https://TheVirtualLibrary.org
TheNewLife(Lavitanuova)DanteAlighieri
TranslatedbyDanteGabrielRossetti
EllisandElvey,London,1899
PREFATORYNOTE
DanteGabrielRossetti,beingthesonofanItalianwhowasgreatlyimmersedinthestudyofDanteAlighieri,andwhoproducedaCommentontheInferno,andotherbooksrelatingtoDantesqueliterature,wasfromhisearliestchildhoodfamiliarwiththenameofthestupendousFlorentine,andtosomeextentawareoftherangeandqualityofhiswritings.Nevertheless—orperhapsindeeditmayhavebeenpartlyonthatveryaccount—hedidnotinthoseopeningyearsreadDantetoanydegreeworthmentioning:hewaswellversedinShakespeare,WalterScott,Byron,andsomeotherwriters,yearsbeforeheappliedhimselftoDante.Hemayhavebeenfourteenyearsofage,orevenfifteen(May1843),beforehetookseriouslytotheauthoroftheDivinaCommedia.Hethenreadhimeagerly,andwiththeprofoundestadmirationanddelight;andfromtheCommediaheproceededtothelyricalpoemsandtheVitaNuova.Iquestionwhetherheeverread—unlessinthemostcursoryway—otherandlessfascinatingwritingsofAlighieri,suchastheConvitoandtheDeMonarchiâ.
Fromreading,Rossettiwentontotranslating.Hetranslatedatanearlyage,chieflybetween1845and1849,agreatnumberofpoemsbytheItalianscontemporarywithDante,orprecedinghim;and,amongotherthings,hemadeaversionofthewholeVitaNuova,proseandverse.ThismaypossiblyhavebeenthefirstimportantthingthathetranslatedfromtheItalian:ifnotthefirst,stilllesswasitthelast,anditmaywellbethathisrenderingofthebookwascompletedwithintheyear1846,orearlyin1847.Hedidnot,ofcourse,leavehisversionexactlyasithadcomeatfirst:onthecontrary,hetookcounselwithfriends(AlfredTennysonamongthenumber),toneddowncruditiesandjuvenilities,andworkedtomakethewholethingimpressiveandartistic—forinsuchmattershewasmuchmorechargeablewithover-fastidiousnessthanwithlaxity.Still,thework,aswenowhaveit,isessentiallytheworkofthoseadolescentyears—fromtimetotimereconsideredandimproved,butnottransmuted.
SomefewyearsafterproducinghistranslationoftheVitaNuova,Rossettiwasdesirousofpublishingit,andofillustratingthevolumewithetchingsfromvariousdesigns,whichhehadmeanwhiledone,ofincidentsinthestory.Thisproject,however,hadtobelaidaside,owingtowantofmeans,andtheetchingswereneverundertaken.Itwasonlyin1861thatthevolumenamedTheEarlyItalianPoets,includingthetranslatedVitaNuova,wasbroughtout:thesamevolume,withachangeinthearrangementofitscontents,wasreissuedin1874,entitledDanteandhisCircle.Thisbook,initsoriginalform,wasreceivedwithfavour,andsettledtheclaimofRossettitorankasapoetictranslator,orindeedasapoetinhisownright.
ForTheEarlyItalianPoetshewroteaPreface,fromwhichapassage,immediatelyrelatingtotheVitaNuova,isextractedinthepresentedition.Therearesomeotherpassages,affectingthewholeofthetranslationsinthatvolume,whichdeservetobeborne
inmind,asshowingthespiritinwhichheundertookthetranslatingwork,andIgivethemhere:—
“Thelife-bloodofrhythmicaltranslationisthiscommandment—thatagoodpoemshallnotbeturnedintoabadone.Theonlytruemotiveforputtingpoetryintoafreshlanguagemustbetoendowafreshnation,asfaraspossible,withonemorepossessionofbeauty.Poetrynotbeinganexactscience,literalityofrenderingisaltogethersecondarytothischieflaw.Isayliterality,—notfidelity,whichisbynomeansthesamething.Whenliteralitycanbecombinedwithwhatisthustheprimaryconditionofsuccess,thetranslatorisfortunate,andmuststrivehisutmosttounitethem;whensuchobjectcanonlybeobtainedbyparaphrase,thatishisonlypath.Anymeritpossessedbythesetranslationsisderivedfromanefforttofollowthisprinciple….Thetaskofthetranslator(andwithallhumilitybeitspoken)isoneofsomeself-denial.Oftenwouldheavailhimselfofanyspecialgraceofhisownidiomandepoch,ifonlyhiswillbelongedtohim:oftenwouldsomecadenceservehimbutforhisauthor’sstructure—somestructurebutforhisauthor’scadence:oftenthebeautifulturnofastanzamustbeweakenedtoadoptsomerhymewhichwilltally,andheseesthepoetrevellinginabundanceoflanguagewherehimselfisscantilysupplied.Nowhewouldslightthematterforthemusic,andnowthemusicforthematter;butno,hemustdealtoeachalike.Sometimestooaflawintheworkgallshim,andhewouldfainremoveit,doingforthepoetthatwhichhisagedeniedhim;butno,itisnotinthebond.”
ItmaybeaswelltoexplainhereaverysmallsharewhichImyselftookintheVitaNuovatranslation.WhenthevolumeTheEarlyItalianPoetswasinpreparation,mybrotheraskedme(January1861)toaidby“collatingmyVitaNuovawiththeoriginal,andamendinginaccuracies.”Hedefinedtheworkfurtherasfollows:“WhatIwantisthatyoushouldcorrectmytranslationthroughout,removinginaccuraciesandmannerisms.And,ifyouhavetime,itwouldbeagreatservicetotranslatetheanalysesofthepoems(whichIomitted).This,however,ifyouthinkitdesirabletoincludethem.Ididnotatthetime(ongroundofreadableness),butsincethinktheymaybedesirable:onlyhavebecomesounfamiliarwiththebookthatIhavenodistinctopinion.”OnJanuary25thhewrote:“Manyandmanythanksforamostessentialservicemostthoroughlyperformed.Ihavenotyetverifiedthewholeofthenotes,butIseetheyarejustwhatIneeded,andwillsavemeavastamountoftrouble.Ishouldverymuchwishthatthetranslationweremoreliteral,butcannotdoitallagain.Mynotes,whichyouhavetakenthetroubleofrevising,are,ofcourse,quitepaltryanduseless.”
Inorderthatthereadermayjudgeastothisquestionofliterality,IwillgiveheretheliteralEnglishingoftheSonnetatp.38,andtheparagraphwhichprecedesit(Itakethepassagequiteatrandom),andthereadercan,ifhelikes,comparethisrenderingwiththatwhichappearsinDanteRossetti’stext:—
“AfterthedepartureofthisgentlewomanitwasthepleasureoftheLordoftheAngelstocalltoHisgloryaladyyoungandmuchofnoble[1]aspect,whowasverygracefulinthisaforesaidcity:whosebodyIsawlyingwithoutthesoulamidmanyladies,whowereweepingverypiteously.Then,rememberingthaterewhileIhadseenherkeepingcompany
withthatmostnobleone,Icouldnotwithholdsometears.Indeed,weeping,Ipurposedtospeakcertainwordsaboutherdeath,inguerdonofmyhavingatsomewhilesseenherwithmylady.AndsomewhatofthisIreferredtointhelastpartofthewordswhichIspokeofher,asmanifestlyappearstohimwhounderstandsthem:andthenIcomposedthesetwoSonnets—ofwhichthefirstbegins,‘Weep,lovers’—thesecond,‘VillainDeath.’
“Weep,lovers,sinceLoveweeps,—hearkeningwhatcausemakeshimwail:Lovehearsladiesinvokingpity,showingbittergriefoutwardlybytheeyes;becausevillainDeathhassethiscruelworkinguponanobleheart,ruiningthatwhichinanobleladyistobepraisedintheworld,apartfromhonour.HearhowmuchLovedidherhonouring;forIsawhimlamentinginverypersonoverthedeadseemlyimage:andoftenhegazedtowardsheaven,whereinwasalreadysettledthenoblesoulwhohadbeenaladyofsuchgladsomesemblance.”
ItwouldbeoutofplacetoenterhereintoanydetailedobservationsupontheVitaNuova,itsmeaning,andtheliteraturewhichhasgrownoutofit.Iwillmerelyname,asobviousthingsfortheEnglishreadertoconsult,thetranslationwhichwasmadebySirTheodoreMartin;theessaybyProfessorC.EliotNorton;thetranslationspublishedbyDr.GarnettinhisbookentitledDante,Petrarch,Camoens,124Sonnets,alongwiththeremarksinhisvaluableHistoryofItalianLiterature;Scartazzini’sCompaniontoDante;andthepublicationsoftheRev.Dr.Moore,theforemostofourlivingDantescholars.
W.M.ROSSETTI.
August1899.
INTRODUCTION.
TheVitaNuova(theAutobiographyorAutopsychologyofDante’syouthtillabouthistwenty-seventhyear)isalreadywellknowntomanyintheoriginal,orbymeansofessaysandofEnglishversionspartialorentire.Itistherefore,andonallaccounts,unnecessarytosaymuchmoreoftheworkherethanitsaysforitself.Weddedtoitsexquisiteandintimatebeautiesarepersonalpeculiaritieswhichexcitewonderandconjecture,bestrepliedtointhewordswhichBeatriceherselfismadetoutterintheCommedia:“Questifùtalnellasuavitanuova.”[2]ThusthenyoungDantewas.Allthatseemedpossibletobedoneherefortheworkwastotranslateitinasfreeandclearaformaswasconsistentwithfidelitytoitsmeaning;andtoeaseit,asfaraspossible,fromnotesandencumbrances.
ItmaybenotedherehownecessaryaknowledgeoftheVitaNuovaistothefullcomprehensionofthepartbornebyBeatriceintheCommedia.Moreover,itisonlyfromtheperusalofitsearliestandthenundivulgedself-communingsthatwecandivinethewholebitternessofwrongtosuchasoulasDante’s,itspoignantsenseofabandonment,oritsdeepandjealousrefugeinmemory.Aboveall,itisherethatwefindthefirstmanifestationsofthatwisdomofobedience,thatnaturalbreathofduty,whichafterwards,intheCommedia,liftedupamightyvoiceforwarningandtestimony.ThroughouttheVitaNuovathereisastrainlikethefirstfallingmurmurwhichreachestheearinsomeremotemeadow,andpreparesustolookuponthesea.
Boccaccio,inhisLifeofDante,tellsusthatthegreatpoet,inlaterlife,wasashamedofthisworkofhisyouth.SuchastatementhardlyseemsreconcilablewiththeallusionstoitmadeorimpliedintheCommedia;butitistruethattheVitaNuovaisabookwhichonlyyouthcouldhaveproduced,andwhichmustchieflyremainsacredtotheyoung;toeachofwhomthefigureofBeatrice,lesslifelikethanlovelike,willseemthefriendofhisownheart.Noristhis,perhaps,itsleastpraise.Totaxitsauthorwitheffeminacyonaccountoftheextremesensitivenessevincedbythisnarrativeofhislove,wouldbemanifestlyunjust,whenwefindthat,thoughlovealoneisthethemeoftheVitaNuova,waralreadyrankedamongitsauthor’sexperiencesattheperiodtowhichitrelates.Intheyear1289,theoneprecedingthedeathofBeatrice,DanteservedwiththeforemostcavalryinthegreatbattleofCampaldino,ontheeleventhofJune,whentheFlorentinesdefeatedthepeopleofArezzo.Intheautumnofthenextyear,1290,whenforhim,bythedeathofBeatrice,thecityashesays“satsolitary,”suchrefugeashemightfindfromhisgriefwassoughtinactionanddanger:forwelearnfromtheCommedia(Hell,C.xxi.)thatheservedinthewarthenwagedbyFlorenceuponPisa,andwaspresentatthesurrenderofCaprona.Hesays,usingthereminiscencetogivelifetoadescription,inhisgreatway:—
“I’veseenthetroopsoutofCapronago
Onterms,affrightedthus,whenonthespot
Theyfoundthemselveswithfoemencompass’dso.”
(CAYLEY’STranslation.)
AwordshouldbesaidhereofthetitleofDante’sautobiography.TheadjectiveNuovo,nuova,orNovello,novella,literallyNew,isoftenusedbyDanteandotherearlywritersinthesenseofyoung.ThishasinducedsomeeditorsoftheVitaNuovatoexplainthetitleasmeaningEarlyLife.Ishouldbegladonsomeaccountstoadoptthissupposition,aseverythingisagainwhichincreasesclearnesstothemodernreader;butonconsiderationIthinkthemoremysticalinterpretationofthewords,asNewLife(inreferencetothatrevulsionofhisbeingwhichDantesominutelydescribesashavingoccurredsimultaneouslywithhisfirstsightofBeatrice),appearstheprimaryone,andthereforethemostnecessarytobegiveninatranslation.Theprobabilitymaybethatbothweremeant,butthisIcannotconvey.[3]
DANTEALIGHIERI
THENEWLIFE.(LAVITANUOVA.)
Inthatpartofthebookofmymemorybeforethewhichislittlethatcanberead,thereisarubric,saying,IncipitVitaNova.[4]UndersuchrubricIfindwrittenmanythings;andamongthemthewordswhichIpurposetocopyintothislittlebook;ifnotallofthem,attheleasttheirsubstance.
