be whipped again
with the scorpions, right to the bone.
640
LAWRENCE, as he is beaten again without being
removed from the column, says to God:
Almighty and eternal God,
O Jesus Christ, son of Mary,
blessed be your name eternally.
You grant me so much of your blessed,
holy mercy that I do not mind, that I mock
these torments, and rather I hear
great melody in my soul, granted by your grace,
so that I am you servant more than ever.
Now one of the Emperor’s knights, called ROMANUS,
by God’s grace takes pity on the wounds inflicted on
St Lawrence, and is rewarded by the sight of an
Angel drying St Lawrence’s wounds, and he says to
St Lawrence as follows:
I see a most beautiful shining man,
drying your wounds with a towel
San Lorenzo 20
in modo tal che non si par nïente
che mai fussi percosso, onde pregare
ti vo’, Lorenzo, che ’l santo battesimo
mi dia e ch’i’ sia eletto al cristianesimo.
so that no sign remains
that he was ever beaten. Because of this, I want
to beg you now, Lawrence, to give me
holy baptism, and that I be called to Christianity.
LORENZO rispondo al Romano:
Fratel diletto, sia Gesù laudato
che fra’ suo santi eletti t’ha chiamato.
648
LAWRENCE replies to Romanus:
Beloved brother, Jesus be praised
that he has called you among his chosen saints.
656
LAWRENCE continues to Romanus:
And since I see your mind disposed
to being a good servant of God,
and that your will is all directed
to following Christ and setting aside
every other thing, if I ever have any respite
or rest from my torture
and find myself unbound, with my own hands
I will immediately make you a Christian.
Segue LORENZO al Romano:
E po’ ch’i’ vego tuo mente disposta
a voler esser buon servo di Dio
e la volontà tua tutta s’acosta
a seguir Cristo e metter in oblio
ogn’altra cosa s’i’ arò mai sosta
o posa alcuna dal tormento mio,
sì ch’io sciolto mi veggia a mano a mano
i’ ti farò colle mie man cristiano.
DECIO, veduto ’l Roman convertito, dice a
Valeriano tutto adolorato:
Omé, non vedi tu, Valeriano,
che per incanti no’ siàn superati?
Poi si volge al Romano e dice:
O franco cavalier, o buon Romano,
se’ tu sì stolto che ci habbi lasciati?
Quale sciocchezza o qual pensier non sano
del vero sentimento t’han privati
che tu vogli negar Giove sovrano
cogli altri dei e vuo’ farti cristiano?
ROMANO risponde a Decio:
Vedut’ho certo, o santo imperadore,
che ’l vero Dio è Gesù de’ cristiani
e viddi l’angel suo, pien di splendore,
a Lorenzo nettar colle suo mani,
tutte le piaghe, e voi siete in errore
ch’adorate gli dii bugiardi e vani.
La vera deità che tutto regge
è sol lo dio della cristiana legge.
A8v
DECIUS, when he sees that Romanus has converted,
says to Valerian all full of regret:.
Alas, can’t you see, Valerian,
that we are beaten by spells?
664
Then he turns to Romanus and says:
O bold knight, o good Romanus,
are you so stupid that you have abandoned us?
What foolishness, what insane thought
has so stripped you of good sense
that you want to deny supreme Jove
and the other gods and become a Christian?
672
ROMANUS replies to Decius:
I’ve seen, o holy Emperor, with certainty
that the true God is Jesus of the Christians,
and I was his angel, full of splendour,
cleansing all Lawrence’s wounds
with his own hands, and you are wrong
in worshipping the empty, deceitful gods.
The one true deity who rules everything
is the god of Christian law.
DECIO adolorato fa scioglier dalla colonna santo
Lorenzo e rimenarlo in prigione e dice:
Levatel di costì. Sia consegnato
a Ipolito che ’l tenga a mi’ estanza.
DECIUS sorrowfully has St Lawrence freed from the
column and taken back to prison, and says:
Take him away. Have him handed over
to Hippolytus, to keep him at my will.
E come gli è sciolto e dato a Ipolito, EL ROMANO
dice a Lorenzo così:
Ecco, servo di Dio, ch’i’ ho recato
dell’acqua in questo vaso in abondanza,
però di battezzarmi sia pregato
ch’i’ ho di questo somma disianza.
When he is free and handed over to Hippolytus,
ROMANUS says to Lawrence as follows:
See, servant of God, that I have brought
an abundance of water in this vase,
so I beg you to baptise me
because this is what I greatly desire.
