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| Ferdinando Russo |
Translated and annotated by Cav. Avv. Charles Sant’Elia
[In this installment of Meridiunalata/ Southernade, a bilingual offering of Duosiciliano poetry, we are publishing Ferdinando Russo's epic poem ‘O Luciano d’’o Re - The King’s Luciano in its original Neapolitan and for the first time ever in English. Due to space considerations, we are posting the masterpiece in three parts. – Il Regno]
IV
18.ª
Comme lle pïaceva ‘a capunata!
Quase ogne juorno na capunatella!
Se ne faceva justo na scialata,
e doppo, ‘o bicchierino e ‘a pastarella.
Po’, cu na bona tazza ‘e ciucculata,
se pastiggiava sempe ‘a marennella…
Ah, chella tazza! Chella tazza fuie,
ca, comm’a mo’, nce ha ‘rruvinato a nuie!
Quase ogne juorno na capunatella!
Se ne faceva justo na scialata,
e doppo, ‘o bicchierino e ‘a pastarella.
Po’, cu na bona tazza ‘e ciucculata,
se pastiggiava sempe ‘a marennella…
Ah, chella tazza! Chella tazza fuie,
ca, comm’a mo’, nce ha ‘rruvinato a nuie!
19.ª
Che nce mettette ‘a rinto, chillo ‘mpiso
ca, pe farlo murì, l’avvelenaie?
Meglio era s’isso nce mureva acciso!
Isso, ch’è stato ‘a causa ‘e tutt”e guaie!
‘O Rre nuosto ‘o ssapette, ‘nparaviso,
e certo, ‘o ggiurarrìa, nce ‘o pperdunaie!
Ma si nun era ‘o ttuòsseco ‘e sta tazza,
n’avriamo viste tanta cane ‘e chiazza!
ca, pe farlo murì, l’avvelenaie?
Meglio era s’isso nce mureva acciso!
Isso, ch’è stato ‘a causa ‘e tutt”e guaie!
‘O Rre nuosto ‘o ssapette, ‘nparaviso,
e certo, ‘o ggiurarrìa, nce ‘o pperdunaie!
Ma si nun era ‘o ttuòsseco ‘e sta tazza,
n’avriamo viste tanta cane ‘e chiazza!
20ª
Lassammo sta’! Nun ricurdammo niente!
Quanno nce penzo me sento malato!
Se verèvano a sciumme, ‘e ppèzze ‘argiente!
Mo’ è raro pure ‘o sòrdo scartellato!
Trasètteno?… Ma a botte ‘e trademiente!
Nun me dicite ca me so’ ngannato!
Trasètteno, gnorsì!… Senza cammise!
E ‘o ddicevano stesso ‘e piamuntise!
Quanno nce penzo me sento malato!
Se verèvano a sciumme, ‘e ppèzze ‘argiente!
Mo’ è raro pure ‘o sòrdo scartellato!
Trasètteno?… Ma a botte ‘e trademiente!
Nun me dicite ca me so’ ngannato!
Trasètteno, gnorsì!… Senza cammise!
E ‘o ddicevano stesso ‘e piamuntise!
21.ª
Mo’ lloro stanno ‘a coppa!… Mo’ sta bene!
Ma, p’arrivà, n’hanno magnato sivo!…
A Palazzo Riale, ‘e ccasce chiene!
Nce hanno spurpato anfino all’uosso vivo!
M’aggia sta’ zitto, è ove’? Nun ve cummene
‘e me sentì parlà?… Ve fa currivo?!
Llà s’avriano jucato a paro e sparo
pure ‘o Santo Tesoro ‘e San Gennaro!
Ma, p’arrivà, n’hanno magnato sivo!…
A Palazzo Riale, ‘e ccasce chiene!
Nce hanno spurpato anfino all’uosso vivo!
M’aggia sta’ zitto, è ove’? Nun ve cummene
‘e me sentì parlà?… Ve fa currivo?!
Llà s’avriano jucato a paro e sparo
pure ‘o Santo Tesoro ‘e San Gennaro!
22.ª
So’ biecchio? So’ gnurante? Nun capisco?
Me sustenite ch’è tutt”o ccuntrario?
Embè… voglio sapè che fosse ‘o Fisco!
Nun fui n’aggrisso ‘o cchiù straurdinario?
Io tengo ‘a rrobba, tu m”o mmiette ‘nfrisco,
po’ me rice ca serve pe l’Arario!
Parole nove!… Io nun cumbino cchiù!
St’Arario fui ca t”o mmagnaste tu!
Me sustenite ch’è tutt”o ccuntrario?
Embè… voglio sapè che fosse ‘o Fisco!
Nun fui n’aggrisso ‘o cchiù straurdinario?
Io tengo ‘a rrobba, tu m”o mmiette ‘nfrisco,
po’ me rice ca serve pe l’Arario!
Parole nove!… Io nun cumbino cchiù!
St’Arario fui ca t”o mmagnaste tu!
23.ª
Chi ne sapeva niente, ‘e chesti ttasse?!
L’oro jeva accussì… comm”e lupine!
Ognuno, a gusto suio, magnava ‘e grasse,
cu’e ssacche chiene ‘e rurece-carrine!
Mo’ manco cu ‘e ppatane uno se ngrasse,
ca vanno care comm”e tagliuline!…
Songo gnurante? Avraggio tutt”e tuorte!
Ma… quanno mai, io jastemmavo ‘e muorte?!
L’oro jeva accussì… comm”e lupine!
Ognuno, a gusto suio, magnava ‘e grasse,
cu’e ssacche chiene ‘e rurece-carrine!
Mo’ manco cu ‘e ppatane uno se ngrasse,
ca vanno care comm”e tagliuline!…
Songo gnurante? Avraggio tutt”e tuorte!
Ma… quanno mai, io jastemmavo ‘e muorte?!
24.ª
Me so’ mparato mo’!… È ‘o sango stesso
ca se revota e nce scumbina ‘e ccape!…
ah, tiempo bello!… Si’ squagliato ampresso!
Nui simmo addeventate tanta crape!
Ah, so’ gnurante?… Nce ‘o scuntammo appriesso!
