Anon. [Canada]

The fountain is clear,

I dry my body with grass --


The nightingale sings.


Helder is de bron,
ik droog me af met wat gras --ich trockne mich ab mit Gras --
De nachtegaal zingt.Die Nachtigall singt.

Poem H1785
Amsterdam, 2017-08-31

By the edge of a fountain (Anon. [Canada] / Mozart) - 1500
Ballad "Au bord d'une fontaine", set to music by Mozart in 1781 (K360, "Hélas, j'ai perdu mon amant")
Keyword: Harmony: relaxation 
Composer: Mozart, Wolfgang Amadeus 
 

My friend goes, gives me

a rose from the bush, alas --


still in the bud, picked.


Mijn vriend gaat, geeft me
een roos van de struik, helaas --mir eine Rose, leider --
in de knop geplukt.noch im Keim, gepflückt.

Poem H1786
Amsterdam, 2017-08-31

By the edge of a fountain (Anon. [Canada] / Mozart) - 1500
Ballad "Au bord d'une fontaine", set to music by Mozart in 1781 (K360, "Hélas, j'ai perdu mon amant")
Keyword: In love: unanswered 
Composer: Mozart, Wolfgang Amadeus 
 
Anon. [Deutschland]

Spring, this is the time

to enjoy the game of love --


Forward! Move out now!


Lente, nu zal ik
van de liefde genieten --mir die Liebe genießen --
Vooruit! Eropuit!Raus! Jetzt geht es los!

Poem H4333
Amsterdam, 2023-12-03

The joyous face of Spring (Carmina Burana, Carl Orff) - 1200
Song "Veris leta facies" from the collection "Songs from Bebnediktbeuern", set to music by Carl Orff in 1937
Keywords: Love: wish (action), Spring 
Composer: Orff, Carl 
 
Anon. [England]

With the wedding ring

he promises his body --


to her, to serve her.


En met de trouwring
belooft hij haar zijn lichaam --verspricht er seinen Körper --
Om haar te dienen.Um ihr zu dienen.

Poem H4881
Amsterdam, 2024-08-27

Book of Common Prayer (England) - 1552
The "Book of Common Prayer" (second version, 1552) prescribes that at a marriage the groom puts the wedding ring upon the fourth finger of the woman's left hand and thereby says: With this ring I thee wedde; with my body I thee worship; and with all my worldly goodes I thee endow
Keywords: Love: Give To Be, Marriage (wedding) 
 
Anon. [Japan]

What is there to say?

Whirling in the depths, the sea --


roars with my yearning.


Wat zou ik zeggen?
In de diepte kolkt de zee --In der Tiefe braust das Meer --
van mijn verlangen.meines Verlangens.

Poem H2787
Amsterdam, 2020-10-03

Who doesn't speak (Anonymous, Japan) - 974
Anthology "Kokin Rokuj?", no. 2648
Keyword: Desire (unrest) 
 
Anon. [Nederland]

Crept into his bed,

I satisfied the craving --


that had made him sick.


Ik kroop in zijn bed,,
en stilde het verlangen --und stillte die Begierde --
dat hem ziek maakte.die ihn krank machte.

Poem H2814
Amsterdam, 2020-10-25

Lancelot of Denmark (Anonymous, Netherlands) - 1350
Table play "Lanseloet van Denemerken"
Mercyfuck

Keyword: Mercy / Sympathy 
 

My tree is fragant,

I will bear a lot of fruit --


just one bud missing.


Mijn boom geurt heerlijk,
ik zal veel vruchten geven --wird viel Frucht bringen, es fehlt --
er mist maar één bloem.nur éine Blume.

Poem H2815
Amsterdam, 2020-10-25

Lancelot of Denmark (Anonymous, Netherlands) - 1350
Table play "Lanseloet van Denemerken"
After the defloration

Keyword: Virgin 
 

It is great with him,

he is loving me all night --


then it is over.


Het is fijn bij hem,,
heel de nacht bemint hij mij --er liebt mich die ganze Nacht --
dan is het voorbij.dann ist es vorbei.

Poem S1072
Amsterdam, 2020-10-25

Lancelot of Denmark (Anonymous, Netherlands) - 1350
Table play "Lanseloet van Denemerken"
Keyword: Love: heartbreak 
 
Anon. [Palestina]

Please mourn with us thrice,

and then forgive us the vows --


we repudiate.


Treur driemaal met ons,,
vergeef ons de geloftes --vergib uns die Gelübde --
die we verzaken.die wir aufgeben.