LORENZO lo battezza e dice:
Nel nome della Trinità perfetta
sia battezzato e l’alma monda e netta.
LAWRENCE baptises him and says:
In the name of the perfect Trinity
be baptised, and your soul be cleansed and pure.
DECIO, veduto el Romano battezzato, dice a’ suoi
così:
680
DECIUS, seeing Romanus baptised, says to his men as
follows:
San Lorenzo 21
Menate qua cotesto indemoniato
che s’è lasciato isvolger da costui.
Bring that diabolical fellow here,
who’s let his head be turned by that man.
Poi si volge al Romano e dice:
Misero a te perch’hai tu rinegato
i sacri nostri dei e non sai in cui
Ora ti cred’io pazzo ismemorato.
Then he turns to Romanus and says:
You wretch, you have denied our sacred gods,
and you don’t know whom you’ve put in their place.
Now I know you’re raving made.
ROMANO risponde a Decio così:
Pazo se’ tu! I’ adoro colui
che morir volle in croce per salvarci
e dal crudel inferno liberarci.
ROMANUS replies to Decius as follows:
You’re the mad one! I adore Him
who chose to die on the cross to save us
and free us from hell’s cruelty.
688
DECIO, irato contro al Romano, dice:
Tu pagherai la pena del tuo errore
ch’han rinegato, e punito sarai.
DECIUS, enraged against Romanus, says:
You pay the penalty for this mistake
of denying them, and you’ll be punished.
DECIO si volge a Valeriano:
Orsù, Valerïan, va’ con furore
a costui. Il capo tagliar presto fai,
po’ fa’ venir a me quel traditore
che c’è cagion di tanti affanni e guai,
ché vo’ di nuovo dargli altri tormenti
tanto ch’al mie voler al fin consenti.
DECIUS turns to Valerian:
Come, Valerian, go after him
as fast as you can. Have his head cut off at once,
then have the traitor brought to me
who is the cause of so much strife and trouble,
because I want to subject him again to more torments
until he submits in the end to my will.
696
El Romano è dicapitato e Lorenzo fu prima menato
a la prigione. Ora VALERIANO dice a Ipolito così:
Ipolito, vien qua e con prestezza
Lorenzo mena nel nostro cospetto.
Romanus is beheaded, and Lawrence is taken back to
prison. Then VALERIAN says to Hippolytus as
follows:
Hippolytus, come here. Go at once
and bring Lawrence before us here.
Ipolito piangendo va alla prigione per LORENZO il
quale dice così a Ipolito:
Deh, non pianger, fratel! Piglia allegrezza!
I’ vo a goder el regno benedetto
di vita etterna in quella ampia dolcezza
al qual, fratel‹lo› buon, se’ stato eletto.
Sta’ pur celato, e quando me udirai,
ch’io ti chiamerò, tu ne verrai.
Hippolytus is weeping as he goes to the prison to get
LAWRENCE who says to Hippolytus:
Come, brother, do not weep! Be of good cheer!
I’m going to rejoice in the blessed kingdom
of eternal life, in that great sweetness
for which you, good brother, have been chosen.
Remain in hiding, and when you hear me,
for I will call you, you will come there.
A9r,
704
In mentre che Lorenzo è menato a Decio, DECIO
dice a’ manigoldi così:
Orsù, recate tutti gli strumenti
da tormentar dinanzi al tribunale.
While Lawrence is being brought to Decius, D ECIUS
says to the torturers as follows:
Come, bring all the instruments
of torture before the judgement seat.
Poi si volge a santo Lorenzo ch’è giunto e dice:
Vien qua, Lorenzo. Fa’ che t’apresenti
dinanzi al seggio nostro imperiale.
Pon giù la tuo perfid‹i›a e di che genti
tu sia disceso ci dirai e quale
sia la tuo patria e dove nato sia
e non uscir della voluntà mia.
Then he turns to St Lawrence who has arrived and
says:
712
LORENZO risponde a Decio:
Quanto all’origin mia, dico che nato
son nella Spagna, ma poi fu’ notrito
nell’alma Roma, e quivi amaestrato
infin da piccolin, con dio unito,
e sono vero cristian battezzato.
Come here, Lawrence. Come and stand
before our imperial throne.
Lay aside your perfidy, and tells us
who your family was, and what
nationality you are, and where you were born,
and do not stray from the point.