Ninetimesalreadysincemybirthhadtheheavenoflightreturnedtotheselfsamepointalmost,asconcernsitsownrevolution,whenfirstthegloriousLadyofmymindwasmademanifesttomineeyes;evenshewhowascalledBeatricebymanywhoknewnotwherefore.[5]Shehadalreadybeeninthislifeforsolongasthat,withinhertime,thestarryheavenhadmovedtowardstheEasternquarteroneofthetwelvepartsofadegree;sothatsheappearedtomeatthebeginningofherninthyearalmost,andIsawheralmostattheendofmyninthyear.Herdress,onthatday,wasofamostnoblecolour,asubduedandgoodlycrimson,girdledandadornedinsuchsortasbestsuitedwithherverytenderage.Atthatmoment,Isaymosttrulythatthespiritoflife,whichhathitsdwellinginthesecretestchamberoftheheart,begantotremblesoviolentlythattheleastpulsesofmybodyshooktherewith;andintremblingitsaidthesewords:Eccedeusfortiorme,quiveniensdominabiturmihi.[6]Atthatmomenttheanimatespirit,whichdwellethintheloftychamberwhitherallthesensescarrytheirperceptions,wasfilledwithwonder,andspeakingmoreespeciallyuntothespiritsoftheeyes,saidthesewords:Apparuitjambeatitudovestra.[7]Atthatmomentthenaturalspirit,whichdwelleththerewhereournourishmentisadministered,begantoweep,andinweepingsaidthesewords:Heumiser!quiafrequenterimpedituserodeinceps.[8]
Isaythat,fromthattimeforward,Lovequitegovernedmysoul;whichwasimmediatelyespousedtohim,andwithsosafeandundisputedalordship(byvirtueofstrongimagination)thatIhadnothingleftforitbuttodoallhisbiddingcontinually.HeoftentimescommandedmetoseekifImightseethisyoungestoftheAngels:whereforeIinmyboyhoodoftenwentinsearchofher,andfoundhersonobleandpraiseworthythatcertainlyofhermighthavebeensaidthosewordsofthepoetHomer,“Sheseemednottobethedaughterofamortalman,butofGod.”[9]Andalbeitherimage,thatwaswithmealways,wasanexultationofLovetosubdueme,itwasyetofsoperfectaqualitythatitneverallowedmetobeoverruledbyLovewithoutthefaithfulcounselofreason,whensoeversuchcounselwasusefultobeheard.ButseeingthatwereItodwellovermuchonthepassionsanddoingsofsuchearlyyouth,mywordsmightbecountedsomethingfabulous,Iwillthereforeputthemaside;andpassingmanythingsthatmaybeconceivedbythepatternofthese,Iwillcometosuchasarewritinmymemorywithabetterdistinctness.
Afterthelapseofsomanydaysthatnineyearsexactlywerecompletedsincetheabove-
writtenappearanceofthismostgraciousbeing,onthelastofthosedaysithappenedthatthesamewonderfulladyappearedtomedressedallinpurewhite,betweentwogentleladieselderthanshe.Andpassingthroughastreet,sheturnedhereyesthitherwhereIstoodsorelyabashed:andbyherunspeakablecourtesy,whichisnowguerdonedintheGreatCycle,shesalutedmewithsovirtuousabearingthatIseemedthenandtheretobeholdtheverylimitsofblessedness.Thehourofhermostsweetsalutationwasexactlytheninthofthatday;andbecauseitwasthefirsttimethatanywordsfromherreachedmineears,IcameintosuchsweetnessthatIpartedthenceasoneintoxicated.Andbetakingmetothelonelinessofmineownroom,Ifelltothinkingofthismostcourteouslady,thinkingofwhomIwasovertakenbyapleasantslumber,whereinamarvellousvisionwaspresentedtome:forthereappearedtobeinmyroomamistofthecolouroffire,withinthewhichIdiscernedthefigureofalordofterribleaspecttosuchasshouldgazeuponhim,butwhoseemedtherewithaltorejoiceinwardlythatitwasamarveltosee.Speakinghesaidmanythings,amongthewhichIcouldunderstandbutfew;andofthese,this:Egodominustuus.[10]Inhisarmsitseemedtomethatapersonwassleeping,coveredonlywithablood-colouredcloth;uponwhomlookingveryattentively,Iknewthatitwastheladyofthesalutationwhohaddeignedthedaybeforetosaluteme.Andhewhoheldherheldalsoinhishandathingthatwasburninginflames;andhesaidtome,Videcortuum.[11]Butwhenhehadremainedwithmealittlewhile,Ithoughtthathesethimselftoawakenherthatslept;afterthewhichhemadehertoeatthatthingwhichflamedinhishand;andsheateasonefearing.Then,havingwaitedagainaspace,allhisjoywasturnedintomostbitterweeping;andashewepthegatheredtheladyintohisarms,anditseemedtomethathewentwithheruptowardsheaven:wherebysuchagreatanguishcameuponmethatmylightslumbercouldnotendurethroughit,butwassuddenlybroken.Andimmediatelyhavingconsidered,Iknewthatthehourwhereinthisvisionhadbeenmademanifesttomewasthefourthhour(whichistosay,thefirstoftheninelasthours)ofthenight.
Then,musingonwhatIhadseen,Iproposedtorelatethesametomanypoetswhowerefamousinthatday:andforthatIhadmyselfinsomesorttheartofdiscoursingwithrhyme,Iresolvedonmakingasonnet,inthewhich,havingsalutedallsuchasaresubjectuntoLove,andentreatedthemtoexpoundmyvision,IshouldwriteuntothemthosethingswhichIhadseeninmysleep.AndthesonnetImadewasthis:—
Toeveryheartwhichthesweetpaindothmove,
Anduntowhichthesewordsmaynowbebrought
Fortrueinterpretationandkindthought,
BegreetinginourLord’sname,whichisLove.
Ofthoselonghourswhereinthestars,above,
Wakeandkeepwatch,thethirdwasalmostnought,
WhenLovewasshownmewithsuchterrorsfraught
Asmaynotcarelesslybespokenof.
Heseemedlikeonewhoisfullofjoy,andhad
Myheartwithinhishand,andonhisarm
Mylady,withamantleroundher,slept;
Whom(havingwakenedher)anonhemade
Toeatthatheart;sheate,asfearingharm.
Thenhewentout;andashewent,hewept.
Thissonnetisdividedintotwoparts.InthefirstpartIgivegreeting,andaskananswer;inthesecond,Isignifywhatthinghastobeansweredto.Thesecondpartcommenceshere:“Ofthoselonghours.”
TothissonnetIreceivedmanyanswers,conveyingmanydifferentopinions;ofthewhichonewassentbyhimwhomInowcallthefirstamongmyfriends,anditbeganthus,“Untomythinkingthoubeheld’stallworth.”[12]Andindeed,itwaswhenhelearnedthatIwashewhohadsentthoserhymestohim,thatourfriendshipcommenced.Butthetruemeaningofthatvisionwasnotthenperceivedbyanyone,thoughitbenowevidenttotheleastskilful.
Fromthatnightforth,thenaturalfunctionsofmybodybegantobevexedandimpeded,forIwasgivenupwhollytothinkingofthismostgraciouscreature:wherebyinshortspaceIbecamesoweakandsoreducedthatitwasirksometomanyofmyfriendstolookuponme;whileothers,beingmovedbyspite,wentabouttodiscoverwhatitwasmywishshouldbeconcealed.WhereforeI(perceivingthedriftoftheirunkindlyquestions),byLove’swill,whodirectedmeaccordingtothecounselsofreason,toldthemhowitwasLovehimselfwhohadthusdealtwithme:andIsaidso,becausethethingwassoplainlytobediscernedinmycountenancethattherewasnolongeranymeansofconcealingit.Butwhentheywentontoask,“AndbywhosehelphathLovedonethis?”Ilookedintheirfacessmiling,andspakenowordinreturn.
Nowitfellonaday,thatthismostgraciouscreaturewassittingwherewordsweretobeheardoftheQueenofGlory;[13]andIwasinaplacewhencemineeyescouldbeholdtheirbeatitude:andbetwixtherandme,inadirectline,theresatanotherladyofapleasantfavour;wholookedroundatmemanytimes,marvellingatmycontinuedgazewhichseemedtohaveherforitsobject.Andmanyperceivedthatshethuslooked;sothatdepartingthence,Ihearditwhisperedafterme,“Lookyoutowhatapasssuchaladyhathbroughthim;”andinsayingthistheynamedherwhohadbeenmidwaybetweenthemostgentleBeatriceandmineeyes.ThereforeIwasreassured,andknewthatforthatdaymysecrethadnotbecomemanifest.ThenimmediatelyitcameintomymindthatImightmakeuseofthisladyasascreentothetruth:andsowelldidIplaymypartthatthemostofthosewhohadhithertowatchedandwonderedatme,nowimaginedtheyhadfoundmeout.ByhermeansIkeptmysecretconcealedtillsomeyearsweregoneover;andformybettersecurity,Ievenmadediversrhymesinherhonour;whereofIshallherewriteonlyasmuchasconcerneththemostgentleBeatrice,whichisbutaverylittle.Moreover,aboutthesametimewhilethisladywasascreenforsomuchloveonmypart,Itookthe
resolutiontosetdownthenameofthismostgraciouscreatureaccompaniedwithmanyotherwomen’snames,andespeciallywithherswhomIspakeof.AndtothisendIputtogetherthenamesofsixtyofthemostbeautifulladiesinthatcitywhereGodhadplacedmineownlady;andthesenamesIintroducedinanepistleintheformofasirvent,whichitisnotmyintentiontotranscribehere.NeithershouldIhavesaidanythingofthismatter,didInotwishtotakenoteofacertainstrangething,towit:thathavingwrittenthelist,Ifoundmylady’snamewouldnotstandotherwisethanninthinorderamongthenamesoftheseladies.
NowitsochancedwithherbywhosemeansIhadthuslongtimeconcealedmydesire,thatitbehovedhertoleavethecityIspeakof,andtojourneyafar:whereforeI,beingsorelyperplexedatthelossofsoexcellentadefence,hadmoretroublethanevenIcouldbeforehavesupposed.AndthinkingthatifIspokenotsomewhatmournfullyofherdeparture,myformercounterfeitingwouldbethemorequicklyperceived,IdeterminedthatIwouldmakeagrievoussonnet[14]thereof;thewhichIwillwritehere,becauseithathcertainwordsinitwhereofmyladywastheimmediatecause,aswillbeplaintohimthatunderstands.
Andthesonnetwasthis:—
AllyethatpassalongLove’stroddenway,
Pauseyeawhileandsay
Iftherebeanygrieflikeuntomine:
Iprayyouthatyouhearkenashortspace
Patiently,ifmycase
Benotapiteousmarvelandasign.
Love(never,certes,formyworthlesspart,
Butofhisowngreatheart,)
Vouchsafedtomealifesocalmandsweet
ThatoftIheardfolkquestionasIwent
Whatsuchgreatgladnessmeant:—
Theyspokeofitbehindmeinthestreet.
Butnowthatfearlessbearingisallgone
WhichwithLove’shoardedwealthwasgivenme;
TillIamgrowntobe
SopoorthatIhavedreadtothinkthereon.
AndthusitisthatI,beinglikeasone
Whoisashamedandhideshispoverty,
Withoutseemfullofglee,
Andletmyheartwithintravailandmoan.
Thispoemhastwoprincipalparts;for,inthefirst,ImeantocalltheFaithfulofLoveinthosewordsofJeremiastheProphet,“Ovosomnesquitransitisperviam,attenditeetvidetesiestdolorsicutdolormeus,”andtopraythemtostayandhearme.InthesecondItellwhereLovehadplacedme,withameaningotherthanthatwhichthelastpartofthepoemshows,andIsaywhatIhavelost.Thesecondpartbeginshere,“Love,(never,certes).”
Acertainwhileafterthedepartureofthatlady,itpleasedtheMasteroftheAngelstocallintoHisgloryadamsel,youngandofagentlepresence,whohadbeenverylovelyinthecityIspeakof:andIsawherbodylyingwithoutitssoulamongmanyladies,whoheldapitifulweeping.Whereupon,rememberingthatIhadseenherinthecompanyofexcellentBeatrice,Icouldnothindermyselffromafewtears;andweeping,Iconceivedtosaysomewhatofherdeath,inguerdonofhavingseenhersomewhilewithmylady;whichthingIspakeofinthelatterendoftheversesthatIwritinthismatter,ashewilldiscernwhounderstands.AndIwrotetwosonnets,whicharethese:—
I.Weep,Lovers,sithLove’sveryselfdothweep,
Andsiththecauseforweepingissogreat;
Whennowsomanydames,ofsuchestate
Inworth,showwiththeireyesagriefsodeep:
ForDeaththechurlhaslaidhisleadensleep
Uponadamselwhowasfairoflate,
Defacingallourearthshouldcelebrate,—
Yeaallsavevirtue,whichthesouldothkeep.
NowhearkenhowmuchLovedidhonourher.
Imyselfsawhiminhisproperform
Bendingabovethemotionlesssweetdead,
AndoftengazingintoHeaven;forthere
Thesoulnowsitswhichwhenherlifewaswarm
Dweltwiththejoyfulbeautythatisfled.
Thisfirstsonnetisdividedintothreeparts.Inthefirst,IcallandbeseechtheFaithfulofLovetoweep;andIsaythattheirLordweeps,andthatthey,hearingthereasonwhyheweeps,shallbemoremindedtolistentome.Inthesecond,Irelatethisreason.Inthethird,IspeakofhonourdonebyLovetothisLady.Thesecondpartbeginshere,“Whennowsomanydames;”thethirdhere,“Nowhearken.”
II.Death,alwaycruel,Pity’sfoeinchief,
Motherwhobroughtforthgrief,
Mercilessjudgmentandwithoutappeal!
Sincethoualonehastmademyhearttofeel
Thissadnessandunweal,
Mytongueupbraideththeewithoutrelief.
Andnow(forImustridthynameofruth)
Behovesmespeakthetruth
Touchingthycrueltyandwickedness:
Notthattheybenotknown;butne’ertheless
Iwouldgivehatemorestress
Withthemthatfeedonloveinverysooth.
