54- FLORA DOMESTICA. 



Sen va carpon vestando il terren d'ef ba, 

 E la melissa ch' odor sempre esala ; 

 La mammola, 1'origano, ed il timo, 

 Che natura creo per fare il raele." 



L API DELRUCELLAI. 



" O'er all the lawny field, lovely, shut in, 

 Let the glad violet smile with its sweet breath ; 

 And parsley green ; and humble creeping-thyme, 

 Which, with a thousand roots, curling and crisp, 

 Goes decking the green earth with drapery ; 

 And balm that never ceases uttering sweets ; 

 And hearts-ease, and wild marjoram, and thyme, 

 Which nature made on purpose to make honey." 



" Quand' escon 1'api dei rinchiusi alberghi, 

 E tu le vedi poi per 1'aere puro 

 Natando in schiera andare verso le stelle, 

 Come una nube che si sparga al vento ; 

 Conterapla ben perch' elle cercan sempre 

 Posarsi al fresco sopra un verde elce, 

 Ovver presso a un muscoso e chiaro fonte. 

 E pero sparga quivi il buon sapore 

 De la trita melissa, o 1'erba vile 

 De la cerinta ; e con un ferro in mano 

 Percuoti il cavo rame, o forte suona 

 II cembal risonante di Cfbelle. 

 Questo subito allor vedrai posarsi 

 Nei luoghi medicati, e poi riporsi 

 Second il lor costume entr' a le celle." 



LE API DEL RUCELLAI. 



' ( When the bees issue from their nestling homes, 

 And you behold them through the clear blue ether, 

 Swimming tow'rd heaven like a wind-sprinkled cloud, 

 Be on the watch ; for then it is they go 

 To feel the open air on a green oak, 

 Or near a mossy and fresh-bubbling fountain ; 

 There follow them, and put the genial flavour 

 Of the bruised balm, or cerinth, and strike up 

 The hollow brass or tremble- touching cymbal, 

 And you will see them suddenly come down 

 Upon the season'd place, and so re-enter 

 After their wonted fashion, in their cells/' 