Poem H4217
Amsterdam, 2023-10-13

Prayer "All vows" (Anon. [Palestina] / Max Bruch) - -550
Prayer "Kol Nidre", nowadays sung three times at the beginning of Yom Kippur (Day of Atonement); arranged in 1880 by Max Bruch
Keyword: Promise 
Composer: Bruch, Max 
 
Anon. [Vlaanderen]

We want each other,

but not like two birds in rut --


desiring to nest.


Wij willen elkaar,,
maar niet als broedse vogels --ohne Brunst, nicht wie Vögel --
een nest gaan bouwen.die ein Nest bauen.

Poem S1021
Amsterdam, 2020-06-09

Text fragment (Anonymous) - 1100
Homosexuality
"Habent omnes volucres / nidos inceptos / nisi ego et tu / Quid expectamus nunc?"
"Hebban olla uogala / nestas hagunnan // hinase hic anda thu / uuat unbidan uue nu?"
Anonymous Old Dutch (West Flemish) and Old English (Kentish) text fragment ("All birds have begun nests, except me and you. What are we waiting for now?")

Keywords: Love: wish (thought), Relationship 
 
Beregan, Nicolo

Heart of my heart, soul

of my soul, show yourself, then --


I will be happy.


Hart van mijn hart, ziel,
van mijn ziel, laat je zien, dan --bitte zeige dich, nur dann --
ben ik gelukkig.kann ich glücklich sein.

Poem S2621
Amsterdam, 2025-03-31

With delight I will look (Nicolò Beregan / Antonio Vivaldi) - 1724
Air "Vedrò con mio diletto" from the opera "Giustino" (Emperor "Justin", RV 717), 1st act, 8th scene - emperor Anastasio
Keyword: In love: unsure 
Composer: Vivaldi, Antonio 
 
Boiardo, Matteo Maria

The sound of the wind

and the water comforts me --


Tell him of my love!


Het ruisen van wind
en water troost mij, vertel --und Wasser tröstet mich, sag --
hem van mijn liefde!dass ich ihn liebe!

Poem H4928
De Koog, 2024-09-22

Solely through you, my sweet love (Grazio Braccioli / Antonio Vivaldi) - 1714
Air "Zeffiretti, che sussurrate" from the opera "Orlando finto pazzo" ("Orlando, the fake madman", 1714, RV 727, on which the 1723 air "Onde chiara che sussussurate" from the opera "Ercole su'l Termodonte" is based, RV 749.21 and 749.31 [with a second soprano as echo], libretto based on the epic "Orlando innamorato" ("Orlando in love", 1495, Matteo Maria Boiardo) - Origille
Keywords: Comfort (consolation), Love: communication 
Composer: Vivaldi, Antonio 
 
Braccioli, Grazio

The sound of the wind

and the water comforts me --


Tell him of my love!


Het ruisen van wind
en water troost mij, vertel --und Wasser tröstet mich, sag --
hem van mijn liefde!dass ich ihn liebe!

Poem H4928
De Koog, 2024-09-22

Solely through you, my sweet love (Grazio Braccioli / Antonio Vivaldi) - 1714
Air "Zeffiretti, che sussurrate" from the opera "Orlando finto pazzo" ("Orlando, the fake madman", 1714, RV 727, on which the 1723 air "Onde chiara che sussussurate" from the opera "Ercole su'l Termodonte" is based, RV 749.21 and 749.31 [with a second soprano as echo], libretto based on the epic "Orlando innamorato" ("Orlando in love", 1495, Matteo Maria Boiardo) - Origille
Keywords: Comfort (consolation), Love: communication 
Composer: Vivaldi, Antonio 
 

I was floating in

the sea of your eyes, they led --


me into your port.


Ik dreef in de zee
van jouw ogen, ze loodsten --deiner Augen, sie lotsten --
mij jouw haven in.mich in den Hafen.

Poem H4866
Amsterdam, 2024-08-21

Solely through you, my sweet love (Grazio Braccioli / Antonio Vivaldi) - 1727
Air "Sol da te, mio dolce amore" from the opera "Orlando furioso" (1727, RV 728, Antonio Vivaldi), libretto Grazio Braccioli, based on the epic "Orlando furioso" (1516, Ludovico Ariosto)
Keyword: In love: happiness 
Composer: Vivaldi, Antonio 
 
Chaucer, Geoffrey

Love adorns itself

with longing and with sadness --


with insomnia.


Liefde versiert zich
met verlangen, met verdriet --mit Sehnsucht und mit Kummer --
en slapeloosheid.mit Schlaflosigkeit.

Poem S1056
Amsterdam, 0000-00-00

Tales of Caunterbury (Geoffrey Chaucer) - 1400
"Knight's Tale"
Keyword: Desire (craving, lust) 
 
Cleland, John

He stops my bleeding,

the bloody gorgeous killer --


of my maidenhead.


