Giuseppe Gioachino BELLI

LI SORDATI BBONI Subbito c'un zovrano de la terra Crede c'un antro j'abbi tocco un fico, Disce ar popolo suo: “Tu sei nimmico Der tale o der tar re; ffàjje la guerra.” E er popolo, per sfugge la galerra O cquarc'antra grazzietta che nnun dico, Pijja lo schioppo, e vviaggia com'un prico Che spedischino in Francia o in Inghirterra. Ccusì, pe li crapicci d'una corte Ste pecore aritorneno alla stalla Co mmezza testa e cco le gamme storte. E cco le vite sce se ggiuca a ppalla, Come quela puttana de la morte Nun vienissi da lei senza scercalla. 23 maggio 1834

THE GOOD SOLDIERS As soon as a sovereign of the world, Thinks another king touched him a trifle, He tells his people: “This or that king Is your enemy: let make war on him.” And the people, just to escape the jail Or some other cuddle I don't tell, Takes his musket, and travel as a parcel That is shipped to England or to France. Then, for the caprice of a palace These sheep return towards their fold With splitted head and twisted legs. So they play ball with your lives, As if that bitch death didn't come By herself without seeking her. May 23th 1834

From: Giuseppe Gioachino BELLI – Er Giorno der Giudizzio. Edited by Giorgio Vigolo. Mondadori, Milan, Italy, 1952
translation: Andrea Gaddini

Giuseppe Gioachino Belli (1791-1863) is the most important poet in Roman dialect (called "Romanesco"), even if he also wrote poems in Italian language.
Belli wrote more than 2,000 sonnets in Romanesco, like the one you can read above, which are his masterpiece.

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   page created: April 10th 2014 and last updated: April 25th 2014