LAWRENCE replies to Decius:
As for my origins, I state that I was
born in Spain, but then I was raised
in fair Rome, and there I studied
from childhood, united in God,
and I am a true baptised Christian.
San Lorenzo 22
Seguo ’l vangelo e sempre ho ubidito
la santa legge di Gesù perfetto,
avendo i vostri dii falsi in dispetto.
DECIO irato dice a Lorenzo:
Po’ ch’io conosco e pensieri folli e rei
del tuo cor duro e non ti vuoi mutare,
i’ ti prometto, per li nostri dei,
ch’a lor per forza e’ ti bisogna fare
el degno sacrificio e ’ntender dei
quel ch’io ti narro e ’l mio chiaro parlare:
se nol farai, tutta la notte scura
ti farò tormentar con pena dura.
720
I follow the gospel, and I have always obeyed
the holy law of perfect Jesus,
and held your false gods in contempt.
728
DECIUS, enraged, says to Lawrence:
Since I know the crazy wicked thoughts
of your stony heart, and you don’t want to change,
I promise you, in the name of our gods,
that you per force will have to make
worthy sacrifice, and you must understand
what I am telling you and saying very clearly:
if you don’t do it, all this dark night long
I’ll have you tortured with cruel pain.
LORENZO dice:
Mai non saranno oscur le notte mie
ma nel sol lucer sempre le vedrai.
LAWRENCE says:
My nights will never be dark. Rather,
you’ll always see them shining in the sun.
DECIO a’ manigoldi:
Po’ che va drieto alle suo fantasie
e ostinato il veggio più che mai
in questa notte il tormentate sìe
che ogni dolor patisca, pene e guai,
poi gli rompete co’ sassi la bocca
s’egli sta duro in suo volontà sciocca.
736
DECIUS to the torturers:
Since he’s following his humours
and I see he is more obstinate than ever,
let him be tortured this night
so that he suffers ever pain, anguish and torment,
then smash his mouth with stones
if he persists in this foolish wish.
744
Now the torturers take him and, when that have
stripped him again, they torture him with whips,
scorpions, and lead balls, then they strike him in the
mouth with stones, and ST LAWRENCE turns to God
and says:
I give you thanks, o gracious Lord,
for giving me strength in all my suffering.
I pray to you, merciful Jesus, on behalf
of these ungrateful men who have beaten me.
And so that I may rest more peacefully, make them
see clearly that this Jove is the devil, full of deceit.
Therefore, by your power, blessed Lord,
let this idol be struck by lightning’s rage.
752
And when he has spoken, a flash of lightning comes
from heaven and breaks it into several pieces. At this,
DECIUS is enraged and says to Valerian as follows:
Have you see how this accursed man
has destroyed our god?
Let’s go back to the great palace, good Prefect.
Have him brought, tightly bound,
there before my worthy throne,
like an evil, wicked enchanter.
I have decided to put him to death
with the cruellest torture that can be found.
Ora e’ manigoldi lo pigliano e spogliatolo da capo
gli danno martori con fuste, scarpioni e palle di
piombo, poi co’ sassi gli percuotono la bocca e
SANTO LORENZO a Dio si volge e dice:
Grazie ti rendo, o signor grazioso
che mi conforti in ciascuno mie affanno.
I’ priego te, o Gesù mio piatoso,
per questi ingrati che battuto m’hanno,
e fagli chiar e per più mio riposo
che questo Giove è ’l dimon pien d’inganno
sì che dal tuo poter, Signor beato,
sia con furor questo idol saettato.
E detto questo, viene una saetta da cielo e fallo
rovinare tutto in più pezzi, onde DECIO infuriato
dice a Valeriano così:
Ha’ tu veduto questo huom maladetto
com’egli ha desolato ’l nostro dio?
Torniànci al gran palazzo, o buon prefetto.
Quivi dinanzi al degno seggio mio
costui menato sia, legato e stretto,
come malvagio incantator e rio.
Disposto son col più crudel martire
che può trovarsi di farlo morire.
Decio con gli altri tornono al palazzo e quivi,
posto a sedere, DECIO IMPERADORE dice a’
manigoldi così:
Trovate un letto di ferro construtto
in forma d’una grate e per riposo
quest’uom maligno vi sie sù condutto.