Hij stelpt mijn bloeding,,
de bloedmooie moordenaar --der wunderschönen Mörder --
van mijn maagdenvlies.meiner Korona.

Poem H2710
Amsterdam, 2020-05-31

Memoirs of a Woman of Pleasure - 1748
Novel
Keyword: Love: intimacy (physical) 
 
Da Ponte, Lorenzo

Ladies, you know it,

so tell me, are cold and heat --


the symptoms of Love?


Jullie weten het,,
zeg mij, zijn kou en hitte --sind Kälte und Hitze das --
wat de Liefde is?was die Liebe ist?

Poem H4909
Amsterdam, 2024-09-10

You who know (what love is) (Lorenzo da Ponte / Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart) - 1786
Air "Voi che sapete", opera "Le nozze di Figaro" ("Figaro's wedding"), based on the comedy by Pierre Beaumarchais - Act 2
Keywords: In love: physical, Body: and mind 
Composer: Mozart, Wolfgang Amadeus 
 
De La Rochef., Francois

Control, sympathy,

and longing for a nice time:


the love mystery.


Heerszucht, sympathie,,
en het fijn willen hebben:eine tolle Zeit haben:
het liefdesraadsel.das Liebesrätsel.

Poem S1163
Amsterdam, 2021-04-29

It's hard to define love (François de la Rochefoucauld) - 1664
"Il est difficile à définir l'amour" (#68 in "Réflexions ou sentences et maximes morales")
Keyword: Love: bond 
 
Des Prez, Josquin

Only now I do

realise, how sweet your look --


was when I left you.


Pas nu besef ik,
hoe lief jij naar mij keek toen --wie liebreich dein Antlitz war --
ik bij je wegging.als ich dich verließ.

Poem S0106
Amsterdam, 2013-11-02

A thousand regrets (Josquin des Prez) - 1500
Song "Mille regretz"
Keyword: Regret 
 
Dros, Imme

The goddess of love

likes to sleep with the strong god --


of war and killing.


Graag slaapt de godin
van de liefde bij de god --schläft gerne mit dem Gott des --
van oorlog en dood.Krieges, des Todes.

Poem S0901
Amsterdam, 2019-06-26

The power of love - The myths of Pygmalion, Narkissos, Tereus, Orfeus en Helena - 1997
Stories "De macht van de liefde - De mythen van Pygmalion, Narkissos, Tereus, Orfeus en Helena"
Aphrodite and Ares

Keyword: Love: unity / universal 
 

Ah, Desire, the son

of Love and War: so playful --


and so destructive.


Begeerte, de zoon
van Liefde en Oorlog: speels --von Liebe und Krieg: verspielt --
en vernietigend.und zerstörerisch.

Poem S0902
Amsterdam, 2019-06-27

The power of love - The myths of Pygmalion, Narkissos, Tereus, Orfeus en Helena (Imme Dros) - 1997
Eros, the first lover of Aphrodite, later considered her son from Ares
Stories "De macht van de liefde - De mythen van Pygmalion, Narkissos, Tereus, Orfeus en Helena"

Keyword: Desire (craving, lust) 
 

Who's ready to give

his life for you? Your loved one!


who you want to keep.


Wie wil zijn leven
voor jou geven? Je liefste!sein Leben geben? Dein Lieb!
die je wilt houden.das du schützen willst.

Poem S0905
Amsterdam, 2019-06-30

Love and what passes for it - The myths of Medeia and Iason, Alkestis and Admetos, Psyche and Eros - 2000
Stories "Liefde en wat ervoor doorgaat - De mythen van Medeia en Iason, Alkestis en Admetos, Psyche en Eros"
Admetos and his wife Alkestis, who sacrificed herself for him

Keyword: Love: Give To Be 
 
Garfunkel, Art

I don't want to start

over with you, it cannot --


be that pure again.


Ik wil niet opnieuw
beginnen met jou, zo puur --nicht neu anfangen, so rein --
kan het nooit meer zijn.kann's nie wieder sein.

Poem H5258
Amsterdam, 2025-02-18

Scarborough Fair (Anon. [England]) - 1670
Song (1670), album "Parsley, Sage, Rosemary and Thyme" (1966)
Keyword: Love: memory 
 
Grimani, Vincenzo

If only there was

a sea for my stream of tears --


a chest to cry on.


Was er maar een zee
voor mijn tranenstroom, een borst --meinen Tränenstrom, eine --
om op te huilen.Brust zum Ausweinen.