Outofthisworldthouhastdrivencourtesy,
Andvirtue,dearlyprizedinwomanhood;
Andoutofyouth’sgaymood
Thelovelylightnessisquitegonethroughthee.
WhomnowImourn,nomanshalllearnfromme
Savebythemeasureofthesepraisesgiven.
WhosodeservesnotHeaven
Mayneverhopetohavehercompany.[15]
Thispoemisdividedintofourparts.InthefirstIaddressDeathbycertainpropernamesofhers.Inthesecond,speakingtoher,ItellthereasonwhyIammovedtodenounceher.Inthethird,Irailagainsther.Inthefourth,Iturntospeaktoapersonundefined,althoughdefinedinmyownconception.Thesecondpartcommenceshere,“Sincethoualone;”thethirdhere,“Andnow(forImust);”thefourthhere,“Whosodeservesnot.”
Somedaysafterthedeathofthislady,IhadoccasiontoleavethecityIspeakof,andtogothitherwardswheresheabodewhohadformerlybeenmyprotection;albeittheendofmyjourneyreachednotaltogethersofar.AndnotwithstandingthatIwasvisiblyinthecompanyofmany,thejourneywassoirksomethatIhadscarcelysighingenoughtoeasemyheart’sheaviness;seeingthatasIwent,Ileftmybeatitudebehindme.Whereforeitcametopassthathewhoruledmebyvirtueofmymostgentleladywasmadevisibletomymind,inthelighthabitofatraveller,coarselyfashioned.Heappearedtometroubled,andlookedalwaysontheground;savingonlythatsometimeshiseyeswereturnedtowardsariverwhichwasclearandrapid,andwhichflowedalongthepathIwastaking.
AndthenIthoughtthatLovecalledmeandsaidtomethesewords:“Icomefromthatladywhowassolongthysurety;forthematterofwhosereturn,Iknowthatitmaynotbe.WhereforeIhavetakenthatheartwhichImadetheeleavewithher,anddobearituntoanotherlady,who,asshewas,shallbethysurety;”(andwhenhenamedherIknewherwell).“AndofthesewordsIhavespoken,ifthoushouldstspeakanyagain,letitbeinsuchsortasthatnoneshallperceivetherebythatthylovewasfeignedforher,whichthoumustnowfeignforanother.”Andwhenhehadspokenthus,allmyimaginingwasgonesuddenly,foritseemedtomethatLovebecameapartofmyself:sothat,changedasitwereinmineaspect,Irodeonfullofthoughtthewholeofthatday,andwithheavysighing.Andthedaybeingover,Iwrotethissonnet:—
Adayagone,asIrodesullenly
Uponacertainpaththatlikedmenot,
ImetLovemidwaywhiletheairwashot,
Clothedlightlyasawayfarermightbe.
Andforthecheerheshowed,heseemedtome
Asonewhohathlostlordshiphehadgot;
Advancingtow’rdsmefullofsorrowfulthought,
Bowinghisforeheadsothatnoneshouldsee.
ThenasIwent,hecalledmebymyname,
Saying:“Ijourneysincethemornwasdim
ThencewhereImadethyhearttobe:whichnow
Ineedsmustbearuntoanotherdame.”
Wherewithsomuchpassedintomeofhim
Thathewasgone,andIdiscernednothow.
Thissonnethasthreeparts.Inthefirstpart,ItellhowImetLove,andofhisaspect.Inthesecond,Itellwhathesaidtome,althoughnotinfull,throughthefearIhadofdiscoveringmysecret.Inthethird,Isayhowhedisappeared.Thesecondpartcommenceshere,“ThenasIwent;”thethirdhere,“Wherewithsomuch.”
Onmyreturn,IsetmyselftoseekoutthatladywhommymasterhadnamedtomewhileIjourneyedsighing.AndbecauseIwouldbebrief,IwillnownarratethatinashortwhileImadehermysurety,insuchsortthatthematterwasspokenofbymanyintermsscarcelycourteous;throughthewhichIhadoftenwhilesmanytroublesomehours.Andbythisithappened(towit:bythisfalseandevilrumourwhichseemedtomisfamemeofvice)thatshewhowasthedestroyerofallevilandthequeenofallgood,comingwhereIwas,deniedmehermostsweetsalutation,inthewhichalonewasmyblessedness.Andhereitisfittingformetodepartalittlefromthispresentmatter,thatitmayberightlyunderstoodofwhatsurpassingvirtuehersalutationwastome.TothewhichendIsaythatwhenshe
appearedinanyplace,itseemedtome,bythehopeofherexcellentsalutation,thattherewasnomanmineenemyanylonger;andsuchwarmthofcharitycameuponmethatmostcertainlyinthatmomentIwouldhavepardonedwhosoeverhaddonemeaninjury;andifoneshouldthenhavequestionedmeconcerninganymatter,Icouldonlyhavesaiduntohim“Love,”withacountenanceclothedinhumbleness.Andwhattimeshemadereadytosaluteme,thespiritofLove,destroyingallotherperceptions,thrustforththefeeblespiritsofmyeyes,saying,“Dohomageuntoyourmistress,”andputtingitselfintheirplacetoobey:sothathewhowould,mightthenhavebeheldLove,beholdingthelidsofmineeyesshake.Andwhenthismostgentleladygavehersalutation,Love,sofarfrombeingamediumbecloudingmineintolerablebeatitude,thenbredinmesuchanoverpoweringsweetnessthatmybody,beingallsubjectedthereto,remainedmanytimeshelplessandpassive.Wherebyitismademanifestthatinhersalutationalonewasthereanybeatitudeforme,whichthenveryoftenwentbeyondmyendurance.
Andnow,resumingmydiscourse,Iwillgoontorelatethatwhen,forthefirsttime,thisbeatitudewasdeniedme,Ibecamepossessedwithsuchgriefthat,partingmyselffromothers,Iwentintoalonelyplacetobathethegroundwithmostbittertears:andwhen,bythisheatofweeping,Iwassomewhatrelieved,Ibetookmyselftomychamber,whereIcouldlamentunheard.Andthere,havingprayedtotheLadyofallMercies,andhavingsaidalso,“OLove,aidthouthyservant,”Iwentsuddenlyasleeplikeabeatensobbingchild.Andinmysleep,towardsthemiddleofit,Iseemedtoseeintheroom,seatedatmyside,ayouthinverywhiteraiment,whokepthiseyesfixedonmeindeepthought.Andwhenhehadgazedsometime,Ithoughtthathesighedandcalledtomeinthesewords:“Filimi,tempusestutprætermittantursimulatanostra.”[16]AndthereuponIseemedtoknowhim;forthevoicewasthesamewherewithhehadspokenatothertimesinmysleep.Thenlookingathim,Iperceivedthathewasweepingpiteously,andthatheseemedtobewaitingformetospeak.Wherefore,takingheart,Ibeganthus:“Whyweepestthou,Masterofallhonour?”Andhemadeanswertome:“Egotanquamcentrumcirculi,cuisimilimodosehabentcircumferentiæpartes:tuautemnonsic.”[17]Andthinkinguponhiswords,theyseemedtomeobscure;sothatagaincompellingmyselfuntospeech,Iaskedofhim:“Whatthingisthis,Master,thatthouhastspokenthusdarkly?”Tothewhichhemadeanswerinthevulgartongue:“Demandnomorethanmaybeusefultothee.”WhereuponIbegantodiscoursewithhimconcerninghersalutationwhichshehaddeniedme;andwhenIhadquestionedhimofthecause,hesaidthesewords:“OurBeatricehathheardfromcertainpersons,thattheladywhomInamedtotheewhilethoujourneyedstfullofsighsissorelydisquietedbythysolicitations:andthereforethismostgraciouscreature,whoistheenemyofalldisquiet,beingfearfulofsuchdisquiet,refusedtosalutethee.Forthewhichreason(albeit,inverysooth,thysecretmustneedshavebecomeknowntoherbyfamiliarobservation)itismywillthatthoucomposecertainthingsinrhyme,inthewhichthoushaltsetforthhowstrongamastershipIhaveobtainedoverthee,throughher;andhowthouwasthersevenfromthychildhood.Alsodothoucalluponhimthatknoweththesethingstobearwitnesstothem,biddinghimtospeakwithherthereof;thewhichI,whoamhe,willdowillingly.Andthussheshallbemadetoknowthydesire;knowingwhich,sheshallknowlikewisethattheyweredeceivedwhospakeoftheetoher.Andsowritethesethings,thattheyshallseemrathertobespokenbyathirdperson;and
notdirectlybytheetoher,whichisscarcefitting.Afterthewhich,sendthem,notwithoutme,whereshemaychancetohearthem;buthavethemfittedwithapleasantmusic,intothewhichIwillpasswhensoeveritneedeth.”Withthisspeechhewasaway,andmysleepwasbrokenup.
Whereupon,rememberingme,IknewthatIhadbeheldthisvisionduringtheninthhouroftheday;andIresolvedthatIwouldmakeaditty,beforeIleftmychamber,accordingtothewordsmymasterhadspoken.AndthisisthedittythatImade:—
Song,’tismywillthatthoudoseekoutLove,
Andgowithhimwheremydearladyis;
Thatsomycause,thewhichthyharmonies
Doplead,hisbetterspeechmayclearlyprove.
Thougoest,mySong,insuchacourteouskind,
Thatevencompanionless
Thoumaystrelyonthyselfanywhere.
Andyet,anthouwouldstgettheeasafemind,
FirstuntoLoveaddress
Thysteps;whoseaid,mayhap,’twereilltospare,
Seeingthatshetowhomthoumak’stthyprayer
Is,asIthink,ill-mindeduntome,
AndthatifLovedonotcompanionthee,
Thou’lthaveperchancesmallcheertotellmeof.
Withasweetaccent,whenthoucom’sttoher,
Beginthouinthesewords,
Firsthavingcravedagraciousaudience:
“Hewhohathsentmeashismessenger,
Lady,thusmuchrecords,
Anthoubutsufferhim,inhisdefence.
Love,whocomeswithme,bythineinfluence
Canmakethismandoasitlikethhim:
Wherefore,ifthisfaultisordothbutseem
Dothouconceive:forhisheartcannotmove.”
Saytoheralso:“Lady,hispoorheart
Issoconfirmedinfaith
Thatallitsthoughtsarebutofservingthee:
’Twasearlythine,andcouldnotswerveapart.”
Then,ifshewavereth,
BidheraskLove,whoknowsifthesethingsbe.
Andintheend,begofhermodestly
Topardonsomuchboldness:sayingtoo:—
“Ifthoudeclarehisdeathtobethydue,
Thethingshallcometopass,asdothbehove.”
ThenpraythouoftheMasterofallruth,
Beforethouleaveherthere,
Thathebefriendmycauseandpleaditwell.
“Inguerdonofmysweetrhymesandmytruth”
(Entreathim)“staywithher;
Letnotthehopeofthypoorservantfail;
Andifwithherthypleadingshouldprevail,
Letherlookonhimandgivepeacetohim.”
GentlemySong,ifgoodtotheeitseem,
Dothis:soworshipshallbethineandlove.
Thisdittyisdividedintothreeparts.Inthefirst,Itellitwhithertogo,andIencourageit,thatitmaygothemoreconfidently,andItellitwhosecompanytojoinifitwouldgowithconfidenceandwithoutanydanger.Inthesecond,Isaythatwhichitbehovesthedittytosetforth.Inthethird,Igiveitleavetostartwhenitpleases,recommendingitscoursetothearmsofFortune.Thesecondpartbeginshere,“Withasweetaccent;”thethirdhere,“GentlemySong.”Somemightcontradictme,andsaythattheyunderstandnotwhomIaddressinthesecondperson,seeingthatthedittyismerelytheverywordsIamspeaking.AndthereforeIsaythatthisdoubtIintendtosolveandclearupinthislittlebookitself,atamoredifficultpassage,andthenlethimunderstandwhonowdoubts,orwouldnowcontradictasaforesaid.
AfterthisvisionIhaverecorded,andhavingwrittenthosewordswhichLovehaddictatedtome,Ibegantobeharassedwithmanyanddiversthoughts,byeachofwhichIwassorelytempted;andinespecial,therewerefouramongthemthatleftmenorest.Thefirstwasthis:“CertainlythelordshipofLoveisgood;seeingthatitdivertsthemindfromallmeanthings.”Thesecondwasthis:“CertainlythelordshipofLoveisevil;seeingthatthemorehomagehisservantspaytohim,themoregrievousandpainfularethetormentswherewithhetormentsthem.”Thethirdwasthis:“ThenameofLoveissosweetinthehearingthatitwouldnotseempossibleforitseffectstobeotherthansweet;seeingthat
thenamemustneedsbelikeuntothethingnamed;asitiswritten:Nominasuntconsequentiarerum.”[18]Andthefourthwasthis:“TheladywhomLovehathchosenouttogoverntheeisnotasotherladies,whoseheartsareeasilymoved.”
AndbyeachoneofthesethoughtsIwassosorelyassailedthatIwaslikeuntohimwhodoubtethwhichpathtotake,andwishingtogo,goethnot.AndifIbethoughtmyselftoseekoutsomepointatthewhichallthesepathsmightbefoundtomeet,Idiscernedbutoneway,andthatirkedme;towit,tocalluponPity,andtocommendmyselfuntoher.Anditwasthenthat,feelingadesiretowritesomewhatthereofinrhyme,Iwrotethissonnet:—
AllmythoughtsalwaysspeaktomeofLove,
Yethavebetweenthemselvessuchdifference
Thatwhileonebidsmebowwithmindandsense,
Asecondsaith,“Goto:lookthouabove;”
Thethirdone,hoping,yieldsmejoyenough;
Andwiththelastcometears,Iscarceknowwhence:
Allofthemcravingpityinsoresuspense,
Tremblingwithfearsthattheheartknowethof.
