To the Lady Donna Maria de Cardona, Marchioness of Padula

Lady, whose name to high Cardona brings Fresh praise, whose talents and fair deeds require Immortal accents from Minturno's lyre, Tansillo's harp, and polished Tasso's strings; If force, if fire, if spirit whilst he sings, Fail not at need thy Lasso's Spanish lute, Through thee I shall arrive, with daring foot, At Helicon's steep crown and sky-born springs, By dulcet sounds that might the waves command, Accomplishing with ease the ambitious aim: By ways a wilderness till now, the land Of storied valour, of romantic fame, And Tagus, rolling o'er a golden sand, Pay happy tribute to thy noble name.