Poem H5192
Amsterdam, 2025-01-22

Wenn a hazy stream (Vincenzo Grimani / Georg Friedrich Händel) - 1708
Air "Se vago rio" (Vincenzo Grimani, music Georg Friedrich Händel, HWV83), from the opera "Aminta e Fillide" ("Aminta and Fillide") - Aminta
Keywords: Sadness: suffer, Love: heartbreak 
Composer: Handel, Georg Friedrich 
 
Hafez

Don't pay attention

to the dimple in her chin!


You'd fall into it.


Pas op, let niet op
het lachkuiltje in haar kin --Lachgrübchen in ihrem Kinn --
of je valt erin.sonst fällst du hinein.

Poem S0784
Amsterdam, 2018-09-12

Where is the rectitude of work? (Hafez) - 1350
Ghazal (Ode) 2
Keyword: In love: allurement 
 

Love is pure as gold,

so do never exchange it --


for counterfeit coins.


Liefde is zuiver
als goud, wissel haar niet in --wie Gold, tausche sie niemals --
voor valse munten.gegen Falschmünzen.

Poem H2275
Airplane Amsterdam-Marseille, 2018-09-14

A friend, free from defect (Hafez) - 1350
Ghazal (Ode) 45
Keyword: Love: care 
 

An alchemist melts,

in his soul, counterfeit coins --


down into love gold.


Een alchemist smelt
in zijn ziel valse munten --in der Seele Falschmünzen --
om tot liefdesgoud.um zu Liebesgold.

Poem H2276
Airplane Amsterdam-Marseille, 2018-09-14

Of itself, my heart is entangled in the snare of your tress (Hafez) - 1350
Ghazal (Ode) 50
Keyword: Love: unity / universal 
 

Nobody is as

good as the landlord, always --


he's pouring out love.


Niemand is er zo
goed als de kroegbaas, altijd --wie der Gastwirt, immerzu --
schenkt hij weer liefde.schenkt er Liebe ein.

Poem H2277
Vaison-la-Romaine, 2018-09-14

Love's path is a path without shore (Hafez) - 1350
Ghazal (Ode) 72
Keyword: Love: nourishes 
 

Accept, narrow or

broad, the way of love, because --


it never will end.


Aanvaard, smal of breed,,
de weg van de liefde, want --geh den Weg der Liebe, denn --
die kent geen einde.er hat kein Ende.

Poem H2278
Vaison-la-Romaine, 2018-09-14

There is no luminous glance from your face (Hafez) - 1350
Ghazal (Ode) 73
Keyword: Love: is all 
 
Lalli, Domenico

I don't want to spoil

my happiness, I have to --


keep hoping in you.


Ik wil mijn geluk
niet bederven, dus moet ik --nicht verderben, deshalb muss --
wel op jou hopen.ich auf dich hoffen.

Poem H5290
Amsterdam, 2025-03-06

Beloved, you are my hope (Giovanni Palazzi and Domenico Lalli / Antonio Vivaldi) - 1720
Air "Amato ben, tu sei la mia speranza" from the opera "La verità in cimento" ("Truth in Contention", RV 739), 2nt act, 2nd scene - Rosane
Keywords: Love: wish (thought), Hope (passive) 
Composer: Vivaldi, Antonio 
 
Li, Duan

I play zither well,

but I make a few mistakes --


then he looks at me.


Ik speel goed citer,,
maar maak af en toe een fout --aber mache auch Fehler --
dan kijkt hij naar mij.dann sieht er mich an.

Poem H2799
Amsterdam, 2020-10-10

She plays the zither (Duan Li) - 770
Keyword: In love:  
 
Lin, Bu

Darling, go ahead,

then I can make love to you --


in warm bed linen.


Liefste, ga alvast,,
dan kan ik met je vrijen --dann werde ich dich lieben --
in warm beddegoed.in warmem Bettzeug.

Poem H2801
Amsterdam, 2020-10-11

She wants to close the mosquito net to make love (Bu Lin) - 1020
Keyword: Comfort 
 
Lucchini, Antonio

Her glance has wounded

me deeply, it pierced my heart --


oh, arrow of love!


Haar oogopslag heeft
me diep verwond, in mijn hart --mich zutiefst, in dem Herzen --
als een liefdespijl.wie ein Liebespfeil.

Poem H5142
Amsterdam, 2024-12-24

At the caress of a face (Antonio Lucchini / Antonio Vivaldi) - 1727
Air "Al vezzeggiar d'un volto", from the opera "Farnace" ("Pharnaces II of Pontus", Antonio Lucchini, music Antonio Vivaldi, RV 711), 1st act, 9th scene - Selinda
Keyword: In love: physical 
Composer: Vivaldi, Antonio 
 
Maffei, Scipione

Can it comfort me,

that I am in love with him --


who holds me captive?


