Di marmo siete voi

In this secular madrigal, the poet laments his beloved's unyielding nature, comparing her to marble, hard and unresponsive to his pleas and tears. He, too, is rendered hard and unfeeling by her scorn. Both are described as stone, one steadfast in faith, the other in pride. Marco da Gagliano sets this text for SATTB voices. The intricate polyphony and expressive harmonies typical of the Italian madrigal tradition are evident here, bringing Marino's poetic imagery to life.