Po’ verimmo sta porta chi l’arape!
‘E palazze?… So’ belle!… ‘E strate?… Pure!
Ma s’è perza ‘a semmenta d”e signure!
ca se revota e nce scumbina ‘e ccape!…
ah, tiempo bello!… Si’ squagliato ampresso!
Nui simmo addeventate tanta crape!
Ah, so’ gnurante?… Nce ‘o scuntammo appriesso!
Po’ verimmo sta porta chi l’arape!
‘E palazze?… So’ belle!… ‘E strate?… Pure!
Ma s’è perza ‘a semmenta d”e signure!
25.ª
Addò stanno, Statella e Muliterno,
nu ruco r”a Riggina o n’Uttaiano!
Fosse cchiù certo ‘e vengere nu terno!
Nun m’avantasse cchiù: “So’ luciano!”
È stata vuluntà d”o Pat’Eterno,
si no, v”o scummettesse a piezzo ‘nmano,
ca, si nun era munzignor Caputo,
chillo, ‘o Sissanta, nun sarria venuto!
nu ruco r”a Riggina o n’Uttaiano!
Fosse cchiù certo ‘e vengere nu terno!
Nun m’avantasse cchiù: “So’ luciano!”
È stata vuluntà d”o Pat’Eterno,
si no, v”o scummettesse a piezzo ‘nmano,
ca, si nun era munzignor Caputo,
chillo, ‘o Sissanta, nun sarria venuto!
V
26.ª
So’ stato marenaro mmiezo ‘a scorta
d”o Rre, malato ‘e chella malatia!
Tutte pronte a vigliarlo! Arreto ‘a porta,
nnanz”a carrozza, sulo, ‘ncumpagnia…
Mai na parola! Mai na faccia storta!
Mai nu suspetto, pe Santa Lucia!
Era sicuro ‘e jì, venì, restá…
‘E luciane suoi stevano llà!…
d”o Rre, malato ‘e chella malatia!
Tutte pronte a vigliarlo! Arreto ‘a porta,
nnanz”a carrozza, sulo, ‘ncumpagnia…
Mai na parola! Mai na faccia storta!
Mai nu suspetto, pe Santa Lucia!
Era sicuro ‘e jì, venì, restá…
‘E luciane suoi stevano llà!…
27.ª
Stevano llà! Na squatra pronta a tutto!
Ogne parola, ogne guardata, ogn’atto!
Viaggio tristo assai! Viaggio brutto!
Cchiù de na vota s’è purtato ‘nquatto!
Isso, ca ne vulea tirà ‘o ccustrutto,
n’arrivava a sapé che s’era fatto
pe chella malatia misteriosa,
accussì nfama e tantu mai schifosa!
Ogne parola, ogne guardata, ogn’atto!
Viaggio tristo assai! Viaggio brutto!
Cchiù de na vota s’è purtato ‘nquatto!
Isso, ca ne vulea tirà ‘o ccustrutto,
n’arrivava a sapé che s’era fatto
pe chella malatia misteriosa,
accussì nfama e tantu mai schifosa!
28.ª
Vi’ c’anno fui, chillo Cinquantanove
cu chillo spusalizzio ‘e Francischiello!
L’otto ‘e Jennaro, chiove, chiove e chiove!
C’aveva fa? Partette, ‘o puveriello!
Lampe e saette, mmiezo ‘e strate nove,
e pigliaimo nu bello purpetiello…
Già, ‘o Rre, ca nce credeva, ‘a jettatura,
se ll’era ntruitata, sta sbentura!
cu chillo spusalizzio ‘e Francischiello!
L’otto ‘e Jennaro, chiove, chiove e chiove!
C’aveva fa? Partette, ‘o puveriello!
Lampe e saette, mmiezo ‘e strate nove,
e pigliaimo nu bello purpetiello…
Già, ‘o Rre, ca nce credeva, ‘a jettatura,
se ll’era ntruitata, sta sbentura!
29.ª
Partenno aveva ritto: “Si ncuntrammo
nu monaco, nu zuoppo o nu scucciato,
sarrà nu malaùrio! Cammenammo!…„
E da nu piezzo se sentea malato.
Nun fui parola ritta, nui guardammo,
e già ‘o penziero suio s’era avverato!
Chi ncuntrammo? Tre muònece! ‘O ddicette!
E scatasciaino trònole e saette!
nu monaco, nu zuoppo o nu scucciato,
sarrà nu malaùrio! Cammenammo!…„
E da nu piezzo se sentea malato.
Nun fui parola ritta, nui guardammo,
e già ‘o penziero suio s’era avverato!
Chi ncuntrammo? Tre muònece! ‘O ddicette!
E scatasciaino trònole e saette!
30.ª
A Mugnano, cu ‘o friddo dint’all’ossa,
scennette e jette a Santa Filumena.
Isso, ‘e figlie, ‘a Riggina, rossa rossa,
sott’a nu viento ca ‘o Signore ‘o mmena!
Se sape! ‘O sango lle fa tale mossa,
ca dint”a cchiesia se riggeva appena!
Doppo, s’abbatte ncopp’a nu cuscino,
e che nuttata cana, anfi’ ‘Avellino!
scennette e jette a Santa Filumena.
Isso, ‘e figlie, ‘a Riggina, rossa rossa,
sott’a nu viento ca ‘o Signore ‘o mmena!
Se sape! ‘O sango lle fa tale mossa,
ca dint”a cchiesia se riggeva appena!
Doppo, s’abbatte ncopp’a nu cuscino,
e che nuttata cana, anfi’ ‘Avellino!
31.ª
Meno male ca po’ se repigliaie
e ‘o juorno appriesso, all’unnece, partette!
Ma credite ca ‘o tiempo s’accunciaie?
‘O nfierno pure llà nce se mettette!
A munno mio, nun m’è succiesso maie!
Fui tanta e tanta ‘a neva che cadette,
ch’io nun v’abbasto a dicere: zeffunno!
Llà nce cadette ‘a neva ‘e tutt”o munno!…
e ‘o juorno appriesso, all’unnece, partette!