Kan het mij troosten,
mijn verliefdheid op hem die --ich in den verliebt bin, der --
mij gevangen houdt?mich gefangen hält?

Poem H4929
De Koog, 2024-09-23

Soul oppressed [by cruel fate] (Scipione Maffei / Antonio Vivaldi) - 1732
Air "Alma oppressa [dà sorte crudele]" from the opera "La fida ninfa" ("The faithful nymph", RV 714), 1st act, 9th scene - Licori
Keyword: In love: unsure 
Composer: Vivaldi, Antonio 
 

Madness, vanity,

or genuine love: I will --


be yours forever!


Waanzin, ijdelheid,,
of ware liefde: ik blijf --oder wahre Liebe: Dein --
altijd de jouwe!werde ich bleiben!

Poem H4930
De Koog, 2024-09-23

My heart to the one to whom it has given itself (Scipione Maffei / Antonio Vivaldi) - 1732
Air "Il mio core a chi la diede" from the opera "La fida ninfa" ("The faithful nymph", RV 714), 2nd act, 1st scene – Licori (nymph)
Keyword: Love: surrender 
Composer: Vivaldi, Antonio 
 

Is this my fate, to

keep crying since I lost her --


and found her again?


Is dit mijn lot, dat
ik huil sinds ik haar verloor --sie verloren und wieder-
en weer terugvond?gefunden habe.

Poem H4931
De Koog, 2024-09-23

Miserly fate (Scipione Maffei / Antonio Vivaldi) - 1732
Air "Destin avaro" from the opera "La fida ninfa" ("The faithful nymph", RV 714), 2nd act, 10th scene - Morasto
Keywords: Feelings (emotion), Reunion 
Composer: Vivaldi, Antonio 
 

My heart almost dies

from the fear that she can no --


longer choose my love.


Mijn hart sterft bijna
van de angst dat zij niet meer --Angst, dass sie sich nicht mehr für --
voor mij kiezen kan.mich entscheiden kann.

Poem H5991
Amsterdam, 2024-10-28

Tell me, oh, tell me at last (Scipione Maffei / Antonio Vivaldi) - 1732
Air "Dite, ohimè, ditelo al fine" ("Tell me, oh, tell me at last" - Did Licori really drown?), from the opera "La fida ninfa" ("The faithful nymph", 1732, Scipione Maffei, music Antonio Vivaldi, RV 714), 3rd act, 10th scene - Morasto
Keyword: In love: uncertain 
Composer: Vivaldi, Antonio 
 
Metastasio, Pietro

Whenever the wind

softly brushes your sweet face --


it will be my breath.


Wanneer de wind zacht
over jouw gezicht strijkt, zal --leise dein Gesicht streift, wird --
dat mijn adem zijn.es mein Atem sein.

Poem H6004
Amsterdam, 2025-11-11

If you ever feel a light breath on your face (Pietro Metastasio / Antonio Vivaldi, Christoph W. Gluck) - 1727
Air "Se mai senti spirarti sul volto" (libretto Pietro Metastasio for the opera "Catone in Utica" ("Cato in Utica"), among others, set to music by Antonio Vivaldi (in 1737, RV 705), and by Christoph W. Gluck (in 1752: "La clemenza di Tito" ["The clemency of Titus"]) - 2nd act, 2nd scene - Caesar / Sextus
Keywords: Love: memory, Breath 
Composers: Vivaldi, Antonio; Gluck, Christoph W. 
 

Love is a tempest

that first throws us off course and --


then plays with our minds.


Liefde is een storm,
die ons stuurloos maakt en dan --der uns steuerlos macht und --
speelt met ons verstand.dann den Geist verwirrt.

Poem S2377
De Koog, 2024-09-23

We are ships on the rising waves (Pietro Metastasio / Antonio Vivaldi) - 1733
Air "Siam navi all'onde algenti" from the opera "l'Olimpiade" (1733, Pietro Metastasio, music 1734, Antonio Vivaldi, RV 725), 2nd act, 5th scene - Aminta
Keywords: In love: euphoria, Reason: and feelings 
Composer: Vivaldi, Antonio 
 

Slow down now and wait

with me, as in your slumber --


love flares up fiercely.


Vertraag nu en wacht,,
met mij, terwijl in jouw slaap --während in deinem Schlummer --
de liefde ontvlamt.die Liebe aufflammt.

Poem H4838
Amsterdam, 2024-08-08

While you sleep (Pietro Metastasio / Antonio Vivaldi) - 1734
Air "Mentre dormi" ("While you sleep", 1734, Antonio Vivaldi, RV 725), from the opera "La olimpiada" ("The Olympiad" / "The Olympics", libretto 1733, Pietro Metastasio)
Keyword: Expectation 
Composer: Vivaldi, Antonio 
 
Noris, Matteo

I cannot marry

you, but forever I will --


love you and be yours.


