Have you read this bit of Byron's Beppo comparing english and italian:
I love the language, that soft bastard Latin, Which melts like kisses from a female mouth, And sounds as if it should be writ on satin. With syllables which breathe of the sweet South, And gentle liquids gliding all so pat in That not a single accent seems uncouth, Like our northern, whistling, grunting gutteral, Which we're obliged to hiss, and spit, and sputter all.
I love the women too (forgive my folly) From the rich peasant-cheek of ruddy bronze, And large black eyes that flash on you a volley Of rays that say a thousand things at once, To the high drama's brow, more melancholy, But clear, and with a wild and liquid glance, Heart on her lips, and soul within her eyes, Soft as her clime, and sunny as her skies.
I think he disagrees. God, I've got so much pissing time on my hands again!
Will, I love you! That's amazing :D It was actually while learning Italian that I decided to write this poem, as I reckon you worked out. Everywhere I look it is called the beautiful language, which it really is, but no more beautiful than French or English :)
I think all three flow really nicely, to be honest. I find it hard to decide which one is more poetic. Spanish certainly isn't. The beauty of English is the expressiveness, though, and the fact that there are more ways of rhyming English words than in most other languages, apart from French which has a nice array of word endings too. As for internal rhyme, the jury is out.
What d'you reckon? I love your feedback on my poems, I wish there was more!! And as for visiting, I will come down as soon as possible :D :D
Hi Pete,
ReplyDeleteHave you read this bit of Byron's Beppo comparing english and italian:
I love the language, that soft bastard Latin,
Which melts like kisses from a female mouth,
And sounds as if it should be writ on satin.
With syllables which breathe of the sweet South,
And gentle liquids gliding all so pat in
That not a single accent seems uncouth,
Like our northern, whistling, grunting gutteral,
Which we're obliged to hiss, and spit, and sputter all.
I love the women too (forgive my folly)
From the rich peasant-cheek of ruddy bronze,
And large black eyes that flash on you a volley
Of rays that say a thousand things at once,
To the high drama's brow, more melancholy,
But clear, and with a wild and liquid glance,
Heart on her lips, and soul within her eyes,
Soft as her clime, and sunny as her skies.
I think he disagrees. God, I've got so much pissing time on my hands again!
Come visit.
Will
Will, I love you! That's amazing :D It was actually while learning Italian that I decided to write this poem, as I reckon you worked out. Everywhere I look it is called the beautiful language, which it really is, but no more beautiful than French or English :)
DeleteI think all three flow really nicely, to be honest. I find it hard to decide which one is more poetic. Spanish certainly isn't. The beauty of English is the expressiveness, though, and the fact that there are more ways of rhyming English words than in most other languages, apart from French which has a nice array of word endings too. As for internal rhyme, the jury is out.
What d'you reckon? I love your feedback on my poems, I wish there was more!! And as for visiting, I will come down as soon as possible :D :D