Ma credite ca ‘o tiempo s’accunciaie?
‘O nfierno pure llà nce se mettette!
A munno mio, nun m’è succiesso maie!
Fui tanta e tanta ‘a neva che cadette,
ch’io nun v’abbasto a dicere: zeffunno!
Llà nce cadette ‘a neva ‘e tutt”o munno!…
32.ª
Nu cielo ‘e chiummo, na campagna janca,
e nnanz’all’uocchie nu lenzuolo ‘e neva!
Tu vai cecato… ‘A zoza ca te stanca,
‘e ddete ‘e fierro… E ‘a forza, chi t”a deva?
Po’ cierti vventecate, a dritta e a manca,
ca sulamente Dio nce manteneva…
-Che facimmo?… Fermammo, Maistà?
E isso:-Jammo nnanza a cammenà!
e nnanz’all’uocchie nu lenzuolo ‘e neva!
Tu vai cecato… ‘A zoza ca te stanca,
‘e ddete ‘e fierro… E ‘a forza, chi t”a deva?
Po’ cierti vventecate, a dritta e a manca,
ca sulamente Dio nce manteneva…
-Che facimmo?… Fermammo, Maistà?
E isso:-Jammo nnanza a cammenà!
33.ª
Ma ch’era ‘acciaro, o steva ‘nfrennesìa?
Facèvamo tre passe ogne doj’ore!
E duraie duraie, chesta pazzìa,
nfi’ a quanno nun turnaie ‘o battitore.
-Maistà, nun è pussibbele, p”a via…
Ccà passammo perìcule e mmalore…
E, cunzigliato da ‘o barone Anzano,
isso urdinaie:-Vutammo p’Ariano!
Facèvamo tre passe ogne doj’ore!
E duraie duraie, chesta pazzìa,
nfi’ a quanno nun turnaie ‘o battitore.
-Maistà, nun è pussibbele, p”a via…
Ccà passammo perìcule e mmalore…
E, cunzigliato da ‘o barone Anzano,
isso urdinaie:-Vutammo p’Ariano!
34.ª
E jettemo add”o Vescovo! Capite?
E ‘o vescovo era Munzignor Caputo!
Doppo nu miglio a ppede, me crerite?
‘o Rre arrivai nu straccio! Nterezzuto!
E no sul’isso! Stevamo sfenite!
Nun tenèvamo ‘a forza ‘e chiammà ajuto!
‘A Riggina, per farve perzuvaso,
jeva int’a neva cu ‘e scarpine ‘e raso!…
E ‘o vescovo era Munzignor Caputo!
Doppo nu miglio a ppede, me crerite?
‘o Rre arrivai nu straccio! Nterezzuto!
E no sul’isso! Stevamo sfenite!
Nun tenèvamo ‘a forza ‘e chiammà ajuto!
‘A Riggina, per farve perzuvaso,
jeva int’a neva cu ‘e scarpine ‘e raso!…
35.ª
Che nce vulette, pe piglià calimma!
‘A sera, ‘a bbona ‘e Ddio, votta e magnammo!
Llà fuie ‘o mbruoglio! ‘O ppriparàino apprimma
chello vveleno, o che?… Nun ne parlammo!
Dicetteno ca no!… Bella zuzzimma!
Quant’è certo stu juorno ca sciatammo,
stu Munzignore ca v’annummenaie,
dopp”o Sissanta, po’… se n’avantaie!
‘A sera, ‘a bbona ‘e Ddio, votta e magnammo!
Llà fuie ‘o mbruoglio! ‘O ppriparàino apprimma
chello vveleno, o che?… Nun ne parlammo!
Dicetteno ca no!… Bella zuzzimma!
Quant’è certo stu juorno ca sciatammo,
stu Munzignore ca v’annummenaie,
dopp”o Sissanta, po’… se n’avantaie!
36.ª
Embè, chesto se fa?… Pròssemo tuio,
ca l”e cercata ‘a mitria e te l’ha data,
ca vene ‘a casa toia, pe gusto suio,
‘o vaie a ntussecà cu ‘a ciucculata!…
Ma s’io songo tentato, io me ne fuio,
nun già ca sceglio justo ‘a mala strata
sulo pecchè vene ‘o Demmònio e dice:
“Avvelèname a chisto, e simm’amice!…„
ca l”e cercata ‘a mitria e te l’ha data,
ca vene ‘a casa toia, pe gusto suio,
‘o vaie a ntussecà cu ‘a ciucculata!…
Ma s’io songo tentato, io me ne fuio,
nun già ca sceglio justo ‘a mala strata
sulo pecchè vene ‘o Demmònio e dice:
“Avvelèname a chisto, e simm’amice!…„
37.ª
S’era perduto ogne timore ‘e Ddio!
Putive suspettà ‘e nu saciardote?
Va buono, se mpattai!… Ma ve rich’io
ca l’avarrìano acciso ciento vote!
Chisto, verite, è razziucinio mio!
Nce n’addunàimo! Ch’èramo, carote?
E po’… si parle ca nun si’ birbante,
che vene a di’ ca doppo te n’avante?!
Putive suspettà ‘e nu saciardote?
Va buono, se mpattai!… Ma ve rich’io
ca l’avarrìano acciso ciento vote!
Chisto, verite, è razziucinio mio!
Nce n’addunàimo! Ch’èramo, carote?
E po’… si parle ca nun si’ birbante,
che vene a di’ ca doppo te n’avante?!
VI
38.ª
‘O Rre, ca già nun se senteva buone,
pecchè già ncuorpo serpiava ‘o mmale,
se sape! quann’avette ‘o calatone
se sentette cchiù peggio! È naturale!
Basta; nun ‘o mmettimmo ‘n custione,
nun ce scurdammo ‘a cosa princepale!
Comme vulette Ddio, llà dintu llà,
magnàjemo… e nce ne jettemo a cuccà.
pecchè già ncuorpo serpiava ‘o mmale,
se sape! quann’avette ‘o calatone
se sentette cchiù peggio! È naturale!
Basta; nun ‘o mmettimmo ‘n custione,
nun ce scurdammo ‘a cosa princepale!