Andthus,beingallunsurewhichpathtotake,
WishingtospeakIknownotwhattosay,
Andlosemyselfinamorouswanderings:
Until,(mypeacewithallofthemtomake,)
UntomineenemyIneedsmustpray,
MyLadyPity,forthehelpshebrings.
Thissonnetmaybedividedintofourparts.Inthefirst,IsayandpropoundthatallmythoughtsareconcerningLove.Inthesecond,Isaythattheyarediverse,andIrelatetheirdiversity.Inthethird,Isaywhereintheyallseemtoagree.Inthefourth,Isaythat,wishingtospeakofLove,Iknownotfromwhichofthesethoughtstotakemyargument;andthatifIwouldtakeitfromall,Ishallhavetocalluponmineenemy,myLadyPity.“Lady”Isay,asinascornfulmodeofspeech.Thesecondbeginshere,“Yethavebetweenthemselves;”thethird,“Allofthemcraving;”thefourth,“Andthus.”
Afterthisbattlingwithmanythoughts,itchancedonadaythatmymostgraciousladywaswithagatheringofladiesinacertainplace;tothewhichIwasconductedbyafriendofmine;hethinkingtodomeagreatpleasurebyshowingmethebeautyofsomanywomen.ThenI,hardlyknowingwhereuntoheconductedme,buttrustinginhim(whoyetwasleadinghisfriendtothelastvergeoflife),madequestion:“Towhatendarewecomeamongtheseladies?”andheanswered:“Totheendthattheymaybeworthilyserved.”Andtheywereassembledaroundagentlewomanwhowasgiveninmarriageonthatday;
thecustomofthecitybeingthattheseshouldbearhercompanywhenshesatdownforthefirsttimeattableinthehouseofherhusband.ThereforeI,aswasmyfriend’spleasure,resolvedtostaywithhimanddohonourtothoseladies.
ButassoonasIhadthusresolved,Ibegantofeelafaintnessandathrobbingatmyleftside,whichsoontookpossessionofmywholebody.WhereuponIrememberthatIcovertlyleanedmybackuntoapaintingthatranroundthewallsofthathouse;andbeingfearfullestmytremblingshouldbediscernedofthem,Iliftedmineeyestolookonthoseladies,andthenfirstperceivedamongthemtheexcellentBeatrice.AndwhenIperceivedher,allmysenseswereoverpoweredbythegreatlordshipthatLoveobtained,findinghimselfsonearuntothatmostgraciousbeing,untilnothingbutthespiritsofsightremainedtome;andeventheseremaineddrivenoutoftheirowninstrumentsbecauseLoveenteredinthathonouredplaceoftheirs,thatsohemightthebetterbeholdher.AndalthoughIwasotherthanatfirst,Igrievedforthespiritssoexpelled,whichkeptupasorelament,saying:“Ifhehadnotinthiswisethrustusforth,wealsoshouldbeholdthemarvelofthislady.”Bythis,manyofherfriends,havingdiscernedmyconfusion,begantowonder;andtogetherwithherself,keptwhisperingofmeandmockingme.Whereuponmyfriend,whoknewnotwhattoconceive,tookmebythehands,anddrawingmeforthfromamongthem,requiredtoknowwhatailedme.Then,havingfirstheldmeatquietforaspaceuntilmyperceptionswerecomebacktome,Imadeanswertomyfriend:“OfasuretyIhavenowsetmyfeetonthatpointoflife,beyondthewhichhemustnotpasswhowouldreturn.”[19]
Afterwards,leavinghim,IwentbacktotheroomwhereIhadweptbefore;andagainweepingandashamed,said:“Ifthisladybutknewofmycondition,Idonotthinkthatshewouldthusmockatme;nay,Iamsurethatshemustneedsfeelsomepity.”AndinmyweepingIbethoughtmetowritecertainwords,inthewhich,speakingtoher,Ishouldsignifytheoccasionofmydisfigurement,tellingheralsohowIknewthatshehadnoknowledgethereof:which,ifitwereknown,Iwascertainmustmoveotherstopity.Andthen,becauseIhopedthatperadventureitmightcomeintoherhearing,Iwrotethissonnet:—
Evenastheothersmock,thoumockestme;
Notdreaming,noblelady,whenceitis
ThatIamtakenwithstrangesemblances,
Seeingthyfacewhichissofairtosee:
Forelse,compassionwouldnotsufferthee
Togrievemyheartwithsuchharshscoffsasthese.
Lo!Love,whenthouartpresent,sitsatease,
Andbearshismastershipsomightily,
Thatallmytroubledsenseshethrustsout,
Sorelytormentingsome,andslayingsome,
Tillnonebutheisleftandhasfreerange
Togazeonthee.Thismakesmyfacetochange
Intoanother’s;whileIstandalldumb,
Andhearmysensesclamourintheirrout.
ThissonnetIdividenotintoparts,becauseadivisionisonlymadetoopenthemeaningofthethingdivided:andthis,asitissufficientlymanifestthroughthereasonsgiven,hasnoneedofdivision.Trueitisthat,amidthewordswherebyisshowntheoccasionofthissonnet,dubiouswordsaretobefound;namely,whenIsaythatLovekillsallmyspirits,butthatthevisualremaininlife,onlyoutsideoftheirowninstruments.AndthisdifficultyitisimpossibleforanytosolvewhoisnotinequalguiseliegeuntoLove;and,tothosewhoareso,thatismanifestwhichwouldclearupthedubiouswords.Andthereforeitwerenotwellformetoexpoundthisdifficulty,inasmuchasmyspeakingwouldbeeitherfruitlessorelsesuperfluous.
Awhileafterthisstrangedisfigurement,Ibecamepossessedwithastrongconceptionwhichleftmebutveryseldom,andthentoreturnquickly.Anditwasthis:“Seeingthatthoucomestintosuchscornbythecompanionshipofthislady,whereforeseekestthoutobeholdher?Ifsheshouldasktheethisthing,whatanswercouldstthoumakeuntoher?yea,eventhoughthouwertmasterofallthyfaculties,andinnowayhinderedfromanswering.”Untothewhich,anotherveryhumblethoughtsaidinreply:“IfIweremasterofallmyfaculties,andinnowayhinderedfromanswering,IwouldtellherthatnosoonerdoIimagetomyselfhermarvellousbeautythanIampossessedwithadesiretobeholdher,thewhichisofsogreatstrengththatitkillsanddestroysinmymemoryallthosethingswhichmightopposeit;anditisthereforethatthegreatanguishIhaveenduredtherebyisyetnotenoughtorestrainmefromseekingtobeholdher.”Andthen,becauseofthesethoughts,Iresolvedtowritesomewhat,wherein,havingpleadedmineexcuse,IshouldtellherofwhatIfeltinherpresence.WhereuponIwrotethissonnet:—
Thethoughtsarebrokeninmymemory,
ThoulovelyJoy,whene’erIseethyface;
Whenthouartnearme,Lovefillsupthespace,
Oftenrepeating,“Ifdeathirkthee,fly.”
Myfaceshowsmyheart’scolour,verily,
Which,fainting,seeksforanyleaning-place;
Till,inthedrunkenterrorofdisgrace,
Theverystonesseemtobeshrieking,“Die!”
Itwereagrievoussin,ifoneshouldnot
Strivethentocomfortmybewilderedmind
(Thoughmerelywithasimplepitying)
Forthegreatanguishwhichthyscornhaswrought
Inthedeadsighto’theeyesgrownnearlyblind,
Whichlookfordeathasforablessedthing.
Thissonnetisdividedintotwoparts.Inthefirst,ItellthecausewhyIabstainnotfromcomingtothislady.Inthesecond,Itellwhatbefallsmethroughcomingtoher;andthispartbeginshere“Whenthouartnear.”Andalsothissecondpartdividesintofivedistinctstatements.For,inthefirst,IsaywhatLove,counselledbyReason,tellsmewhenIamnearthelady.Inthesecond,Isetforththestateofmyheartbytheexampleoftheface.Inthethird,Isayhowallgroundoftrustfailsme.Inthefourth,Isaythathesinswhoshowsnotpityofme,whichwouldgivemesomecomfort.Inthelast,Isaywhypeopleshouldtakepity:namely,forthepiteouslookwhichcomesintomineeyes;whichpiteouslookisdestroyed,thatis,appearethnotuntoothers,throughthejeeringofthislady,whodrawstothelikeactionthosewhoperadventurewouldseethispiteousness.Thesecondpartbeginshere,“Myfaceshows;”thethird,“Till,inthedrunkenterror;”thefourth,“Itwereagrievoussin;”thefifth,“Forthegreatanguish.”
Thereafter,thissonnetbredinmedesiretowritedowninversefourotherthingstouchingmycondition,thewhichthingsitseemedtomethatIhadnotyetmademanifest.Thefirstamongthesewasthegriefthatpossessedmeveryoften,rememberingthestrangenesswhichLovewroughtinme;thesecondwas,howLovemanytimesassailedmesosuddenlyandwithsuchstrengththatIhadnootherliferemainingexceptathoughtwhichspakeofmylady;thethirdwas,how,whenLovedidbattlewithmeinthiswise,Iwouldriseupallcolourless,ifsoImightseemylady,conceivingthatthesightofherwoulddefendmeagainsttheassaultofLove,andaltogetherforgettingthatwhichherpresencebroughtuntome;andthefourthwas,how,whenIsawher,thesightnotonlydefendedmenot,buttookawaythelittlelifethatremainedtome.AndIsaidthesefourthingsinasonnet,whichisthis:—
Atwhiles(yeaoftentimes)Imuseover
Thequalityofanguishthatismine
ThroughLove:thenpitymakesmyvoicetopine,
Saying,“Isanyelsethus,anywhere?”
Lovesmitethme,whosestrengthisilltobear;
Sothatofallmylifeisleftnosign
Exceptonethought;andthat,because’tisthine,
Leavesnotthebodybutabideththere.
AndthenifI,whomotheraidforsook,
Wouldaidmyself,andinnocentofart
Wouldfainhavesightoftheeasalasthope,
NosoonerdoIliftmineeyestolook
Thanthebloodseemsasshakenfrommyheart,
Andallmypulsesbeatatonceandstop.
Thissonnetisdividedintofourparts,fourthingsbeingthereinnarrated;andasthesearesetforthabove,Ionlyproceedtodistinguishthepartsbytheirbeginnings.WhereforeIsaythatthesecondpartbegins,“Lovesmitethme;”thethird,“AndthenifI;”thefourth,“NosoonerdoIlift.”
AfterIhadwrittenthesethreelastsonnets,whereinIspakeuntomylady,tellingheralmostthewholeofmycondition,itseemedtomethatIshouldbesilent,havingsaidenoughconcerningmyself.ButalbeitIspakenottoheragain,yetitbehovedmeafterwardtowriteofanothermatter,morenoblethantheforegoing.AndforthattheoccasionofwhatIthenwrotemaybefoundpleasantinthehearing,IwillrelateitasbrieflyasImay.
Throughthesorechangeinmineaspect,thesecretofmyheartwasnowunderstoodofmany.Whichthingbeingthus,therecameadaywhencertainladiestowhomitwaswellknown(theyhavingbeenwithmeatdiverstimesinmytrouble)weremettogetherforthepleasureofgentlecompany.AndasIwasgoingthatwaybychance,(butIthinkratherbythewilloffortune,)Iheardoneofthemcalluntome,andshethatcalledwasaladyofverysweetspeech.AndwhenIhadcomecloseupwiththem,andperceivedthattheyhadnotamongthemmineexcellentlady,Iwasreassured;andsalutedthem,askingoftheirpleasure.Theladiesweremany;diversofwhomwerelaughingonetoanother,whilediversgazedatmeasthoughIshouldspeakanon.ButwhenIstillspakenot,oneofthem,whobeforehadbeentalkingwithanother,addressedmebymyname,saying,“Towhatendlovestthouthislady,seeingthatthoucanstnotsupportherpresence?Nowtellusthisthing,thatwemayknowit:forcertainlytheendofsuchalovemustbeworthyofknowledge.”Andwhenshehadspokenthesewords,notsheonly,butalltheythatwerewithher,begantoobserveme,waitingformyreply.WhereuponIsaidthusuntothem:—”Ladies,theendandaimofmyLovewasbutthesalutationofthatladyofwhomIconceivethatyearespeaking;whereinaloneIfoundthatbeatitudewhichisthegoalofdesire.Andnowthatithathpleasedhertodenymethis,Love,myMaster,ofhisgreatgoodness,hathplacedallmybeatitudetherewheremyhopewillnotfailme.”Thenthoseladiesbegantotalkcloselytogether;andasIhaveseensnowfallamongtherain,sowastheirtalkmingledwithsighs.Butafteralittle,thatladywhohadbeenthefirsttoaddressme,addressedmeagaininthesewords:“Wepraytheethatthouwilttelluswhereinabideththisthybeatitude.”Andanswering,Isaidbutthusmuch:“Inthosewordsthatdopraisemylady.”Tothewhichsherejoined:“Ifthyspeechweretrue,thosewordsthatthoudidstwriteconcerningthyconditionwouldhavebeenwrittenwithanotherintent.”