Vedren se ’l suo Gesù tanto piatoso
potrà scampar che non sia arso e strutto
A9v
Decius returns to the palace with the others and
there, having taken his seat, EMPEROR DECIUS says to
the torturers as follows:
Find a bedstead made out of iron,
in the form of a grate, and have that evil man
brought here and put to rest on it.
We’ll see if his merciful Jesus
can save this sorcerer from being
San Lorenzo 23
dal fuoco ardente questo malioso.
Sù, trovate carbon, truovisi el fuoco
po’ che gli altri tormenti cura poco.
760
burnt to ashes by the burning fire.
Go, find coal, find fire, because
he cares little for the other torments.
Trovata la grate di ferro e Lorenzo spogliato e
messovi suso, a cui DECIO dice:
Intendi ora, Lorenzo, el parlar mio:
sacrifica gli dei con puro core.
When he has found he iron grate, and Lawrence has
been stripped and placed on it, DECIUS says to him:
Now listen to what I have to say:
sacrifice to the gods with a pure heart.
LORENZO risponde a Decio:
I’ vo’ sacrificar a Gesù pio
el corpo mio e l’anima in odore
di gran suavità e intendo io
che ’l sacrificio grato al mio Signore
sia lo spirito qui contribulato
e ’l cor contrito in Dio umiliato.
768
LAWRENCE replies to Decius:
I want to sacrifice to holy Jesus
my body and my soul, in odour
of great sweetness, and I intend
that the sacrifice pleasing to my Lord
shall be my tormented spirit
and my contrite heart, humiliated in God.
776
LAWRENCE continues:
And I want you to know, wretched tyrant,
that your coals cool me.
For you there will yet be grave torments,
my Lord Jesus, in whom I trust,
has seen that our torture has not
prevailed in me. Rather, I have always confessed
that true Lord Christ Jesus
and even amid the flames I have thanked him.
Segue LORENZO:
E vo che sappi, misero tiranno,
ch’e tuo carboni a me son refrigerio.
A te gravi tormenti ancor saranno,
el mie Signor Gesù nel quale io spero,
ha visto ben che tuo martir non hano
possuto in me anzi quel Signor vero,
Cristo Gesù sempre i’ ho confessato
e tra le fiamme ancor l’ho ringratiato.
DECIO a Lorenzo:
Dove son questi tormenti ch’a noi
dati saranno con tanta arroganza.
DECIUS to Lawrence:
Where are these torments
that will be so arrogantly inflicted on us?
LORENZO risponde:
O pazzia vostra, o smemorati voi!
che non vedete quanta consolanza
mi da‹n›, con gran conforto, i carbon tuoi
qual io non curo, ma con gran baldanza
ricorro sempre al mio signor Gesue
che salvo mi farà delle man tue.
LAWRENCE replies:
O your madness, o you fools,
Why can’t you can’t see how much consolation
and resolution your coals give me.
I don’t care about them, but with great boldness,
I return always to my Lord Jesus
who will save me from your hands.
784
DECIO a Lorenzo:
Or saren noi, o Lorenzo, alla pruova
se gli tuoi incanti più che mie carboni
aran possanza e vedrai se ti giova
questo tuo Dio con divoti sermoni.
DECIUS to Lorenzo:
Now we come to the test, Lawrence,
of whether your spells are more powerful
than my coals, and you’ll see whether your God
and his pious sermons are any use to you.
LORENZO a Decio risponde:
La virtù del mie Dio sempre rinuova
suo grazia in me con ampi e magni doni
in modo tal ch’io non curo niente
i carbon tuoi né questa fiamma ardente.
LAWRENCE relies to Decius:
The virtue of my God always renews
his grace in me with great and generous gifts,
in such a way that I care nothing
for your coals or for this burning flame.
792
Segue LORENZO a Decio:
E tu, crudel tiranno, poi che hai
del corpo mio una parte arrostito
fa’ volger l’altra e questa mangerai.
Sazia di me il tuo bestiale appetito.
LAWRENCE continues to Decius:
And you, cruel tyrant, since you have
roasted one part of my body,
turn it over, and eat this part.
Sate your bestial appetite on me.
LORENZO si volge a Dio e dice:
Grazie ti rendo, o Signor, più che mai.
Sempre da te sono stato esaudito.
LAWRENCE turns to God and says:
I give you thanks, Lord, more than ever.
You have always granted my requests.
San Lorenzo 24
Po’ che mi chiami a te, Signor Idio
Padre, ricevi lo spirito mio.