Comme vulette Ddio, llà dintu llà,
magnàjemo… e nce ne jettemo a cuccà.
39.ª
Ma ‘a notte, all’antrasatto, nu remmore
nce mena tutte dint”a stanza ‘o Rre…
Vedennolo, accussì, cu ll’uocchie ‘a fore,
l’addimannammo: -“Neh! Maistà… Che r’è?”
“-Llà… llà… chill’ommo… Nu cuspiratore…
Se vuleva accustà… vicino a me…
Da nu spurtiello… dint”o muro… llà…”
E nui cercàimo… Ma che vuò truvà!
nce mena tutte dint”a stanza ‘o Rre…
Vedennolo, accussì, cu ll’uocchie ‘a fore,
l’addimannammo: -“Neh! Maistà… Che r’è?”
“-Llà… llà… chill’ommo… Nu cuspiratore…
Se vuleva accustà… vicino a me…
Da nu spurtiello… dint”o muro… llà…”
E nui cercàimo… Ma che vuò truvà!
40.ª
S’era sunnato, e overo se credeva
d’avè vist’uno ca l’assassenava,
quanno ca pe sti suonne che faceva
chell’era ‘a malatìa che cammenava!
E chi durmette cchiù?! Nun te veneva!
Arbava juorno e se chiacchiariava….
All’otto, n’ata vota ‘a stessa renza!
Nce sentettemo ‘a messa, e po': partenza!
d’avè vist’uno ca l’assassenava,
quanno ca pe sti suonne che faceva
chell’era ‘a malatìa che cammenava!
E chi durmette cchiù?! Nun te veneva!
Arbava juorno e se chiacchiariava….
All’otto, n’ata vota ‘a stessa renza!
Nce sentettemo ‘a messa, e po': partenza!
41.ª
Che precepizzio ‘e via dopp’Ariano,
jenno pe Foggia e Andria e pe Canosa!
‘O Rre malato, chillo tiempo cano,
nu mbruoglio pusetivo ‘e tuttecosa!
Ogne vivò, isso cacciava ‘a mano…
(‘A veco sempe, chella mana nfosa…)
E po’ a Bitonto, pe Ruvo e Trellizze,
e gente c’aspettava a tutte pizze…
jenno pe Foggia e Andria e pe Canosa!
‘O Rre malato, chillo tiempo cano,
nu mbruoglio pusetivo ‘e tuttecosa!
Ogne vivò, isso cacciava ‘a mano…
(‘A veco sempe, chella mana nfosa…)
E po’ a Bitonto, pe Ruvo e Trellizze,
e gente c’aspettava a tutte pizze…
42.ª
Aspetta, aspetta! ‘O Rre passava ‘e trotte,
pe tuccà Manferònia ampressa ampressa!
E p’Acquaviva nce passàimo ‘e notte,
e doppo n’ora, cu ‘a truttata stessa,
dïune, stracque, ammatuntate ‘e bòtte,
cammina, pe ghì ncontra ‘a Princepessa!
A Taranto, spezzate dinto ‘e mmecce,
tu qua’ fermata! Nce fermammo a Lecce!
pe tuccà Manferònia ampressa ampressa!
E p’Acquaviva nce passàimo ‘e notte,
e doppo n’ora, cu ‘a truttata stessa,
dïune, stracque, ammatuntate ‘e bòtte,
cammina, pe ghì ncontra ‘a Princepessa!
A Taranto, spezzate dinto ‘e mmecce,
tu qua’ fermata! Nce fermammo a Lecce!
43.ª
E a Lecce se nchiummai! Nun pare overo,
pecchè, che saccio… s’era repigliato…
Parlai cu tutte, ricevette ‘o Clero,
e ‘a sera stessa vulett’ì ‘o triato!
Anze, vedite quanto steva allero,
ca, cu nu Truvatore appriparato,
isso alluccai: -“Che Truvatore! A chi?
Fate don Checco! M’aggia divertì!…„
pecchè, che saccio… s’era repigliato…
Parlai cu tutte, ricevette ‘o Clero,
e ‘a sera stessa vulett’ì ‘o triato!
Anze, vedite quanto steva allero,
ca, cu nu Truvatore appriparato,
isso alluccai: -“Che Truvatore! A chi?
Fate don Checco! M’aggia divertì!…„
44.ª
Ma ‘o juorno appriesso, (e chi s”o suppuneva?)
nun se partette!… ‘A cosa s’aggravava…
‘O duttore Lione ca curreva,
‘o nzagnatore ca m”o salassava…
Apprimma, miccia miccia, chella freva
se nc’era misa ncuollo e n”o lassava;
e ‘a Riggina, gialluta comm”a paglia,
fa correre, da Napule, a Ramaglia.
nun se partette!… ‘A cosa s’aggravava…
‘O duttore Lione ca curreva,
‘o nzagnatore ca m”o salassava…
Apprimma, miccia miccia, chella freva
se nc’era misa ncuollo e n”o lassava;
e ‘a Riggina, gialluta comm”a paglia,
fa correre, da Napule, a Ramaglia.
45ª.
Vene Ramaglia cu Capozze, vene
ll’anema ‘e ll’urzo, vene tutt”o munno!
Se po’ sapè che r’è?! Chi te sustene
ca se va a galla; chi ca se va nfunno;
chi se stregne int”e spalle; chi cummène
ca nun ‘o ssape, e ‘o ddice chiaro e tunno…
Eppure, chillo, ‘o Rre, l’aveva ditto!
“Tengo ‘o presentimento ca so’ fritto!…„
ll’anema ‘e ll’urzo, vene tutt”o munno!
Se po’ sapè che r’è?! Chi te sustene
ca se va a galla; chi ca se va nfunno;
chi se stregne int”e spalle; chi cummène
ca nun ‘o ssape, e ‘o ddice chiaro e tunno…
Eppure, chillo, ‘o Rre, l’aveva ditto!
“Tengo ‘o presentimento ca so’ fritto!…„
IV
18.ª
How he liked capunata!
Almost every day a little capunata!
He used to make a proper feast of it,
and afterwards, a little glass and the biscuit.