ThenI,beingalmostputtoshamebecauseofheranswer,wentoutfromamongthem;andasIwalked,Isaidwithinmyself:“Seeingthatthereissomuchbeatitudeinthosewordswhichdopraisemylady,whereforehathmyspeechofherbeendifferent?”AndthenIresolvedthatthenceforwardIwouldchooseforthethemeofmywritingsonlythepraiseofthismostgraciousbeing.ButwhenIhadthoughtexceedingly,itseemedtomethatIhadtakentomyselfathemewhichwasmuchtoolofty,sothatIdarednotbegin;andI
remainedduringseveraldaysinthedesireofspeaking,andthefearofbeginning.Afterwhichithappened,asIpassedonedayalongapathwhichlaybesideastreamofveryclearwater,thattherecameuponmeagreatdesiretosaysomewhatinrhyme:butwhenIbeganthinkinghowIshouldsayit,methoughtthattospeakofherwereunseemly,unlessIspoketootherladiesinthesecondperson;whichistosay,nottoanyotherladies,butonlytosuchasaresocalledbecausetheyaregentle,letaloneformerewomanhood.WhereuponIdeclarethatmytonguespakeasthoughbyitsownimpulse,andsaid,“Ladiesthathaveintelligenceinlove.”ThesewordsIlaidupinmymindwithgreatgladness,conceivingtotakethemasmycommencement.Wherefore,havingreturnedtothecityIspakeof,andconsideredthereofduringcertaindays,Ibeganapoemwiththisbeginning,constructedinthemodewhichwillbeseenbelowinitsdivision.Thepoembeginshere:—
Ladiesthathaveintelligenceinlove,
OfmineownladyIwouldspeakwithyou;
NotthatIhopetocountherpraisesthrough,
ButtellingwhatImay,toeasemymind.
AndIdeclarethatwhenIspeakthereof,
Loveshedssuchperfectsweetnessoverme
Thatifmycouragefailednot,certainly
Tohimmylistenersmustbeallresign’d.
WhereforeIwillnotspeakinsuchlargekind
Thatmineownspeechshouldfoilme,whichwerebase;
Butonlywilldiscourseofherhighgrace
Inthesepoorwords,thebestthatIcanfind,
Withyoualone,deardamesanddamozels:
’Twereilltospeakthereofwithanyelse.
AnAngel,ofhisblessedknowledge,saith
ToGod:“Lord,intheworldthatThouhastmade,
Amiracleinactionisdisplay’d,
Byreasonofasoulwhosesplendoursfare
Evenhither:andsinceHeavenrequireth
Noughtsavingher,forheritprayethThee,
ThySaintscryingaloudcontinually.”
YetPitystilldefendsourearthlyshare
Inthatsweetsoul;Godansweringthustheprayer:
“Mywell-belovèd,sufferthatinpeace
Yourhoperemain,whilesoMypleasureis,
Therewhereonedwellswhodreadsthelossofher:
AndwhoinHelluntothedoomedshallsay,
‘IhavelookedonthatforwhichGod’schosenpray.’”
MyladyisdesiredinthehighHeaven:
Wherefore,itnowbehovethmetotell,
Saying:Letanymaidthatwouldbewell
Esteemedkeepwithher:forasshegoesby,
Intofoulheartsadeathlychillisdriven
ByLove,thatmakesillthoughttoperishthere:
Whileanywhoendurestogazeonher
Musteitherbeennobled,orelsedie.
Whenonedeservingtoberaisedsohigh
Isfound,’tisthenherpowerattainsitsproof,
Makinghisheartstrongforhissoul’sbehoof
Withthefullstrengthofmeekhumility.
Alsothisvirtueownsshe,byGod’swill:
Whospeakswithhercannevercometoill.
Lovesaithconcerningher:“Howchancethit
Thatflesh,whichisofdust,shouldbethuspure?”
Then,gazingalways,hemakesoath:“Forsure,
ThisisacreatureofGodtillnowunknown.”
Shehaththatpalenessofthepearlthat’sfit
Inafairwoman,somuchandnotmore;
SheisashighasNature’sskillcansoar;
Beautyistriedbyhercomparison.
Whateverhersweeteyesareturnedupon,
Spiritsoflovedoissuethenceinflame,
Whichthroughtheireyeswhothenmaylookonthem
Piercetotheheart’sdeepchambereveryone.
AndinhersmileLove’simageyoumaysee;
Whencenonecangazeuponhersteadfastly.
DearSong,Iknowthouwiltholdgentlespeech
Withmanyladies,whenIsendtheeforth:
Wherefore(beingmindfulthatthouhadstthybirth
FromLove,andartamodest,simplechild),
Whomsothoumeetest,saythouthistoeach:
“Givemegoodspeed!ToherIwendalong
Inwhosemuchstrengthmyweaknessismadestrong.”
Andif,i’theend,thouwouldstnotbebeguiled
Ofallthylabour,seeknotthedefiled
Andcommonsort;butratherchoosetobe
Wheremanandwomandwellincourtesy.
Sototheroadthoushaltbereconciled,
Andfindthelady,andwiththelady,Love.
Commendthoumetoeach,asdothbehove.
Thispoem,thatitmaybebetterunderstood,Iwilldividemoresubtlythantheotherspreceding;andthereforeIwillmakethreepartsofit.Thefirstpartisaproemtothewordsfollowing.Thesecondisthemattertreatedof.Thethirdis,asitwere,ahandmaidtotheprecedingwords.Thesecondbeginshere,“AnAngel;”thethirdhere,“DearSong,Iknow.”Thefirstpartisdividedintofour.Inthefirst,IsaytowhomImeantospeakofmylady,andwhereforeIwillsospeak.Inthesecond,IsaywhatsheappearstomyselftobewhenIreflectuponherexcellence,andwhatIwouldutterifIlostnotcourage.Inthethird,IsaywhatitisIpurposetospeaksoasnottobeimpededbyfaintheartedness.Inthefourth,repeatingtowhomIpurposespeaking,ItellthereasonwhyIspeaktothem.Thesecondbeginshere,“AndIdeclare;”thethirdhere,“WhereforeIwillnotspeak;”thefourthhere,“Withyoualone.”Then,whenIsay“AnAngel,”Ibegintreatingofthislady:andthispartisdividedintotwo.Inthefirst,Itellwhatisunderstoodofherinheaven.Inthesecond,Itellwhatisunderstoodofheronearth:here,“Myladyisdesired.”Thissecondpartisdividedintotwo;for,inthefirst,Ispeakofherasregardsthenoblenessofhersoul,relatingsomeofhervirtuesproceedingfromhersoul;inthesecond,Ispeakofherasregardsthenoblenessofherbody,narratingsomeofherbeauties:here,“Lovesaithconcerningher.”Thissecondpartisdividedintotwo,for,inthefirst,Ispeakofcertainbeautieswhichbelongtothewholeperson;inthesecond,Ispeakofcertainbeautieswhichbelongtoadistinctpartoftheperson:here,“Whateverhersweeteyes.”Thissecondpartisdividedintotwo;for,intheone,Ispeakoftheeyes,whicharethebeginningoflove;inthesecond,Ispeakofthemouth,whichistheendoflove.Andthat
everyviciousthoughtmaybediscardedherefrom,letthereaderrememberthatitisabovewrittenthatthegreetingofthislady,whichwasanactofhermouth,wasthegoalofmydesires,whileIcouldreceiveit.Then,whenIsay,“DearSong,Iknow,”Iaddastanzaasitwerehandmaidtotheothers,whereinIsaywhatIdesirefromthismypoem.Andbecausethislastpartiseasytounderstand,Itroublenotmyselfwithmoredivisions.Isay,indeed,thatthefurthertoopenthemeaningofthispoem,moreminutedivisionsoughttobeused;butneverthelesshewhoisnotofwitenoughtounderstanditbythesewhichhavebeenalreadymadeiswelcometoleaveitalone;forcertes,IfearIhavecommunicateditssensetotoomanybythesepresentdivisions,ifitsohappenedthatmanyshouldhearit.
Whenthissongwasalittlegoneabroad,acertainoneofmyfriends,hearingthesame,waspleasedtoquestionme,thatIshouldtellhimwhatthingloveis;itmaybe,conceivingfromthewordsthusheardahopeofmebeyondmydesert.WhereforeI,thinkingthataftersuchdiscourseitwerewelltosaysomewhatofthenatureofLove,andalsoinaccordancewithmyfriend’sdesire,proposedtomyselftowritecertainwordsinthewhichIshouldtreatofthisargument.AndthesonnetthatIthenmadeisthis:—
Loveandthegentleheartareonesamething,
Evenasthewiseman[20]inhisdittysaith:
Each,ofitself,wouldbesuchlifeindeath
Asrationalsoulbereftofreasoning.
’TisNaturemakesthemwhensheloves:aking
Loveis,whosepalacewherehesojourneth
IscalledtheHeart;theredrawshequietbreath
Atfirst,withbrieforlongerslumbering.
Thenbeautyseeninvirtuouswomankind
Willmaketheeyesdesire,andthroughtheheart
Sendthedesiringoftheeyesagain;
Whereoftenitabidessolongenshrin’d
ThatLoveatlengthoutofhissleepwillstart.
Andwomenfeelthesameforworthymen.
Thissonnetisdividedintotwoparts.Inthefirst,Ispeakofhimaccordingtohispower.Inthesecond,Ispeakofhimaccordingashispowertranslatesitselfintoact.Thesecondpartbeginshere,“Thenbeautyseen.”Thefirstisdividedintotwo.Inthefirst,Isayinwhatsubjectthispowerexists.Inthesecond,Isayhowthissubjectandthispowerareproducedtogether,andhowtheoneregardstheother,asformdoesmatter.Thesecondbeginshere,“’TisNature.”AfterwardswhenIsay,“Thenbeautyseeninvirtuouswomankind,”Isayhowthispowertranslatesitselfintoact;and,first,howitsotranslatesitselfinaman,thenhowitsotranslatesitselfinawoman:here,“Andwomenfeel.”
Havingtreatedofloveintheforegoing,itappearedtomethatIshouldalsosaysomethinginpraiseofmylady,whereinitmightbesetforthhowlovemanifesteditselfwhenproducedbyher;andhownotonlyshecouldawakenitwhereitslept,butwhereitwasnotshecouldmarvellouslycreateit.TothewhichendIwroteanothersonnet;anditisthis:—
Myladycarrieslovewithinhereyes;
Allthatshelooksonismadepleasanter;
Uponherpathmenturntogazeather;
Hewhomshegreetethfeelshishearttorise,
Anddroopshistroubledvisage,fullofsighs,
Andofhisevilheartisthenaware:
Hateloves,andpridebecomesaworshipper.
Owomen,helptopraiseherinsomewise.
Humbleness,andthehopethathopethwell,
Byspeechofhersintothemindarebrought,
Andwhobeholdsisblessèdoftenwhiles.
Thelookshehathwhenshealittlesmiles
Cannotbesaid,norholdeninthethought;
’Tissuchanewandgraciousmiracle.
Thissonnethasthreesections.Inthefirst,Isayhowthisladybringsthispowerintoactionbythosemostnoblefeatures,hereyes;and,inthethird,Isaythissameastothatmostnoblefeature,hermouth.Andbetweenthesetwosectionsisalittlesection,whichasks,asitwere,helpfortheprevioussectionandthesubsequent;anditbeginshere,“Owomen,help.”Thethirdbeginshere,“Humbleness.”Thefirstisdividedintothree;for,inthefirst,Isayhowshewithpowermakesnoblethatwhichshelooksupon;andthisisasmuchastosaythatshebringsLove,inpower,thitherwhereheisnot.Inthesecond,IsayhowshebringsLove,inact,intotheheartsofallthosewhomshesees.Inthethird,Itellwhatsheafterwards,withvirtue,operatesupontheirhearts.Thesecondbegins,“Uponherpath;”thethird,“Hewhomshegreeteth.”Then,whenIsay,“Owomen,help,”Iintimatetowhomitismyintentiontospeak,callingonwomentohelpmetohonourher.Then,whenIsay,“Humbleness,”Isaythatsamewhichissaidinthefirstpart,regardingtwoactsofhermouth,onewhereofishermostsweetspeech,andtheotherhermarvelloussmile.Only,Isaynotofthislasthowitoperatesupontheheartsofothers,becausememorycannotretainthissmile,noritsoperation.
Notmanydaysafterthis(itbeingthewillofthemostHighGod,whoalsofromHimselfputnotawaydeath),thefatherofwonderfulBeatrice,goingoutofthislife,passedcertainlyintoglory.Therebyithappened,asofverysoothitmightnotbeotherwise,that
thisladywasmadefullofthebitternessofgrief:seeingthatsuchapartingisverygrievousuntothosefriendswhoareleft,andthatnootherfriendshipisliketothatbetweenagoodparentandagoodchild;andfurthermoreconsideringthatthisladywasgoodinthesupremedegree,andherfather(asbymanyithathbeentrulyaverred)ofexceedinggoodness.Andbecauseitistheusageofthatcitythatmenmeetwithmeninsuchagrief,andwomenwithwomen,certainladiesofhercompanionshipgatheredthemselvesuntoBeatrice,whereshekeptaloneinherweeping:andastheypassedinandout,Icouldhearthemspeakconcerningher,howshewept.Atlengthtwoofthemwentbyme,whosaid:“Certainlyshegrievethinsuchsortthatonemightdieforpity,beholdingher.”Then,feelingthetearsuponmyface,Iputupmyhandstohidethem:andhaditnotbeenthatIhopedtohearmoreconcerningher(seeingthatwhereIsat,herfriendspassedcontinuallyinandout),Ishouldassuredlyhavegonethencetobealone,whenIfeltthetearscome.ButasIstillsatinthatplace,certainladiesagainpassednearme,whoweresayingamongthemselves:“Whichofusshallbejoyfulanymore,whohavelistenedtothisladyinherpiteoussorrow?”Andtherewereotherswhosaidastheywentbyme:“Hethatsittethherecouldnotweepmoreifhehadbeheldheraswehavebeheldher;”andagain:“Heissoalteredthatheseemethnotashimself.”Andstillastheladiespassedtoandfro,Icouldhearthemspeakafterthisfashionofherandofme.
