In nessun modo mi poss’acconciare ad aver voglia di far masserizia: e non averìa ’l cor quella letizia, che quando penso di volerla fare, ch’i’ non mi turbi com’om novo ’n mare; e l’anim’entro ’l core mi s’affizia, e di corrucci e d’ira ho tal dovizia che ben ne posso vender e donare. Assa’ potrebb’om dar del cap’al muro, ma se non ven de la propia natura, nïente vale: ’n mia fede ’l vi giuro. E non vi paia udire cosa oscura, ché come ’l sarament’è stato puro, così abb’io ’n mia donna ventura.
I cannot bring myself in any way To think about the need for some economy; Joy leaves my heart and pleasure will not honour me, The very thought’s enough to spoil my day; I’m sick like some new sailor on the sea, My soul is plunged into such deep affliction; Anger and irritation cause such friction, Such bargaining was never meant for me. Though you can butt your head against a wall, You can’t do what your nature won’t allow; It just won’t work, I swear it on my life. These words are not ambiguous at all: They’re quite as plain as any marriage vow, And if they’re not, then I can’t trust my wife.