Then, with a good cup of chocolate,(11)
he always feasted for a snack…
Ah, that cup! It was that cup,
that, like now, ruined us!
Almost every day a little capunata!
He used to make a proper feast of it,
and afterwards, a little glass and the biscuit.
Then, with a good cup of chocolate,(11)
he always feasted for a snack…
Ah, that cup! It was that cup,
that, like now, ruined us!
19.ª
What did he put in it, that villain
who, in order to kill him, poisoned him?(12)
Better that one were murdered instead!
He, the one who was the cause of all our woes!
Our King knew, in heaven,
and surely, he would have judged him, and forgiven him!
But if it wasn’t for the poison in this cup,
we wouldn’t have seen so many dirty stray dogs!(13)
who, in order to kill him, poisoned him?(12)
Better that one were murdered instead!
He, the one who was the cause of all our woes!
Our King knew, in heaven,
and surely, he would have judged him, and forgiven him!
But if it wasn’t for the poison in this cup,
we wouldn’t have seen so many dirty stray dogs!(13)
20ª
Let’s let it go! Let’s not remember anything!
When I think about I feel sick!
They saw rivers, of silver pieces!
Now even a lucky penny(14) is rare!
They entered in?… But by treachery!
Don’t tell me I am deceived!
They entered in, yes sir!… Shirtless!
And the Piedmontese themselves said it!
When I think about I feel sick!
They saw rivers, of silver pieces!
Now even a lucky penny(14) is rare!
They entered in?… But by treachery!
Don’t tell me I am deceived!
They entered in, yes sir!… Shirtless!
And the Piedmontese themselves said it!
21.ª
But now they’re on top!… Now they’re doing fine!
But, to manage it, they ate fat!…
In the Royal Palace, full coffers!
They picked us alive clean to the bone!
I have to shut up, right? It’s not convenient for you
to hear me talk?… It makes you steaming mad?!
There they would have played odds and evens
even for the Treasure of San Gennaro!
But, to manage it, they ate fat!…
In the Royal Palace, full coffers!
They picked us alive clean to the bone!
I have to shut up, right? It’s not convenient for you
to hear me talk?… It makes you steaming mad?!
There they would have played odds and evens
even for the Treasure of San Gennaro!
22.ª
I’m old? I’m ignorant? I don’t understand?
You maintain to me that it’s the other way round?
Well… I want to know what was the Exchequer!
Wasn’t this the most extraordinary assault?
I’ve got stuff, you freeze it,
then you tell me it’s useful for the Revenue man!
New words!… I don’t get it any more!
This Revenue man was there so you could gobble it up!
You maintain to me that it’s the other way round?
Well… I want to know what was the Exchequer!
Wasn’t this the most extraordinary assault?
I’ve got stuff, you freeze it,
then you tell me it’s useful for the Revenue man!
New words!… I don’t get it any more!
This Revenue man was there so you could gobble it up!
23.ª
Who know anything about them, these taxes?!
Gold was going round… like beans!
Everyone, according to his taste, eat richly,
with pockets full of twelve carrine!(15)
Now one doesn’t even fatten up with potatoes,
that sell as expensive as tagliuline!…
I’m ignorant? Could I be all wrong!
But… when ever, did I curse the dead?!
Gold was going round… like beans!
Everyone, according to his taste, eat richly,
with pockets full of twelve carrine!(15)
Now one doesn’t even fatten up with potatoes,
that sell as expensive as tagliuline!…
I’m ignorant? Could I be all wrong!
But… when ever, did I curse the dead?!
24.ª
I’ve learned now!… It’s the blood itself
that turns and muddles heads!…
ah, good old times!… Melted away quickly!
We’ve become so many goats!
Ah, I’m ignorant?… We’ll settle it later on!
Then we’ll see who’ll open this door!
The buildings?… Are beautiful!… The streets?… Too!
But one has lost the breed of gentlemen!
that turns and muddles heads!…
ah, good old times!… Melted away quickly!
We’ve become so many goats!
Ah, I’m ignorant?… We’ll settle it later on!
Then we’ll see who’ll open this door!
The buildings?… Are beautiful!… The streets?… Too!
But one has lost the breed of gentlemen!
25.ª
Where are, Statella and Muliterno,
a go-between of the Queen or an Uttaiano!(16)
I’d been more certain to win three numbers in the lotto!
I’d no longer boast: “I’m a Luciano!”
I was the Lord Almighty’s will,
otherwise, I’d bet you cash in hand,
that, if it wasn’t Monsignor Caputo,(17)
that one, ‘Sixty,(18) wouldn’t have come!
a go-between of the Queen or an Uttaiano!(16)
I’d been more certain to win three numbers in the lotto!
I’d no longer boast: “I’m a Luciano!”
I was the Lord Almighty’s will,
otherwise, I’d bet you cash in hand,
that, if it wasn’t Monsignor Caputo,(17)
that one, ‘Sixty,(18) wouldn’t have come!
V
26.ª
I had been a sailor in the middle of the King’s
escort, sick with that sickness!
All ready to watch over him! Behind the door,
in front of the carriage, alone, in company…
Never a word! Never a long face!
Never a suspicion, by Santa Lucia!
I was sure to go, come, stay…
His Lucianos were there!…
escort, sick with that sickness!
All ready to watch over him! Behind the door,
in front of the carriage, alone, in company…
Never a word! Never a long face!
Never a suspicion, by Santa Lucia!
I was sure to go, come, stay…
His Lucianos were there!…
27.ª
They were there! A squadron ready for anything!
Every word, every look, every act!
Really sad journey! Ugly journey!
More than once we carried him in four!
He, who wanted to pull the contraption,
didn’t manage to know what one did
for that mysterious illness,
so infamous and ever so horrible!
Every word, every look, every act!
Really sad journey! Ugly journey!
More than once we carried him in four!
He, who wanted to pull the contraption,
didn’t manage to know what one did
for that mysterious illness,
so infamous and ever so horrible!
28.ª
See what a year it was, that Fifty-nine(19)
with that wedding of Francischiello!(20)
The Eighth of January, rain, rain and rain!
