[The English translation is by William Cowper (1731-1800).]

Introduction. A canzone is a traditional Italian form with three movements. The form influenced Spenser's Epithalimion as well as Milton's Lycidas. This poem is a brief, loosely-structured canzone. As with "Sonnet 3", Milton uses an Italian form to express the difficulty of writing in Italian, yet Milton has undertaken an especially daunting task by choosing to write in the complicated canzone form. Unlike his previous experience with English and Latin verse, the poet writes this difficult poem in Italian because, as the lady explains to him, "This is the language in which Love delights."

other shores...rivers (altri rivi...altri lidi). The "altri rivi" represent Latin and English composition.

soverchia soma. While the altri rivi represent Latin and English composition, soverchia soma refers to the difficulty of writing verse in Italian. Milton also figures languages as rivers in "Sonnet 3," line 10.

Speak Muse! (Canzon dirotti). Milton's address to the muse signals the beginning of the envoy (commiato), the final movement in a canzone in which the poet addresses the poem. See Spenser's Epithalamion 427-33.