Ik kan niet trouwen
met jou, maar voor altijd zal --dich nicht, aber für immer --
ik de jouwe zijn.werde ich dein sein.

Poem S2534
Amsterdam, 2025-01-28

I shall soon leave you now (Matteo Noris / Antonio Vivaldi) - 1719
Air "Ti lascerei, gl'affretti miei" ("I shall soon leave you now" [as one condemned to death by my father, marry him now instead of me], 1719, Matteo Noris, music Antonio Vivaldi, RV 738/778), from the opera "Tito Manlio" ("Titus Manlius"), 3rd act, scene 9 - Tito's son Manlio (soprano in travesti)
Keyword: Love: fidelity 
Composer: Vivaldi, Antonio 
 
Ottoboni, Antonio

Sleep, anger, so that

the lightning of your beauty --


can't strike anyone.


Slaap, boosheid, opdat
de bliksem van jouw schoonheid --der Kriegsblitz deiner Schönheit --
niemand van ons treft.keinen von uns trifft.

Poem S2977
Amsterdam, 2024-09-28

Sleep, oh lightning of war (Antonio Ottoboni / Alessandro Scarlatti) - 1697
Air ""Dormi, o fulmine di guerra", from the oratorio "La Giuditta" (Judith)
Keywords: Combat readiness, Bible 
Composer: Scarlatti, Alessandro 
 
Palazzi, Giovanni

I don't want to spoil

my happiness, I have to --


keep hoping in you.


Ik wil mijn geluk
niet bederven, dus moet ik --nicht verderben, deshalb muss --
wel op jou hopen.ich auf dich hoffen.

Poem H5290
Amsterdam, 2025-03-06

Beloved, you are my hope (Giovanni Palazzi and Domenico Lalli / Antonio Vivaldi) - 1720
Air "Amato ben, tu sei la mia speranza" from the opera "La verità in cimento" ("Truth in Contention", RV 739), 2nt act, 2nd scene - Rosane
Keywords: Love: wish (thought), Hope (passive) 
Composer: Vivaldi, Antonio 
 
Picander

You're no longer here,

but your love remains with me --


and that comforts me.


Jij bent er niet meer,,
maar jouw liefde blijft bij mij --aber deine Liebe ist --
en dat verkwikt me.und sie erquickt mich.

Poem H5368
Amsterdam, 2025-04-11

Jesus, your graceful glances (Picander / Johann Sebastian Bach) - 1738
Oratorio for Ascension Day "Lobet Gott in seinen Reichen" ("Laud to God in all his kingdoms", BWV 11 / BC D9), air "Jesu, deine Gnadenblicke"
Keyword: Love: nourishes 
Composer: Bach, Johann Sebastian 
 

I just rock myself

in the words I sing, oh, if --


only you were here...


Ik wieg mijzelf maar
in de woorden die ik zing --den Worten, die ich singe --
Ach, was jij maar hier...Wenn du nur hier wärst...

Poem H5369
Amsterdam, 2025-04-11

Oh, stay, my dearest life (Picander / Johann Sebastian Bach) - 1738
Oratorio for Ascension Day "Lobet Gott in seinen Reichen" ("Laud to God in all his kingdoms", BWV 11 / BC D9), air "Ach, bleibe doch, mein liebstes Leben"
Keyword: Missing: loved one(s) 
Composer: Bach, Johann Sebastian 
 
Pirandello, Luigi

The white butterfly

moves, to save it, I quickly --


put out the candle.


De witte vlinder,
beweegt, om hem te redden --um ihn zu retten, lösche --
doof ik vlug de kaars.ich schnell die Kerze.

Poem H3646
Amsterdam, 2023-01-05

Fragment of a chronicle of Marco Leccio and his war on the map in the time of the Great War in Europe, VIII (Luigi Pirandello) - 1919
Story "Frammento di cronaca di Marco Leccio e della sua guerra sulla carta nel tempo della grande guerra europea", VIII
Keywords: Care: animals / things, Flying: butterfly / moth 
 
Rinuccini, Ottavio

My love is leaving

as if I just don't exist --


Farewell, be happy.


Mijn liefste vertrekt,
alsof ik niet meer besta --als ob er mich nicht mehr kennt --
Vaarwel, veel geluk.Leb wohl, sei glücklich.

Poem H5305
Amsterdam, 2025-03-11

Let me die (Ottavio Rinuccinio / Claudio Monteverdi) - 1608
Air "Lasciatemi morire" (SV 22), from the opera "L'Arianna" ("Ariadne", SV 291) - Ariadne
Keyword: Love: heartbreak 
Composer: Monteverdi, Claudio 
 

The fire of my love

melts the ice of his deceit --


into many tears.


