Io son la Primavera,
Che lieta, o vaghe donne, a voi ritorno
Col mio bel manto adorno
Per vestir le campagne d'erbe e fiori
E svegliarvi nel cor novelli amori.

A me Zeffiro spira,
A me ride la terra e '1 ciel sereno;
Volan di seno in seno
Gli Amoretti vezzosi a mille mille,
Chi armato di stral, di chi faville.

E voi ancor gioite,
Godete al mio venir tra risi e canti;
Amate i vostri amanti
Or che '1 bel viso amato april v'infiora:
Primavera per voi non torna ognora.

                      Torquato Tasso (1544-1595)

I am Spring,
Who gladly, lovely women, returns to you
With my beautiful, embellished mantle
To dress the countryside in greenery and flowers
And to arouse in your hearts new loves.

For me Zephir sighs,
For me the earth laughs, as do the serene heavens;
From breast to breast fly
The charming Amoretti by the thousands,
Armed with arrows and with torches.

And you, again delighted,
Take pleasure in my coming amidst laughing and song;
Love your lovers
Now, while April adorns lovely faces with flowers:
Spring for you will not return forever.

                     (English translation by William Hawley)