Translations of poems by Michelangelo are taken from The Complete Poems of Michelangelo translated by John Frederick Nims,1 who worked from the editions of the Rime edited by Ettore Barelli and Paola Mastrocola, who both in turn referred to Enzo Noè Girardiâs 1960 edition.
As a rule, Nimsâs translations have been given directly in the text. When, however, direct comparisons of Michelangeloâs verses with those of other poets are made, the Italian original has sometimes been left in the text and the translation moved to the footnote.
Regarding translations of poems by other Italian authors, when published versions could be found, these have been used, with the appropriate citations. In all other cases, the Italian original of the poem has been retained in the text with a prose translation by the present translator appearing in the footnote.
Likewise, published translations of prose extracts have been used when these were available, with the relative citations in the footnotes. In all other cases, translations are by the translator.
The Complete Poems of Michelangelo, trans. J.F. Nims (Chicago-London: University of Chicago Press, 1998).