Mijn liefde voor hem
smelt het ijs van zijn bedrog --schmilzt das Eis seines Betrugs --
tot heel veel tranen.zu vielen Tränen.

Poem S2590
Amsterdam, 2025-03-11

The Nymph's Lament (Ottavio Rinuccinio / Claudio Monteverdi) - 1638
Madrigal "Lamento della Ninfa" (SV 163)
Keyword: Love: infidelity 
Composer: Monteverdi, Claudio 
 
Rolli, Paolo Antonio

Yes, I'd like to pick

you, but certainly not as --


the only flower.


Ik wil jou plukken,
dat is waar, maar zeker niet --dich pflücken, aber nicht als --
als enige bloem.einzige Blume.

Poem S2576
Amsterdam, 2025-02-25

If you love me, if you sigh (Paolo Antonio Rolli / Antonio Vivaldi) - 1727
Air ('Little song') "Se tu m'ami, se sospiri" (Paolo Antonio Rolli, music Antonio Vivaldi [in 1888 music Alessandro Parisotti])
Keyword: Desire (craving, lust) 
Composer: Vivaldi, Antonio 
 
Rossi, Giacomo

Let me weep and sigh,

I really need to be free --


to win him over.


Laat me toch zuchten,,
ik wil de vrijheid om hem --ich möchte frei sein, ihn für --
voor me te winnen.mich zu gewinnen.

Poem S2717
Amsterdam, 2025-06-14

Let me, that I weep (Giacomo Rossi / Georg Friedrich Händel) - 1711
Air "Lascia ch'io pianga", from the opera "Rinaldo" (HWV7), 2nd act - Almirena
Keyword: Love: wish (expressed) 
Composer: Handel, Georg Friedrich 
 
Rumi, Mohamed

Bring our friend home,

go to him, bring him around --


with all my ardour!


Breng onze vriend thuis,
ga op reis, overreed hem --Heim, geht, überredet ihn --
met al mijn liefde!mit meiner Liebe!

Poem H3185
Amsterdam, 2022-01-28

Ghazal 163 "Go, my friends" (Muhammad Rumi) - 1247
Keyword: Friendship: bond 
 

She's upset: I didn't

look at her for a second --


but at the roses.


Mijn vriendin is boos::
ik keek even niet naar haar --ich sah kurz auf die Rosen --
maar naar de rozen.also nicht auf sie.

Poem S0440
Amsterdam, 2016-12-08

Quatrain #1776: I went strolling with my beloved (Muhammad Rumi) - 1250
Keyword: Disfavour / Jealousy / Envy 
 

My darling kisses

me and cries: Come on, wake up!


You see me, don't you?


Mijn liefste kust me
huilend: Word toch eens wakker!weinend: Wache doch mal auf!
Je ziet me toch, dus?Du siehst mich, oder?

Poem H1619
Amsterdam, 2016-12-10

Quatrain: Last night my darling came to me (Muhammad Rumi) - 1250
Keyword: Love: wish (expressed) 
 

Why does it happen,

why does my heart open out --


to love, constantly?


Waarom is het zo,,
waarom opent mijn hart zich --wieso öffnet mein Herz sich --
steeds voor de liefde?immer für Liebe?

Poem H2293
Amsterdam, 2018-09-27

Water of life (Muhammad Rumi) - 1250
Ghazal (Ode) 2760
Keywords: Love: wish (thought), Passion 
 

Masculinity,

of all men, is just nothing --


of value in love.


De mannelijkheid
van alle mannen is niets --aller Männer ist gar nichts --
waard in de liefde.wert in der Liebe.

Poem H2295
Amsterdam, 2018-09-27

Born out of love (Muhammad Rumi) - 1250
Ghazal (Ode) 843
Keyword: Love: surrender 
 

Don't go to sleep, you

long to love, dare to do it --


and don't go to sleep!


Ga niet slapen, jij
wilt graag liefhebben, durf het --möchtest lieben, wage es --
en ga niet slapen!und geh nicht schlafen!

Poem H3187
Amsterdam, 2022-01-28

Quatrains "The breeze at dawn" (Muhammad Rumi) - 1250
Ghazal 171 "A great wagon" part 4
Keywords: Love: unity / universal, Illusions: see through 
 
Saigyo

Next spring I'll go back

to see the blossoms, search them --


where I've never been.


Ik zal teruggaan
voor de bloesems, ze zoeken --für die Blüten, suche sie --
waar ik nog niet was.wo ich noch nie war.