Whereforeafterwards,havingconsideredandperceivingthattherewashereinmatterforpoesy,IresolvedthatIwouldwritecertainrhymesinthewhichshouldbecontainedallthatthoseladieshadsaid.AndbecauseIwouldwillinglyhavespokentothemifithadnotbeenfordiscreetness,ImadeinmyrhymesasthoughIhadspokenandtheyhadansweredme.AndthereofIwrotetwosonnets;inthefirstofwhichIaddressedthemasIwouldfainhavedone;andinthesecondrelatedtheiranswer,usingthespeechthatIhadheardfromthem,asthoughithadbeenspokenuntomyself.Andthesonnetsarethese:—
I.Youthatthuswearamodestcountenance
Withlidsweigh’ddownbytheheart’sheaviness,
Whencecomeyou,thatamongyoueveryface
Appearsthesame,foritspaletroubledglance?
Haveyoubeheldmylady’sface,perchance,
Bow’dwiththegriefthatLovemakesfullofgrace?
Saynow,“Thisthingisthus;”asmyheartsays,
Markingyourgraveandsorrowfuladvance.
Andifindeedyoucomefromwhereshesighs
Andmourns,mayitpleaseyou(forhisheart’srelief)
Totellhowitfareswithheruntohim
Whoknowsthatyouhavewept,seeingyoureyes,
Andissogrievedwithlookingonyourgrief
Thathishearttremblesandhissightgrowsdim.
Thissonnetisdividedintotwoparts.Inthefirst,Icallandasktheseladieswhethertheycomefromher,tellingthemthatIthinktheydo,becausetheyreturnthenobler.Inthesecond,Ipraythemtotellmeofher;andthesecondbeginshere,“Andifindeed.”
II.Canstthouindeedbehethatstillwouldsing
Ofourdearladyuntononebutus?
Forthoughthyvoiceconfirmsthatitisthus,
Thyvisagemightanotherwitnessbring.
Andwhereforeisthygriefsosoreathing
Thatgrievingthoumak’stothersdolorous?
Hastthoutooseenherweep,thatthoufromus
Canstnotconcealthineinwardsorrowing?
Nay,leaveourwoetous:letusalone:
’Tweresinifoneshouldstrivetosootheourwoe,
Forinherweepingwehaveheardherspeak:
Alsoherlook’ssofullofherheart’smoan
Thattheywhoshouldbeholdher,lookingso,
Mustfallaswoon,feelingalllifegrowweak.
Thissonnethasfourparts,astheladiesinwhosepersonIreplyhadfourformsofanswer.And,becausethesearesufficientlyshownabove,Istaynottoexplainthepurportoftheparts,andthereforeIonlydiscriminatethem.Thesecondbeginshere,“Andwhereforeisthygrief;”thethirdhere,“Nay,leaveourwoe;”thefourth,“Alsoherlook.”
Afewdaysafterthis,mybodybecameafflictedwithapainfulinfirmity,wherebyIsufferedbitteranguishformanydays,whichatlastbroughtmeuntosuchweaknessthatIcouldnolongermove.AndIrememberthatontheninthday,beingovercomewithintolerablepain,athoughtcameintomymindconcerningmylady:butwhenithadalittlenourishedthisthought,mymindreturnedtoitsbroodingovermineenfeebledbody.Andthenperceivinghowfrailathinglifeis,eventhoughhealthkeepwithit,thematterseemedtomesopitifulthatIcouldnotchoosebutweep;andweepingIsaidwithinmyself:“CertainlyitmustsometimecometopassthattheverygentleBeatricewilldie.”Then,feelingbewildered,Iclosedmineeyes;andmybrainbegantobeintravailasthebrainofonefrantic,andtohavesuchimaginationsasherefollow.Andatthefirst,itseemedtomethatIsawcertainfacesofwomenwiththeirhairloosened,whichcalledouttome,“Thoushaltsurelydie;”afterthewhich,otherterribleandunknownappearancessaiduntome,“Thouartdead.”Atlength,asmyphantasyheldoninitswanderings,IcametobeIknewnotwhere,andtobeholdathrongofdishevelledladieswonderfullysad,whokeptgoinghitherandthitherweeping.Thenthesunwentout,sothatthestarsshowedthemselves,andtheywereofsuchacolourthatIknewtheymustbeweeping:anditseemedtomethatthebirdsfelldeadoutofthesky,andthatthereweregreatearthquakes.Withthat,whileIwonderedinmytrance,andwasfilledwithagrievousfear,Iconceivedthatacertainfriendcameuntomeandsaid:“Hastthounotheard?Shethatwasthineexcellentladyhathbeentakenoutoflife.”ThenIbegantoweepverypiteously;andnotonlyinmineimagination,butwithmineeyes,whichwerewetwithtears.AndIseemedtolooktowardsHeaven,andtobeholdamultitudeofangelswhowerereturningupwards,havingbeforethemanexceedinglywhitecloud:andtheseangelsweresingingtogethergloriously,andthewordsoftheirsongwerethese:“Osannainexcelsis;”andtherewasnomorethatIheard.Thenmyheartthatwassofulloflovesaiduntome:“Itistruethatourladyliethdead;”anditseemedtomethatIwenttolookuponthebodywhereinthatblessedandmostnoblespirithadhaditsabiding-place.Andsostrongwasthisidleimagining,thatitmademetobeholdmyladyindeath;whoseheadcertainladiesseemedtobecoveringwithawhiteveil;andwhowassohumbleofheraspectthatitwasasthoughshehadsaid,“Ihaveattainedtolookonthebeginningofpeace.”AndtherewithalIcameuntosuchhumilitybythesightofher,thatIcriedoutuponDeath,saying:“Nowcomeuntome,andbenotbitteragainstmeanylonger:surely,therewherethouhastbeen,thouhastlearnedgentleness.Whereforecomenowuntomewhodogreatlydesirethee:seestthounotthatIwearthycolouralready?”AndwhenIhadseenallthoseofficesperformedthatarefittingtobedoneuntothedead,itseemedtomethatIwentbackuntomineownchamber,andlookeduptowardsHeaven.Andsostrongwasmyphantasy,thatIweptagaininverytruth,andsaidwithmytruevoice:“Oexcellentsoul!howblessedishethatnowlookethuponthee!”
AndasIsaidthesewords,withapainfulanguishofsobbingandanotherprayeruntoDeath,ayoungandgentlelady,whohadbeenstandingbesidemewhereIlay,conceivingthatIweptandcriedoutbecauseofthepainofmineinfirmity,wastakenwithtremblingandbegantoshedtears.Wherebyotherladies,whowereabouttheroom,becomingawareofmydiscomfortbyreasonofthemoanthatshemade,(whoindeedwasofmyverynear
kindred,)ledherawayfromwhereIwas,andthensetthemselvestoawakenme,thinkingthatIdreamed,andsaying:“Sleepnolonger,andbenotdisquieted.”
Then,bytheirwords,thisstrongimaginationwasbroughtsuddenlytoanend,atthemomentthatIwasabouttosay,“OBeatrice!peacebewiththee.”AndalreadyIhadsaid,“OBeatrice!”whenbeingaroused,Iopenedmineeyes,andknewthatithadbeenadeception.ButalbeitIhadindeedutteredhername,yetmyvoicewassobrokenwithsobs,thatitwasnotunderstoodbytheseladies;sothatinspiteofthesoreshamethatIfelt,IturnedtowardsthembyLove’scounselling.Andwhentheybeheldme,theybegantosay,“Heseemethasonedead,”andtowhisperamongthemselves,“Letusstriveifwemaynotcomforthim.”Whereupontheyspaketomemanysoothingwords,andquestionedmemoreovertouchingthecauseofmyfear.ThenI,beingsomewhatreassured,andhavingperceivedthatitwasamerephantasy,saiduntothem,“Thisthingitwasthatmademeafeard;”andtoldthemofallthatIhadseen,fromthebeginningevenuntotheend,butwithoutoncespeakingthenameofmylady.Also,afterIhadrecoveredfrommysickness,Ibethoughtmetowritethesethingsinrhyme;deemingitalovelythingtobeknown.WhereofIwrotethispoem:—
Averypitifullady,veryyoung,
Exceedingrichinhumansympathies,
Stoodby,whattimeIclamour’duponDeath;
Andatthewildwordswanderingonmytongue
Andatthepiteouslookwithinmineeyes
Shewasaffrighted,thatsobschokedherbreath.
SobyherweepingwhereIlaybeneath,
Someothergentleladiescametoknow
Mystate,andmadehergo:
Afterward,bendingthemselvesoverme,
Onesaid,“Awakenthee!”
Andone,“Whatthingthysleepdisquieteth?”
Withthat,mysoulwokeupfromitseclipse,
Thewhilemylady’snamerosetomylips:
Bututter’dinavoicesosob-broken,
Sofeeblewiththeagonyoftears,
ThatIalonemighthearitinmyheart;
Andthoughthatlookwasonmyvisagethen
Whichhewhoisashamedsoplainlywears,
LovemadethatIthroughshameheldnotapart,
Butgazeduponthem.Andmyhuewassuch
Thattheylook’dateachotherandthoughtofdeath;
Sayingundertheirbreath
Mosttenderly,“Oletuscomforthim:”
Thenuntome:“Whatdream
Wasthine,thatithathshakentheesomuch?”
AndwhenIwasalittlecomforted,
“This,ladies,wasthedreamIdreamt,”Isaid.
“Iwasa-thinkinghowlifefailswithus
Suddenlyaftersuchalittlewhile;
WhenLovesobb’dinmyheart,whichishishome.
Wherebymyspiritwax’dsodolorous
ThatinmyselfIsaid,withsickrecoil:
‘Yea,tomyladytoothisDeathmustcome.’
Andtherewithalsuchabewilderment
Possess’dme,thatIshutmineeyesforpeace;
Andinmybraindidcease
Orderofthought,andeveryhealthfulthing.
Afterwards,wandering
Amidaswarmofdoubtsthatcameandwent,
Somecertainwomen’sfaceshurriedby,
Andshriek’dtome,‘Thoutooshaltdie,shaltdie!’
“ThensawImanybrokenhintedsights
IntheuncertainstateIstepp’dinto.
Meseem’dtobeIknownotinwhatplace,
Whereladiesthroughthestreet,likemournfullights,
Ranwithloosehair,andeyesthatfrighten’dyou
Bytheirownterror,andapaleamaze:
Thewhile,littlebylittle,asIthought,
Thesunceased,andthestarsbegantogather,
Andeachweptattheother;
Andbirdsdropp’dinmid-flightoutofthesky;
Andearthshooksuddenly;
AndIwas’wareofone,hoarseandtiredout,
Whoask’dofme:‘Hastthounothearditsaid?…
Thylady,shethatwassofair,isdead.’
“Thenliftingupmineeyes,asthetearscame,
IsawtheAngels,likearainofmanna,
InalongflightflyingbackHeavenward;
Havingalittlecloudinfrontofthem,
Afterthewhichtheywentandsaid,‘Hosanna;’
Andiftheyhadsaidmore,youshouldhaveheard.
ThenLovesaid,‘Nowshallallthingsbemadeclear:
Comeandbeholdourladywhereshelies.’
These’wilderingphantasies
Thencarriedmetoseemyladydead.
EvenasItherewasled,
Herladieswithaveilwerecoveringher;
Andwithherwassuchveryhumbleness
Thatsheappearedtosay,‘Iamatpeace.’
“AndIbecamesohumbleinmygrief,
Seeinginhersuchdeephumility,
ThatIsaid:‘Death,Iholdtheepassinggood
Henceforth,andamostgentlesweetrelief,
Sincemydearlovehaschosentodwellwiththee:
Pity,nothate,isthine,wellunderstood.
Lo!Idosodesiretoseethyface
ThatIamlikeasonewhonearsthetomb;
Mysoulentreatsthee,Come.’
ThenIdeparted,havingmademymoan;
AndwhenIwasalone
Isaid,andcastmyeyestotheHighPlace:
‘Blessedishe,fairsoul,whomeetsthyglance!’
…Justthenyouwokeme,ofyourcomplaisaùnce.”
Thispoemhastwoparts.Inthefirst,speakingtoapersonundefined,ItellhowIwasarousedfromavainphantasybycertainladies,andhowIpromisedthemtotellwhatitwas.Inthesecond,IsayhowItoldthem.Thesecondpartbeginshere,“Iwasa-thinking.”Thefirstpartdividesintotwo.Inthefirst,Itellthatwhichcertainladies,andwhichonesingly,didandsaidbecauseofmyphantasy,beforeIhadreturnedintomyrightsenses.Inthesecond,ItellwhattheseladiessaidtomeafterIhadleftoffthiswandering:anditbeginshere,“Bututteredinavoice.”Then,whenIsay,“Iwasa-thinking,”IsayhowItoldthemthismyimagination;andconcerningthisIhavetwoparts.Inthefirst,Itell,inorder,thisimagination.Inthesecond,sayingatwhattimetheycalledme,Icovertlythankthem:andthispartbeginshere,“Justthenyouwokeme.”
Afterthisemptyimagining,ithappenedonaday,asIsatthoughtful,thatIwastakenwithsuchastrongtremblingattheheart,thatitcouldnothavebeenotherwiseinthepresenceofmylady.WhereuponIperceivedthattherewasanappearanceofLovebesideme,andIseemedtoseehimcomingfrommylady;andhesaid,notaloudbutwithinmyheart:“NowtakeheedthatthoublessthedaywhenIenteredintothee;foritisfittingthatthoushouldstdoso.”Andwiththatmyheartwassofullofgladness,thatIcouldhardlybelieveittobeofverytruthmineownheartandnotanother.
