E così vago il pianto

This SSATB madrigal from Italy displays a sophisticated interplay between the voices, typical of the genre. The music draws the listener into the text, which speaks of tears that flow from beautiful eyes. These tears are described as so captivating that they soften the soul and wound the heart. The composer further explores this paradox, suggesting that if such weeping is a glorious boast, imagine the effect of laughter. The piece is a fine example of secular Renaissance part-music, focusing on the expressive power of text through vocal harmony.