What should he have done? He departed, the poor man!
Lighting and thunder, in the middle of the byways,
we wound up good and drenched…
Already, the King, who believed in jinxes,
had intuited it, this misadventure!
with that wedding of Francischiello!(20)
The Eighth of January, rain, rain and rain!
What should he have done? He departed, the poor man!
Lighting and thunder, in the middle of the byways,
we wound up good and drenched…
Already, the King, who believed in jinxes,
had intuited it, this misadventure!
29.ª
Leaving he had said: “If we encounter
a monk, a lame man or a bald man,
it will be a bad omen! Let’s get under way!…„
And after a bit he felt ill.
A word was not uttered, we looked,
and already his thought came true!
Who did we meet? Three monks! He said it!
And thunder and lightning broke!
a monk, a lame man or a bald man,
it will be a bad omen! Let’s get under way!…„
And after a bit he felt ill.
A word was not uttered, we looked,
and already his thought came true!
Who did we meet? Three monks! He said it!
And thunder and lightning broke!
30.ª
In Mugnano, with the cold in his bones,
he got out and went to Santa Filumena.(21)
He, his children, the Queen, she ever so red,
under a wind sent by the Lord!
Indeed! His blood have him such a start,
that in the church he barely held up!
Afterward, he threw himself down on a pillow,
what a dog night, all the way to Avellino!
he got out and went to Santa Filumena.(21)
He, his children, the Queen, she ever so red,
under a wind sent by the Lord!
Indeed! His blood have him such a start,
that in the church he barely held up!
Afterward, he threw himself down on a pillow,
what a dog night, all the way to Avellino!
31.ª
Thank goodness he recovered
and the following day, at eleven, he departed!
But do believe the weather improved?
Then hell even there stuck itself in!
To my reckoning, it never happened!
It so very very much snow that fell,
that I can’t sufficiently tell you: galore!
There fell all the snow in the world!…
and the following day, at eleven, he departed!
But do believe the weather improved?
Then hell even there stuck itself in!
To my reckoning, it never happened!
It so very very much snow that fell,
that I can’t sufficiently tell you: galore!
There fell all the snow in the world!…
32.ª
A leaden sky, a white countryside,
and before one’s eyes a sheet of snow!
You go blindly… the wet clods that tire you out,
cold rigid fingers like iron… And strength, who’d give it to you?
Then certain gusts of wind, from right to left,
that only God kept us…
-What do we do?… Shall we stop, Your Majesty?
And he:- Let’s go forward walking!
and before one’s eyes a sheet of snow!
You go blindly… the wet clods that tire you out,
cold rigid fingers like iron… And strength, who’d give it to you?
Then certain gusts of wind, from right to left,
that only God kept us…
-What do we do?… Shall we stop, Your Majesty?
And he:- Let’s go forward walking!
33.ª
But was he of steel, or was he in delirium?
We were making three steps every two hours!
And it continued and continued, this folly,
up until the scout did not return.
-Your Majesty, it’s not possible, through the highway…
Here we’ll suffer dangers and hardships…
And, advised by baron Anzano,(23)
he ordered:-We’ll turn toward Ariano!
We were making three steps every two hours!
And it continued and continued, this folly,
up until the scout did not return.
-Your Majesty, it’s not possible, through the highway…
Here we’ll suffer dangers and hardships…
And, advised by baron Anzano,(23)
he ordered:-We’ll turn toward Ariano!
34.ª
And we went to the Bishop! Understand?
And the bishop was Monsignor Caputo!
After a mile on foot, do you believe me?
The King arrived worn out like a rag! Frozen stiff!
And not just him! We were exhausted!
We didn’t have the strength to call for help!
The Queen, to make you all understand,
was going in the snow with satin slippers!…
And the bishop was Monsignor Caputo!
After a mile on foot, do you believe me?
The King arrived worn out like a rag! Frozen stiff!
And not just him! We were exhausted!
We didn’t have the strength to call for help!
The Queen, to make you all understand,
was going in the snow with satin slippers!…
35.ª
What it took, to get warmth!
That evening, as God provides, we managed to eat!
That’s where the trickery was! They prepared beforehead
that poison, or what?… Let’s not speak of it!
They said no!… Nice filth!
As sure as this day we are breathing,
this Monsignor that you name,
after ‘Sixty, then… be bragged about it!
That evening, as God provides, we managed to eat!
That’s where the trickery was! They prepared beforehead
that poison, or what?… Let’s not speak of it!
They said no!… Nice filth!
As sure as this day we are breathing,
this Monsignor that you name,
after ‘Sixty, then… be bragged about it!
36.ª
Well, this is what one does?… Your neighbor,
from whom you sought the mitre and he gave it to you,
who comes to your house, of his own accord,
you go and poison him with chocolate!…
But if I’m tempted, I flee,
certainly I wouldn’t follow the path of evil
just because the Devil comes and says:
“Poison this one for me, and we’re friends!…„
from whom you sought the mitre and he gave it to you,
who comes to your house, of his own accord,
you go and poison him with chocolate!…
But if I’m tempted, I flee,
certainly I wouldn’t follow the path of evil
just because the Devil comes and says:
“Poison this one for me, and we’re friends!…„
37.ª
He had lost all fear of God!
Could you have suspected a priest?
Oh well, he made provisions!… But I tell you all
that they would have killed him a hundred times!
This, you see, is their reasoning!
We realized it! What were we, carrots?
And then… if you say you’re not a rogue,
what does it mean that afterwards you brag about it?!
Could you have suspected a priest?
Oh well, he made provisions!… But I tell you all
that they would have killed him a hundred times!
This, you see, is their reasoning!
We realized it! What were we, carrots?
And then… if you say you’re not a rogue,
what does it mean that afterwards you brag about it?!
VI
38.ª
The King, who already was not feeling well,
because the illness was already snaking through his body,
indeed! when he had the final dive
he felt worse! It’s natural!
Enough; let’s not put into question,
let’s not forget the main thing!
As God willed, right then and there,
we ate… and we went to bed.
because the illness was already snaking through his body,
indeed! when he had the final dive
he felt worse! It’s natural!