AshortwhileafterthesewordswhichmyheartspoketomewiththetongueofLove,Isawcomingtowardsmeacertainladywhowasveryfamousforherbeauty,andofwhomthatfriendwhomIhavealreadycalledthefirstamongmyfriendshadlongbeenenamoured.Thislady’srightnamewasJoan;butbecauseofhercomeliness(oratleastitwassoimagined)shewascalledofmanyPrimavera(Spring),andwentbythatnameamongthem.Thenlookingagain,IperceivedthatthemostnobleBeatricefollowedafterher.Andwhenboththeseladieshadpassedbyme,itseemedtomethatLovespakeagaininmyheart,saying:“ShethatcamefirstwascalledSpring,onlybecauseofthatwhichwastohappenonthisday.AnditwasImyselfwhocausedthatnametobegivenher;seeingthatastheSpringcomethfirstintheyear,soshouldshecomefirstonthisday,[21]whenBeatricewastoshowherselfafterthevisionofherservant.Andevenifthougoabouttoconsiderherrightname,itisalsoasoneshouldsay,‘Sheshallcomefirst;’inasmuchashername,Joan,istakenfromthatJohnwhowentbeforetheTrueLight,saying:‘Egovoxclamantisindeserto:ParateviamDomini.’”[22]Andalsoitseemedtomethatheaddedotherwords,towit:“Hewhoshouldinquiredelicatelytouchingthismatter,couldnotbutcallBeatricebymineownname,whichistosay,Love;beholdinghersolikeuntome.”
ThenI,havingthoughtofthis,imaginedtowriteitwithrhymesandsendituntomychieffriend;butsettingasidecertainwords[23]whichseemedpropertobesetaside,becauseIbelievedthathisheartstillregardedthebeautyofherthatwascalledSpring.
AndIwrotethissonnet:—
Ifeltaspiritoflovebegintostir
Withinmyheart,longtimeunfelttillthen;
AndsawLovecomingtowardsme,fairandfain
(ThatIscarceknewhimforhisjoyfulcheer),
Saying,“Benowindeedmyworshipper!”
Andinhisspeechhelaugh’dandlaugh’dagain.
Then,whileitwashispleasuretoremain,
Ichancedtolookthewayhehaddrawnnear,
AndsawtheLadiesJoanandBeatrice
Approachme,thistheotherfollowing,
Oneandasecondmarvelinstantly.
Andevenasnowmymemoryspeakeththis,
Lovespakeitthen:“Thefirstischristen’dSpring;
ThesecondLove,sheissoliketome.”
Thissonnethasmanyparts:whereofthefirsttellshowIfeltawakenedwithinmyhearttheaccustomedtremor,andhowitseemedthatLoveappearedtomejoyfulfromafar.ThesecondsayshowitappearedtomethatLovespakewithinmyheart,andwhatwashisaspect.Thethirdtellshow,afterhehadinsuchwisebeenwithmeaspace,Isawandheardcertainthings.Thesecondpartbeginshere,“Saying,‘Benow;’”thethirdhere,“Then,whileitwashispleasure.”Thethirdpartdividesintotwo.Inthefirst,IsaywhatIsaw.Inthesecond,IsaywhatIheard;anditbeginshere,“Lovespakeitthen.”
Itmightbehereobjecteduntome,(andevenbyoneworthyofcontroversy,)thatIhavespokenofLoveasthoughitwereathingoutwardandvisible:notonlyaspiritualessence,butasabodilysubstancealso.Thewhichthing,inabsolutetruth,isafallacy;Lovenotbeingofitselfasubstance,butanaccidentofsubstance.YetthatIspeakofLoveasthoughitwereathingtangibleandevenhuman,appearsbythreethingswhichIsaythereof.Andfirstly,IsaythatIperceivedLovecomingtowardsme;whereby,seeingthattocomebespeakslocomotion,andseeingalsohowphilosophyteachethusthatnonebutacorporealsubstancehathlocomotion,itseemeththatIspeakofLoveasofacorporealsubstance.Andsecondly,IsaythatLovesmiled:andthirdly,thatLovespake;faculties(andespeciallytherisiblefaculty)whichappearproperuntoman:wherebyitfurtherseemeththatIspeakofLoveasofaman.Nowthatthismattermaybeexplained(asisfitting),itmustfirstberememberedthatancientlytheywhowrotepoemsofLovewrotenotinthevulgartongue,butrathercertainpoetsintheLatintongue.Imean,amongus,althoughperchancethesamemayhavebeenamongothers,andalthoughlikewise,asamongtheGreeks,theywerenotwritersofspokenlanguage,butmenofletters,treatedofthesethings.[24]Andindeeditisnotagreatnumberofyearssincepoetrybegantobemadeinthevulgartongue;thewritingofrhymesinspokenlanguagecorrespondingtothe
writinginmetreofLatinverse,byacertainanalogy.AndIsaythatitisbutalittlewhile,becauseifweexaminethelanguageofocoandthelanguageofsì,[25]weshallnotfindinthosetonguesanywrittenthingofanearlierdatethanthelasthundredandfiftyyears.Alsothereasonwhycertainofaverymeansortobtainedatthefirstsomefameaspoetsis,thatbeforethemnomanhadwrittenversesinthelanguageofsì:andofthese,thefirstwasmovedtothewritingofsuchversesbythewishtomakehimselfunderstoodofacertainlady,untowhomLatinpoetrywasdifficult.Thisthingisagainstsuchasrhymeconcerningothermattersthanlove;thatmodeofspeechhavingbeenfirstusedfortheexpressionoflovealone.[26]Wherefore,seeingthatpoetshavealicenseallowedthemthatisnotalloweduntothewritersofprose,andseeingalsothattheywhowriteinrhymearesimplypoetsinthevulgartongue,itbecomesfittingandreasonablethatalargerlicenseshouldbegiventothesethantoothermodernwriters;andthatanymetaphororrhetoricalsimilitudewhichispermitteduntopoets,shouldalsobecountednotunseemlyintherhymersofthevulgartongue.Thus,ifweperceivethattheformerhavecausedinanimatethingstospeakasthoughtheyhadsenseandreason,andtodiscourseonewithanother;yea,andnotonlyactualthings,butsuchalsoashavenorealexistence,(seeingthattheyhavemadethingswhicharenot,tospeak;andoftentimeswrittenofthosewhicharemerelyaccidentsasthoughtheyweresubstancesandthingshuman);itshouldthereforebepermittedtothelattertodothelike;whichistosay,notinconsiderately,butwithsuchsufficientmotiveasmayafterwardsbesetforthinprose.
ThattheLatinpoetshavedonethus,appearsthroughVirgil,wherehesaiththatJuno(towit,agoddesshostiletotheTrojans)spakeuntoÆolus,masteroftheWinds;asitiswritteninthefirstbookoftheÆneid,Æole,namquetibi,etc.;andthatthismasteroftheWindsmadereply:Tuus,oregina,quidoptes—Explorarelabor,mihijussacapesserefasest.Andthroughthesamepoet,theinanimatethingspeakethuntotheanimate,inthethirdbookoftheÆneid,whereitiswritten:Dardanidæduri,etc.WithLucan,theanimatethingspeakethtotheinanimate;asthus:Multum,Roma,tamendebescivilibusarmis.InHorace,manismadetospeaktohisownintelligenceasuntoanotherperson;(andnotonlyhathHoracedonethis,buthereinhefolloweththeexcellentHomer),asthusinhisPoetics:Dicmihi,Musa,virum,etc.ThroughOvid,Lovespeakethasahumancreature,inthebeginningofhisdiscourseDeRemediisAmoris:asthus:Bellamihi,video,bellaparantur,ait.Bywhichensamplesthisthingshallbemademanifestuntosuchasmaybeoffendedatanypartofthismybook.Andlestsomeofthecommonsortshouldbemovedtojeeringhereat,Iwillhereadd,thatneitherdidtheseancientpoetsspeakthuswithoutconsideration,norshouldtheywhoaremakersofrhymeinourdaywriteafterthesamefashion,havingnoreasoninwhattheywrite;foritwereashamefulthingifoneshouldrhymeunderthesemblanceofmetaphororrhetoricalsimilitude,andafterwards,beingquestionedthereof,shouldbeunabletoridhiswordsofsuchsemblance,untotheirrightunderstanding.Ofwhom,(towit,ofsuchasrhymethusfoolishly,)myselfandthefirstamongmyfriendsdoknowmany.
Butreturningtothematterofmydiscourse.Thisexcellentlady,ofwhomIspakeinwhathathgonebefore,cameatlastintosuchfavourwithallmen,thatwhenshepassedanywherefolkrantobeholdher;whichthingwasadeepjoytome:andwhenshedrew
nearuntoany,somuchtruthandsimplenessenteredintohisheart,thathedaredneithertolifthiseyesnortoreturnhersalutation:anduntothis,manywhohavefeltitcanbearwitness.Shewentalongcrownedandclothedwithhumility,showingnowhitofprideinallthatsheheardandsaw:andwhenshehadgoneby,itwassaidofmany,“Thisisnotawoman,butoneofthebeautifulangelsofHeaven:”andthereweresomethatsaid:“Thisissurelyamiracle;blessedbetheLord,whohathpowertoworkthusmarvellously.”Isay,ofverysooth,thatsheshowedherselfsogentleandsofullofallperfection,thatshebredinthosewholookeduponherasoothingquietbeyondanyspeech;neithercouldanylookuponherwithoutsighingimmediately.Thesethings,andthingsyetmorewonderful,werebroughttopassthroughhermiraculousvirtue.WhereforeI,consideringthereofandwishingtoresumetheendlesstaleofherpraises,resolvedtowritesomewhatwhereinImightdwellonhersurpassinginfluence;totheendthatnotonlytheywhohadbeheldher,butothersalso,mightknowasmuchconcerningheraswordscouldgivetotheunderstanding.AnditwasthenthatIwrotethissonnet:—
Myladylookssogentleandsopure
Whenyieldingsalutationbytheway,
Thatthetonguetremblesandhasnoughttosay,
Andtheeyes,whichfainwouldsee,maynotendure.
Andstill,amidthepraiseshehearssecure,
Shewalkswithhumblenessforherarray;
SeemingacreaturesentfromHeaventostay
Onearth,andshowamiraclemadesure.
Sheissopleasantintheeyesofmen
Thatthroughthesighttheinmostheartdothgain
Asweetnesswhichneedsprooftoknowitby:
Andfrombetweenherlipsthereseemstomove
Asoothingessencethatisfulloflove,
Sayingforevertothespirit,“Sigh!”
Thissonnetissoeasytounderstand,fromwhatisaforenarrated,thatitneedsnodivision;andtherefore,leavingit,Isayalsothatthisexcellentladycameintosuchfavourwithallmen,thatnotonlysheherselfwashonouredandcommended,butthroughhercompanionship,honourandcommendationcameuntoothers.WhereforeI,perceivingthis,andwishingthatitshouldalsobemademanifesttothosethatbehelditnot,wrotethesonnetherefollowing;whereinissignifiedthepowerwhichhervirtuehaduponotherladies:—
Forcertainhehathseenallperfectness
Whoamongotherladieshathseenmine:
Theythatgowithherhumblyshouldcombine
TothanktheirGodforsuchpeculiargrace.
Soperfectisthebeautyofherface
Thatitbegetsinnowiseanysign
Ofenvy,butdrawsroundheraclearline
Oflove,andblessedfaith,andgentleness.
Merelythesightofhermakesallthingsbow:
Notsheherselfaloneisholier
Thanall;buthers,throughher,areraisedabove.
Fromallheractssuchlovelygracesflow
Thattrulyonemayneverthinkofher
Withoutapassionofexceedinglove.
Thissonnethasthreeparts.Inthefirst,Isayinwhatcompanythisladyappearedmostwondrous.Inthesecond,Isayhowgraciouswashersociety.Inthethird,Itellofthethingswhichshe,withpower,workeduponothers.Thesecondbeginshere,“Theythatgowithher;”thethirdhere,“Soperfect.”Thislastpartdividesintothree.Inthefirst,Itellwhatsheoperateduponwomen,thatis,bytheirownfaculties.Inthesecond,Itellwhatsheoperatedinthemthroughothers.Inthethird,Isayhowshenotonlyoperatedinwomen,butinallpeople;andnotonlywhileherselfpresent,but,bymemoryofher,operatedwondrously.Thesecondbeginshere,“Merelythesight;”thethirdhere,“Fromallheracts.”
Thereafteronaday,IbegantoconsiderthatwhichIhadsaidofmylady:towit,inthesetwosonnetsaforegone:andbecomingawarethatIhadnotspokenofherimmediateeffectonmeatthatespecialtime,itseemedtomethatIhadspokendefectively.WhereuponIresolvedtowritesomewhatofthemannerwhereinIwasthensubjecttoherinfluence,andofwhatherinfluencethenwas.AndconceivingthatIshouldnotbeabletosaythesethingsinthesmallcompassofasonnet,Ibeganthereforeapoemwiththisbeginning:—
Lovehathsolongpossessedmeforhisown
Andmadehislordshipsofamiliar
Thathe,whoatfirstirkedme,isnowgrown
Untomyheartasitsbestsecretsare.
Andthus,whenheinsuchsorewisedothmar
Mylifethatallitsstrengthseemsgonefromit,
Mineinmostbeingthenfeelsthroughlyquit
Ofanguish,andallevilkeepsafar.
Lovealsogatherstosuchpowerinme
Thatmysighsspeak,eachoneagrievousthing,
Alwayssoliciting
Mylady’ssalutationpiteously.
Whenevershebeholdsme,itisso,
Whoismoresweetthananywordscanshow.
