Giuseppe Gioacchino Belli

Here you will find the Poem LI FRATI D'UN PAESE (The Friers of The Village) of poet Giuseppe Gioacchino Belli

LI FRATI D'UN PAESE (The Friers of The Village)

Senti sto fatto. Un giorno de st'istate 
Lavoravo ar convento de Genzano, 
E ssentivo de sopra ch'er guardiano 
Tirava giù biastime a carrettate; 

Perché, essenno le gente aridunate 
Per cantà la novena a ssan Cazziano, 
Cerca qua, chiama là, quer zagristano 
Drento a le celle nun trovava un frate. 

Era vicino a notte, e un pispillorio 
Già se sentiva in de la chiesa piena, 
Quanno senti che ffa ppadre Grigorio. 

Curze a intoccà la tevola de cena, 
E appena che fu empito er refettorio 
Disse: "Alò, frati porchi, a la novena!". 


English 

Listen to this story. During last summer one day 
I was working at the monastery in Genzano [1] , 
When I heard upstairs the sacristan 
Swearing like a trooper. 

Because while the people had gathered 
To sing the novena [2] for St.Cassian, 
The sacristan, looking for the friars high and low, 
Could not find any of them in their rooms. 

Night was approaching, and a whispering 
Already came from the crowded church, 
So listen what Father Gregory did. 

He ran to sound the dinner bell 
And as soon as the refectory was full 
Said: "Hurry up, lousy friars, to the novena!"