Enough; let’s not put into question,
let’s not forget the main thing!
As God willed, right then and there,
we ate… and we went to bed.
39.ª
But at night, suddenly, a sound
threw us all into the King’s room…
Seeing him, like this, with his eyes protruding,
we asked him: -“Hey! Your Majesty… What is it?”
“-There… There… that man… A conspirator…
He wanted to approach… near me…
From a little entryway… in the wall… there…”
And we searched… But what do you want to find!
threw us all into the King’s room…
Seeing him, like this, with his eyes protruding,
we asked him: -“Hey! Your Majesty… What is it?”
“-There… There… that man… A conspirator…
He wanted to approach… near me…
From a little entryway… in the wall… there…”
And we searched… But what do you want to find!
40.ª
He had dreamt it, and he truly believed
having seen someone assassinating him,
during these dreams he had had
that was the illness progressing!
And who slept any more?! It didn’t come on to you!
Day was dawning and one was chatting….
At eight, the usual habits again!
We heard mass, and then: departure!
having seen someone assassinating him,
during these dreams he had had
that was the illness progressing!
And who slept any more?! It didn’t come on to you!
Day was dawning and one was chatting….
At eight, the usual habits again!
We heard mass, and then: departure!
41.ª
What a ruinous road after Ariano,
going to Foggia and Andria and on to Canosa!
The King ill, that dog weather,
a positive muddle of everything!
Every long live, he took out his hand…
(I always see it, that wet hand…)
And then to Bitonto, by Ruvo and Trellizze,(24)
and people who were waiting all over the place…
going to Foggia and Andria and on to Canosa!
The King ill, that dog weather,
a positive muddle of everything!
Every long live, he took out his hand…
(I always see it, that wet hand…)
And then to Bitonto, by Ruvo and Trellizze,(24)
and people who were waiting all over the place…
42.ª
Wait, wait! The was passing by trotting,
to reach Manferònia(25) in a great hurry!
And we passed by Acquaviva by night,
and after an hour, with the trotting,
starving, tired, banged up,
onward, to meet the Princess!
At Taranto, crushed in our joints,
what stop do you think! We stopped at Lecce!
to reach Manferònia(25) in a great hurry!
And we passed by Acquaviva by night,
and after an hour, with the trotting,
starving, tired, banged up,
onward, to meet the Princess!
At Taranto, crushed in our joints,
what stop do you think! We stopped at Lecce!
43.ª
And in Lecce he planted himself down! It doesn’t seem real,
because, what do I know… he had recovered…
He talked to everyone, he received the Clergy,
and that same night he wanted to go to the theatre!
What’s more, you see how merry he was,
that, with a Trovatore prepared,
he shouted: -“What Trovatore! For who?
Do don Checco!(26) I want to have fun!…„
because, what do I know… he had recovered…
He talked to everyone, he received the Clergy,
and that same night he wanted to go to the theatre!
What’s more, you see how merry he was,
that, with a Trovatore prepared,
he shouted: -“What Trovatore! For who?
Do don Checco!(26) I want to have fun!…„
44.ª
But the day after, (and who what have supposed it?)
we didn’t depart!… The thing was worsening…
Doctor Lione(27) who was running about,
the bloodletter who was bloodletting him…(28)
At first, ever so slowly, that fever
set itself over him and wouldn’t leave;
and the Queen, yellow like straw,
made Ramaglia(29) run, from Naples.
we didn’t depart!… The thing was worsening…
Doctor Lione(27) who was running about,
the bloodletter who was bloodletting him…(28)
At first, ever so slowly, that fever
set itself over him and wouldn’t leave;
and the Queen, yellow like straw,
made Ramaglia(29) run, from Naples.
45ª.
Ramaglia comes with Capozze,(30)
every darn body comes, the whole world comes!
Could one know what it is?! There are those who maintain
that things are looking up; those that things are going down;
those who shrug their shoulders; those that feel
that one doesn’t know, and says so clearly…
And yet, he, the King, had called it!
“I have a hunch I’m cooked!…„
every darn body comes, the whole world comes!
Could one know what it is?! There are those who maintain
that things are looking up; those that things are going down;
those who shrug their shoulders; those that feel
that one doesn’t know, and says so clearly…
And yet, he, the King, had called it!
“I have a hunch I’m cooked!…„
Notes:
(11) Russo in his own annotations recalls that it was variously alleged that bishop Caputo poisoned the king with a cup of hot chocolate, a cigar, or a towel, and Caputo supposedly boasted about it after 1860. See, Bernardini, Ferdinando II a Lecce; De Cesare, La fine di un Regno. – Avv. E. di Martino, Ricordanze storico-morali. Trans. Note.
(12) In the 19th century, and for many years after, theories abounded that bishop Caputo of Ariano had poisoned Ferdinand II’s cup of chocolate. Further controversies claimed that the trusted court doctor Cav. Don Pietro Ramaglia from Molise either poisoned or purposely neglected the King’s treatment. Russo includes these themes and well known versions in his poem. Subsequent scholarship has however challenged all of these theories, positing that the most obvious cause of the King’s death was the horrible wound inflicted by the deranged radical soldier Agesilao Milano who stabbed the King with his bayonet during a military inspection after attending mass for the feast of the Immaculate Conception. It was considered possible that Milano’s weapon also contained poisons. King Ferdinand II bravely carried on, including his lengthy travels to Puglia and indeed refused several treatments and rest. After the King’s death and the Risorgimento, local doctors and their descendants in Puglia and along the travel route claimed to have treated or offered treatment, and even criticized the court doctors’ treatments, further adding to popular conspiracy theories and legends. According to these fable-like accounts each of these doctors would have or could have saved the King if only the court had listened etc. Don Pietro Ramaglia was saddened and angered by the King’s assassination (and accusations leveled against himself) and refused to hold any public office or teaching position at the University of Naples, even when begged by the new liberal administration of the University, and he only gave private lessons and lectures to young students. He swore his undying loyalty to the King and the House of Bourbon and vehemently shunned the Savoy government, as would be expected from a man who was made a Knight Grand Cross of the SMOCSG by Ferdinand II himself and who served him and the Royal Family directly. In fact, Ramaglia became a doctor after winning recognition and a scholarship from the Bourbons when he was a young man. See infra, foot note n. 32, on Agesilao Milano. Trans. Note.