Come santo Lorenzo è morto, UNO DIVOTO
CRISTIANO va ad santo Giustino prete e dice così:
O buon Giustino, o sacerdote degno,
con gran dolore ascolta il mio parlare
e la cagion ch’a te piangendo vegno:
che Decio crudo ha fatto tormentare
Lorenzo santo, legato a un legno,
poi alla fine l’ha fatto abruciare
sopra una grata e quivi egli è transito.
Corriàno adunque che sia seppellito.
800
When St Lawrence has died, A DEVOUT CHRISTIAN
goes to St Justinus the priest and says as follows:
A10r
808
GIUSTINO risponde:
Omé meschin, che novelle son queste?
Omé, Lorenzo, perché ci hai lasciati
nel cieco mondo fra tante tempeste
e tu nel ciel trionfi co’ beati
in quello etterno gaudio? Orsù, le veste
e l’altre cose sieno apparechiate.
Andiàno a far l’assequio santo e pio
al suo corpo beato, o fratel mio.
Since you call me to you, Lord God,
Father, receive my spirit.
816
O good Justinus, o worthy priest,
listen to my words with great sorrow
and hear why I come weeping to you.
Cruel Decius has had St Lawrence
tortured, tied to a tree,
then in the end he has had him burnt
on a grate and there he died.
Let us run and have him buried.
JUSTINUS replies:
O alas, what news is this?
Alas, Lawrence, why have you left us
in this blind world, amid so many storms,
while you triumph in heaven with the saints
in eternal rejoicing. Come, let the robes
and other things be prepared.
Let’s go, my brother, and perform
the holy funeral rites on his blessed body.
E detto questo portano le veste di santo Lorenzo e
acconcianlo nel cataletto e portanlo a la sepultura
cantando divotamente Benedictus dominus deus
Israel con tutto il salmo intero. Poi GIUSTINO
vestito col peviale dice l’orazione di santo
Lorenzo.
And when he has said this, they bring St Lawrence’s
robes and they lay him in the bier and they carry it to
the grave, devoutly singing devoutly [the Benedictus,
Luke 1:68-79] Benedictus dominus deus Israel, with
the whole canticle. Then JUSTINUS, dressed in his
vestments, says the prayer of St Lawrence:
Orazione di santo Lorenzo 10
Prayer of St Lawrence
Da nobis quesumus omnipotens deus vitiorum
nostrorum flammas extinguere qui beato Laurentio
tribuisti tormentorum suorum incendia superare.
Per Christum Dominum nostrum.
Amen.
Et messo il corpo suo nella sepultura, L’ANGELO
da licenzia e dice così:
O tutti vo’ ch’alla forma di Dio
colle suo sante man fusti creati,
sprezate ’l corpo e mettete in oblio
el mondo traditor, pien di peccati.
Con Gesu Cristo, Signor santo e pio
i vostri cor sien sempre confermati,
siché nel gaudio etterno ci troviamo
con san Lorenzo e licenza vi diamo.
Grant to us, we beseech, O omnipotent God, to
quench the flames of our vices, thou who didst grant
to blessed Lawrence the power to overcome the fires
of his torments.
Through Christ our Lord.
Amen.
And when his body has been placed in the grave, THE
ANGEL bids the audience farewell and says:
O all you who were created
in God’s likeness by his holy hands,
spurn the body and forget
about the treacherous world, full of sin.
Put your hearts always
in Jesus Christ, our holy Lord,
so that we may find ourselves in eternal joy
with St Lawrence, and I bid you farewell.
FINITA LA FESTA DI SANTO SISTO E DI SANTO
LORENZO SUO DIACONO.
THE END OF THE PLAY OF ST SIXTUS AND ST
LAWRENCE HIS DEACON.
Apparato
23 ora 28 giovae 33 perfecto 64 per quel che ci 104 did. perfecto 116 premetti 127 glhanno 128 si
fideranno 170 sacrificio o per primo 183 acompagnata 208 did. Cellio 209 pien di 212 in ink in left
hand margin: 28 271 grande spatio 314 permesso 359 christiana & donici 393 chel pel 484 questo
10
From the Suffragia plurimorum sanctorum of the Horae Beatae Mariae ad usum Romanum.
San Lorenzo 25
fanne il 561 sian incatenato 579 fore & sia 685 ti credi o pazzo ismemorato 704 did. decio et Decio
736 did. dacalpo glidanno755 questo huo(m) 783 signore Giesue