Labbra vermiglie e belle
che sete sì adorata e dolce via
d'angelica armonia;
bianche perle e rubini,
dove frange ed affrena
Amor la voce di dolcezza piena
e gli spiriti vaghi e peregrini;
boca, suo bel tesoro e di natura,
se nulla toglie a te chi più ne fura,
né ti manca una gemma od una rosa
per mille baci altrui, perché ti spiace?
Deh! fa del furto pace,
e sarai quanto bella ancor pietosa.

                                  Torquato Tasso (1544–1595)

Lips vermilion and gracious
which rest so adored and sweet amidst
angelic harmonies:
such white pearls and rubies,
through which Love causes to break, then halt
that voice full of sweetness
and that rare, lovely breath;
O mouth, abundant treasure of Nature,
since you will remain undiminished by the taking,
and will miss not a single one of your gems or roses
after even a thousand more kisses, why should you be sorry?
Come! make peace with the theft,
and you will be as beautiful as you now feel you are to be pitied.

                                                                       (trans. William Hawley)