A new version of Lorenzo il Magnifico’s stanza has been on my mind since yesterday evening (“Di doman’ non c’e certezza,” September 1, 1988). It came up during the night, as well. It is high time to pin it down this morning, and thus stop thinking about it. Here goes:

Quant’ è bella la vecchiezza,
Che s’avvicina tuttavia.
Chi vuol esser lieto, sia;
Di doman’ non c’è certezza.

In short, what applies to youth also applies to old age. The last line holds true no matter the age, that is. Which is why the felicitous stanza has been with me for such a long time. I recite it whenever an opportunity arises, and my beloved joins me eagerly. She has long learned it by heart. And now we have a new version to exercise together.