(13) cane ‘e chiazza: stray dogs, metaphorically in the sense of the foreigners who descended on the Kingdom to gnaw on its resources.
(14) Sordo scartellato: or soldo, a 5 cent piece, a small denomination.
(15) carrine: or carlini, Neapolitan coins, worth 10 grana. The dodici-carlini or rurece-carrine was a higher value silver coin. The old Neapolitan piastra was 120 grana coin. The Kingdoms of Naples and Sicily used similar units of currencies for centuries, which were united and whose ancient names were kept after the Congress of Vienna, the ducat being the main unit of currency. There were gold 30, 15, 6 and 3 ducat coins, silver piastras, half piastras, and tarì (20 grana), and copper 10, 5, and 2 tornesi coins. Mints were in Naples and Palermo. Trans. Note.
(16) Statella, field marshall Count Errico Statella; Moliterno, Girolamo Pignatelli; Ottaiano, Prince Luigi de’ Medici of (1759-1830 ) prime minister and statesman active from the turbulent years of the 1799 revolution, the Napoleonic invasion and the Bourbon restoration and the creation of the Kingdom of the Two Sicilies. Russo pointed out in his annotations that these Neapolitan gentlemen were known for both their pomp and generosity and their loyalty to the Crown, as some still were in Russo’s day.
(17) Monsignor Caputo, Bishop Michele Caputo (1808-1862) of Ariano, Born in Nardò, he graduated from the theological college in Trani. Caputo was a prior for several years in Taranto and was elected provincial head of Puglia in 1845. In 1852 he was nominated bishop of Oppido Mamertina, where he was credited with founding a grain monte di pietà, but was involved in disputes with local prominent families regarding church properties and rights over properties and income. In 1858 Caputo was transferred to Ariano. Members of the King’s travelling party suspected a poisoning attempt during the King’s impromptu stay at the Bishop’s palace. According to several accounts, the Bishop did indeed later boast of poisoning the King, apparently in an effort to ingratiate himself with the new regime. In any case, Caputo appears to have begun a careful revisionist campaign of his career once the Kingdom fell, siding with the Risorgimento, and he found himself directly at odds with the Anzani family and many other citizens of Ariano who were loyal to the Bourbons. Trans. Note.
(18) Sixty: the tragic year 1860. Trans. Note.
(19) Fifty-nine: the year 1859. Trans. Note.
(20) Francischiello: “Little Francis”, Francesco II (1836-1894), future King of the Two Sicilies, the son of Ferdinand II. Francesco II was affectionately called by the diminutive nickname, which later Risorgimento propagandists employed to make him look ridiculous as a more junior figure. Trans. Note.
(21) Santa Filumena: The well-known shrine of Saint Philomena in Mugnano, where the Royal Family stopped to rest from the bad weather.
(22) Baron Anzano: Francesco Anzani and his brother Girolamo Anzani, of the old noble Anzani family of Ariano who both had long military careers in the Two Sicilies and Francesco was a knight of the Real Ordine di San Giorgio della Riunione. The Anzani had prepared a lavish feast for the King but he did not attend it. Girolamo Anzani led a revolt in Ariano against the Savoy government in September 1860. Trans. Note.
(23) The curious detail of the satin shoes with which the Queen had to go about a mile is also in Bernardini, Ferdinando II a Lecce.
(24) Trellizze: Terlizzi. Trans. Note.
(25) Manferonia: Manfredonia
(26) Don Checco: a Neapolitan language opera buffa by the internationally respected Barese composer Nicola De Giosa (1819-1885), who was a student of Donizetti and active in Naples. It premiered in the Teatro Nuovo in the Quartieri Spagnoli and ran frequently in many theatres for about 40 years. The librettist was the Neapolitan lawyer and writer Almerindo Spadetta (1822-1894). Trans. Note.
(27) Lione: Dr. Giuseppe Leone (1814-?), a young trained surgeon, who attended to the King during his time at Lecce. Accounts of Leone being a liberal sympathizer and having had Carbonari in his family are documented. However, he was not considered disloyal and was not accused of untoward actions. It was said he tested medicines from a local pharmacy given to the King by taking them himself. The Queen was offered the services of a more senior doctor named D’Arpe (who was of pronounced liberal political background) or Leone, and she ordered that Leone be the one to treat him. Leone wrote a log of the King’s illness, which was published. Trans. Note.
(28) A certain man named Marotta.
(29) Ramaglia: the well-known clinician Cav. Don Pietro Ramaglia (1802-1875), who was a very well respected court doctor who tended to Ferdinand II and the Royal Family. Ramaglia was a native of Ripabottoni, Molise and had studied in Larino and Toro Molise where he was recognized for his talents early on, and he decided to pursue medical studies in Naples, graduating in 1823 on a government scholarship for his merit. He began his career at the Incurabili hospital in Naples. In 1857 he co-founded the prestigious medical journal “Il Morgagni”. Ramaglia was widely known for his leading research in childhood meningitis and he authored several books on the same based on his 40 years of research. He created a diagnostic method, which his student Capozzi (see note 23 below) wrote about and practiced. He treated patients in need at least one day a week for free throughout his career. He was decorated with the Royal Order of Francis I and was a Knight Grand Cross of the Constantinian Order. Trans. Note.
(30) Capozze: Domenico Capozzi (1829-1907), was Dr. Ramaglia’s young assistant, and who became a well-respected scientist in his own right. Capozzi accompanied Ramaglia to Lecce in Puglia to assist in treating Ferdinand II. Capozzi followed in his mentor Ramaglia’s footsteps giving private lessons and obscuring political life and taught at the Incurabili in Naples. He also wrote articles and books, including his eulogy remarks upon the death of Dr. Ramaglia. Affectionately known as “Capozziello”, when he died he left a generous legacy to the Incurabili hospital and medical school and endowed a hospital in his native Morcone. Trans. Note.
