Boiardo Tarocchi Poem: Beginning

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[edit] Italian original: Argumento

Argumento de li ditti capituli

di Matteo Maria Boiardo

sopra un novo gioco di carte.

Quattro passion de l'anima signora

hanno quaranta carte in questo gioco;

a la più degna la minor dà loco,

e il lor significato le colora.

Quattro figure ha ogni color ancora,

che ai debiti suo' offici tutte loco,

con vinti et un trionfo; e al più vil loco

è un folle, poi che 'l folle el mondo adora.

Amor, speranza, gelosia e timore

son le passion, e un zerzetto han le carte

per non lassar chi giocarà in errore.

Il numero ne' versi si comparte,

uno, due, tre, fin al grado maggiore,

resta mo' a te trovar del gioco l'arte.

[edit] English Translation: Content

Content of the said chapters

by Matteo Maria Boiardo

about a new game of cards.

Four passions of the soul, milady,

Are forty cards in this game.

The lesser gives place to the worthier,

And their meaning gives them their suit.

Each suit also has four figures,

Each of which I place in the due role,

With twenty and one triumphs; and in the meanest place

Is a fool, because the fool the world adores.

Love, hope, jealousy and fear

Are the passions, and the cards have a tercet

So as not to leave the player in error.

The number in the verses runs:

One, two, three, ending at the highest;

Now it remains for you to find the art of the game.

For commentaries and discussion (which includes comments about translation problems, please see the Discussion page (or click on the 'discussion' tab above).
→ Boiardo main page.