L'Eraclito Amoroso

L'Eraclito Amoroso

Listen, lovers,
the reason, oh heavens!
that leads me to weep.

Oh heavens! in my cherished
and beautiful beloved,
that I thought so faithful,
faith is dead.

My only pleasure is weeping,
I only revel in my tears.
Grief is my delight,
and wailing is my joy.

Every torture enchants me,
every pain pleases me.
Sobbing heals me,
sighing comforts me.

Oh heavens! in my cherished
and beautiful beloved,
that I thought so faithful,
faith is dead.

But, if this inconstant and treacherous lover
denies me his faith,
at least, o tears,
be faithful to me until death.

May every sadness assail me,
every mourning last forever.
So much sorrow afflicts me,
that it kills me, and buries me.

Notice the similarities between this piece and Lagrime Mie. Not only are the lyrics similar, but also listen for the hesitations, dissonances, and sob-like embellishments. Both of these pieces typify Strozzi style and I think exemplify a lot of the emotions she probably struggled with in a "man's world" both in love and life.