Monday, December 29, 2025
The Worst of All Afflictions
Giacomo Leopardi (1798-1837), "Il Tramonto della Luna," lines 44-50 (tr. Jonathan Galassi):
‹Older
The eternal gods invented—The same (tr. Geoffrey L. Bickersteth):
great work of immortal minds—
the worst of all afflictions:
old age, in which desire is unfulfilled
and hope extinguished,
the fonts of pleasure withered,
pain ever greater, and with no more joy.
D'intelletti immortali
Degno trovato, estremo 45
Di tutti i mali, ritrovàr gli eterni
La vecchiezza, ove fosse
Incolume il desio, la speme estinta,
Secche le fonti del piacer, le pene
Maggiori sempre, e non più dato il bene. 50
The eternals Gods designed—
Of immortal intellect
A worthy find—the extremest of all woes,
Old age, that still unchecked
Desire might linger on, when hope had died,
The springs of joy be dried, sorrow not less
But more, and still no hint of happiness.