Poem H3767
Amsterdam, 2023-03-22

On Mount Yoshino (Saigyo) - 1190
Poem "Yoshinoyama" by the monk ("Hoshi") Saigyo (1118-1190) / "I'll forget the trail"(translation by Burton Watson)
Yoshinoyama / kozo no shiori no / michi kaete / mada minu kata no / hana o tazunen

Keyword: Nature: flowers 
 

I do not know why,

but just out of gratitude --


I am moved to tears.


Ik weet niet waarom,,
maar van dankbaarheid ben ik --aber nur vor Dankbarkeit --
een en al tranen.bin ich ganz Tränen.

Poem H3768
Amsterdam, 2023-03-22

Whatever it is (Saigyo) - 1190
Poem by the monk ("Hoshi") Saigyo (1118-1190)
Keyword: Gratitude 
 
Salvi, Antonio

When a man laughs, he

threatens, when he seduces --


he's killing your love.


Wanneer een man lacht
dreigt hij, wanneer hij verleidt --er, wenn er verführt, tötet --
doodt hij jouw liefde.er deine Liebe.

Poem S2579
Amsterdam, 2025-02-28

With a flattering look (Antonio Salvi / Antonio Vivaldi) - 1723
Air "Con aspetto lusinghiero" from the opera "Ercole su'l Termodonte" ("Hercules on the [river] Thermodon", RV 710), 1st act, 2nd scene - Antiope (Queen of the Amazons): With a flattering look a man threatens when he laughs. When he jokes, he is even more proud. When he entices, he kills.
Keyword: Love: seducing 
Composer: Vivaldi, Antonio 
 
Simon, Paul

I don't want to start

over with you, it cannot --


be that pure again.


Ik wil niet opnieuw
beginnen met jou, zo puur --nicht neu anfangen, so rein --
kan het nooit meer zijn.kann's nie wieder sein.

Poem H5258
Amsterdam, 2025-02-18

Scarborough Fair (Anon. [England]) - 1670
Song (1670), album "Parsley, Sage, Rosemary and Thyme" (1966)
Keyword: Love: memory 
 
Striggio, Alessandro

I'm alive, but why

should that be now that you're dead?


Oh, for good, for good?


Wat is het leven
nog voor mij nu jij dood bent?leben, jetzt wo du tot bist?
O, voorgoed, voorgoed?Für immer, immer?

Poem H5304
Amsterdam, 2025-03-11

You are dead (Alessandro Striggio / Claudio Monteverdi) - 1607
Air "Tu se' morta" from the opera "L'Orfeo" ("Orpheus", SV 318), 2nt act - Orpheus
Keyword: Love: heartbreak 
Composer: Monteverdi, Claudio 
 
Tate, Nahum

Ah, no one will know

who I was, only my fate --


will be remembered.


Niemand zal weten,
wie ik was, alleen mijn lot --wer ich war, nur mein Schicksal --
zal bekend blijven.wird bekannt bleiben.

Poem H5303
Amsterdam, 2025-03-11

When I am laid in earth (Nahum Tate / Henry Purcell) - 1689
Air ("Dido's Lament"), from the opera "Dido and Aeneas" (based on Virgil's "Aeneid" and Francesco Cavalli's opera "Didone"), Z. 626, 3rt act - Dido
Keyword: Stories: exemplary 
Composer: Purcell, Henry 
 
Zeno, Apostolo

Do you care more

about him, do I still have --


a chance at your love?


Geef jij meer om hem
dan om mij, maak ik nog kans --ihn, habe ich noch Aussicht --
op jou, jouw liefde?auf deine Liebe?

Poem H5603
Amsterdam, 2025-06-13

(Apostolo Zeno / Antonio Vivaldi) - 1728
Air "Cor mio che prigion sei in sen della beltà" (1709, revised version in 1728, Apostolo Zeno, RV 702), from the opera "L'Atenaide" ("The Athenian", Aelia Eudocia), 3rd act, scene 8 - General Marziano
Keyword: In love: unsure 
Composer: Vivaldi, Antonio 
 

My husband scorns me,

though I love him very much --


Oh, what can I do?


Mijn man versmaad mij,,
terwijl ik veel van hem houd --obwohl ich ihn sehr liebe --
O, wat kan ik doen?Oh, was kann ich tun?

Poem S2548
Amsterdam, 2025-02-05

I am a scorned wife (Apostolo Zeno / Geminiano Giacomelli) - 1734
Air "Sposa son disprezzata" (lyrics Apostolo Zeno), from the opera "La Merope" ("Queen Merope") - Irene
Keyword: Love: infidelity 
Composer: Giacomelli, Geminiano 
 
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