* * * * * *
* * * * * *
Quomodosedetsolacivitasplenapopulo!factaestquasividuadominagentium![27]
Iwasstilloccupiedwiththispoem,(havingcomposedthereofonlytheabove-writtenstanza,)whentheLordGodofjusticecalledmymostgraciousladyuntoHimself,thatshemightbegloriousunderthebannerofthatblessedQueenMary,whosenamehadalwaysadeepreverenceinthewordsofholyBeatrice.AndbecausehaplyitmightbefoundgoodthatIshouldsaysomewhatconcerningherdeparture,IwillhereindeclarewhatarethereasonswhichmakethatIshallnotdoso.
Andthereasonsarethree.Thefirstis,thatsuchmatterbelongethnotofrighttothepresentargument,ifoneconsidertheopeningofthislittlebook.Thesecondis,thateventhoughthepresentargumentrequiredit,mypendothnotsufficetowriteinafitmannerofthisthing.Andthethirdis,thatwereitbothpossibleandofabsolutenecessity,itwouldstillbeunseemlyformetospeakthereof,seeingthattherebyitmustbehovemetospeakalsomineownpraises:athingthatinwhosoeverdoethitisworthyofblame.Forthewhichreasons,Iwillleavethismattertobetreatedofbysomeotherthanmyself.
Nevertheless,asthenumbernine,whichnumberhathoftenhadmentioninwhathathgonebefore,(andnot,asitmightappear,withoutreason,)seemsalsotohaveborneapartinthemannerofherdeath:itisthereforerightthatIshouldsaysomewhatthereof.Andforthiscause,havingfirstsaidwhatwasthepartitboreherein,Iwillafterwardspointoutareasonwhichmadethatthisnumberwassocloselyallieduntomylady.
Isay,then,thataccordingtothedivisionoftimeinItaly,hermostnoblespiritdepartedfromamongusinthefirsthouroftheninthdayofthemonth;andaccordingtothedivisionoftimeinSyria,intheninthmonthoftheyear:seeingthatTismim,whichwithusisOctober,istherethefirstmonth.Alsoshewastakenfromamongusinthatyearofourreckoning(towit,oftheyearsofourLord)inwhichtheperfectnumberwasninetimesmultipliedwithinthatcenturywhereinshewasbornintotheworld:whichistosay,thethirteenthcenturyofChristians.[28]
Andtouchingthereasonwhythisnumberwassocloselyallieduntoher,itmayperadventurebethis.AccordingtoPtolemy(andalsototheChristianverity),therevolvingheavensarenine;andaccordingtothecommonopinionamongastrologers,thesenineheavenstogetherhaveinfluenceovertheearth.Whereforeitwouldappearthatthisnumberwasthusallieduntoherforthepurposeofsignifyingthat,atherbirth,all
thesenineheavenswereatperfectunitywitheachotherastotheirinfluence.Thisisonereasonthatmaybebrought:butmorenarrowlyconsidering,andaccordingtotheinfallibletruth,thisnumberwasherownself:thatistosay,bysimilitude.Asthus.Thenumberthreeistherootofthenumbernine;seeingthatwithouttheinterpositionofanyothernumber,beingmultipliedmerelybyitself,itproducethnine,aswemanifestlyperceivethatthreetimesthreearenine.Thus,threebeingofitselftheefficientofnine,andtheGreatEfficientofMiraclesbeingofHimselfThreePersons(towit:theFather,theSon,andtheHolySpirit),which,beingThree,arealsoOne:—thisladywasaccompaniedbythenumberninetotheendthatmenmightclearlyperceivehertobeanine,thatis,amiracle,whoseonlyrootistheHolyTrinity.Itmaybethatamoresubtilepersonwouldfindforthisthingareasonofgreatersubtilty:butsuchisthereasonthatIfind,andthatlikethmebest.
Afterthismostgraciouscreaturehadgoneoutfromamongus,thewholecitycametobeasitwerewidowedanddespoiledofalldignity.ThenI,leftmourninginthisdesolatecity,wroteuntotheprincipalpersonsthereof,inanepistle,concerningitscondition;takingformycommencementthosewordsofJeremias:Quomodosedetsolacivitas!etc.AndImakementionofthis,thatnonemaymarvelwhereforeIsetdownthesewordsbefore,inbeginningtotreatofherdeath.Alsoifanyshouldblameme,inthatIdonottranscribethatepistlewhereofIhavespoken,IwillmakeitmineexcusethatIbeganthislittlebookwiththeintentthatitshouldbewrittenaltogetherinthevulgartongue;wherefore,seeingthattheepistleIspeakofisinLatin,itbelongethnottomineundertaking:moreespeciallyasIknowthatmychieffriend,forwhomIwritethisbook,wishedalsothatthewholeofitshouldbeinthevulgartongue.
Whenmineeyeshadweptforsomewhile,untiltheyweresowearywithweepingthatIcouldnolongerthroughthemgiveeasetomysorrow,Ibethoughtmethatafewmournfulwordsmightstandmeinsteadoftears.AndthereforeIproposedtomakeapoem,thatweepingImightspeakthereinofherforwhomsomuchsorrowhaddestroyedmyspirit;andIthenbegan“Theeyesthatweep.”
Thatthispoemmayseemtoremainthemorewidowedatitsclose,Iwilldivideitbeforewritingit;andthismethodIwillobservehenceforward.Isaythatthispoorlittlepoemhasthreeparts.Thefirstisaprelude.Inthesecond,Ispeakofher.Inthethird,Ispeakpitifullytothepoem.Thesecondbeginshere,“Beatriceisgoneup;”thethirdhere,“Weep,pitifulSongofmine.”Thefirstdividesintothree.Inthefirst,Isaywhatmovesmetospeak.Inthesecond,IsaytowhomImeantospeak.Inthethird,IsayofwhomImeantospeak.Thesecondbeginshere,“Andbecauseoften,thinking;”thethirdhere,“AndIwillsay.”Then,whenIsay,“Beatriceisgoneup,”Ispeakofher;andconcerningthisIhavetwoparts.First,Itellthecausewhyshewastakenawayfromus:afterwards,Isayhowoneweepsherparting;andthispartcommenceshere,“Wonderfully.”Thispartdividesintothree.Inthefirst,Isaywhoitisthatweepshernot.Inthesecond,Isaywhoitisthatdothweepher.Inthethird,Ispeakofmycondition.Thesecondbeginshere,“Butsighingcomes,andgrief;”thethird,“Withsighs.”Then,whenIsay,“Weep,pitifulSongofmine,”Ispeaktothismysong,tellingitwhatladiestogoto,andstaywith.
Theeyesthatweepforpityoftheheart
Haveweptsolongthattheirgrieflanguisheth,
Andtheyhavenomoretearstoweepwithal:
Andnow,ifIwouldeasemeofapart
Ofwhat,littlebylittle,leadstodeath,
Itmustbedonebyspeech,ornotatall.
Andbecauseoften,thinking,Irecall
Howitwaspleasant,ereshewentafar,
Totalkofherwithyou,kinddamozels,
Italkwithnooneelse,
Butonlywithsuchheartsaswomen’sare.
AndIwillsay,—stillsobbingasspeechfails,—
ThatshehathgonetoHeavensuddenly,
AndhathleftLovebelow,tomournwithme.
BeatriceisgoneupintohighHeaven,
Thekingdomwheretheangelsareatpeace;
Andliveswiththem;andtoherfriendsisdead.
Notbythefrostofwinterwasshedriven
Away,likeothers;norbysummer-heats;
Butthroughaperfectgentleness,instead.
Forfromthelampofhermeeklowlihead
Suchanexceedingglorywentuphence
ThatitwokewonderintheEternalSire,
Untilasweetdesire
EnteredHimforthatlovelyexcellence,
SothatHebadehertoHimselfaspire;
Countingthiswearyandmostevilplace
Unworthyofathingsofullofgrace.
Wonderfullyoutofthebeautifulform
Soaredherclearspirit,waxinggladthewhile;
Andisinitsfirsthome,therewhereitis.
Whospeaksthereof,andfeelsnotthetearswarm
Uponhisface,musthavebecomesovile
Astobedeadtoallsweetsympathies.
Outuponhim!anabjectwretchlikethis
Maynotimagineanythingofher,—
Heneedsnobittertearsforhisrelief.
Butsighingcomes,andgrief,
Andthedesiretofindnocomforter,
(SaveonlyDeath,whomakesallsorrowbrief),
Tohimwhoforawhileturnsinhisthought
Howshehathbeenamongus,andisnot.
Withsighsmybosomalwayslaboureth
Inthinking,asIdocontinually,
Ofherforwhommyheartnowbreaksapace;
AndveryoftenwhenIthinkofdeath,
Suchagreatinwardlongingcomestome
Thatitwillchangethecolourofmyface;
And,iftheideasettlesinitsplace,
Allmylimbsshakeaswithanague-fit:
Till,startingupinwildbewilderment,
Idobecomesoshent
ThatIgoforth,lestfolkmisdoubtofit.
Afterward,callingwithasorelament
OnBeatrice,Iask,“Canstthoubedead?”
Andcallingonher,Iamcomforted.
Griefwithitstears,andanguishwithitssighs,
Cometomenowwhene’erIamalone;
SothatIthinkthesightofmegivespain.
Andwhatmylifehathbeen,thatlivingdies,
SinceformyladytheNewBirth’sbegun,
Ihavenotanylanguagetoexplain.
Andso,dearladies,thoughmyheartwerefain,
IscarcecouldtellindeedhowIamthus.
Alljoyiswithmybitterlifeatwar;
Yea,Iamfallensofar
Thatallmenseemtosay,“Gooutfromus,”
Eyeingmycoldwhitelips,howdeadtheyare.
Butshe,thoughIbeboweduntothedust,
Watchesme;andwillguerdonme,Itrust.
Weep,pitifulSongofmine,uponthyway,
Tothedamesgoingandthedamozels
Forwhomandfornoneelse
Thysistershavemademusicmanyaday.
Thou,thatartverysadandnotasthey,
Godwellthouwiththemasamournerdwells.
AfterIhadwrittenthispoem,IreceivedthevisitofafriendwhomIcountedasseconduntomeinthedegreesoffriendship,andwho,moreover,hadbeenunitedbythenearestkindredtothatmostgraciouscreature.Andwhenwehadalittlespokentogether,hebegantosolicitmethatIwouldwritesomewhatinmemoryofaladywhohaddied;andhedisguisedhisspeech,soastoseemtobespeakingofanotherwhowasbutlatelydead:whereforeI,perceivingthathisspeechwasofnoneotherthanthatblessedoneherself,toldhimthatitshouldbedoneasherequired.Thenafterwards,havingthoughtthereof,Iimaginedtogiveventinasonnettosomepartofmyhiddenlamentations;butinsuchsortthatitmightseemtobespokenbythisfriendofmine,towhomIwastogiveit.Andthesonnetsaiththus:“Staynowwithme,”etc.
Thissonnethastwoparts.Inthefirst,IcalltheFaithfulofLovetohearme.Inthesecond,Irelatemymiserablecondition.Thesecondbeginshere,“Markhowtheyforce.”
Staynowwithme,andlistentomysighs,
Yepiteoushearts,aspitybidsyedo.
Markhowtheyforcetheirwayoutandpressthrough;
Iftheybeoncepentup,thewholelifedies.
Seeingthatnowindeedmywearyeyes
OftenerrefusethanIcantelltoyou
(Eventhoughmyendlessgriefisevernew),
Toweepandletthesmotheredanguishrise.
Alsoinsighingyeshallhearmecall
Onherwhoseblessèdpresencedothenrich
Theonlyhomethatwellbefittethher:
Andyeshallhearabitterscornofall
Sentfromtheinmostofmyspiritinspeech
Thatmournsitsjoyanditsjoy’sminister.
ButwhenIhadwrittenthissonnet,bethinkingmewhohewastowhomIwastogiveit,thatitmightappeartobehisspeech,itseemedtomethatthiswasbutapoorandbarrengiftforoneofhersonearkindred.Wherefore,beforegivinghimthissonnet,Iwrotetwostanzasofapoem:thefirstbeingwritteninverysoothasthoughitwerespokenbyhim,buttheotherbeingmineownspeech,albeit,untoonewhoshouldnotlookclosely,theywouldbothseemtobesaidbythesameperson.Nevertheless,lookingclosely,onemustperceivethatitisnotso,inasmuchasonedoesnotcallthismostgraciouscreaturehislady,andtheotherdoes,asismanifestlyapparent.AndIgavethepoemandthesonnetuntomyfriend,sayingthatIhadmadethemonlyforhim.
Thepoembegins,“Whateverwhile,”andhastwoparts.Inthefirst,thatis,inthefirststanza,thismydearfriend,herkinsman,laments.Inthesecond,Ilament;thatis,intheotherstanza,whichbegins,“Forever.”Andthusitappearsthatinthispoemtwopersonslament,ofwhomonelamentsasabrother,theotherasaservant.
Whateverwhilethethoughtcomesoverme
ThatImaynotagain
BeholdthatladywhomImournfornow,
Aboutmyheartmymindbringsconstantly
Somuchofextremepain
ThatIsay,Soulofmine,whystayestthou?
Trulytheanguish,Soul,thatwemustbow
Beneath,untilwewinoutofthislife,
Givesmefulloftafearthattrembleth:
SothatIcallonDeath
EvenasonSleeponecallethafterstrife,
Saying,Comeuntome.Lifeshowethgrim
Andbare;andifonedies,Ienvyhim.
Forever,amongallmysighswhichburn,
Thereisapiteousspeech
Thatclamoursupondeathcontinually:
Yea,untohimdothmywholespiritturn
Sincefirsthishanddidreach
Mylady’slifewithmostfoulcruelty.
Butfromtheheightofwoman’sfairness,she,
Goingupfromuswiththejoywehad,
Grewperfectlyandspirituallyfair;
Thatsoshespreadseventhere
AlightofLovewhichmakestheAngelsglad,
Andevenuntotheirsubtlemindscanbring
Acertainaweofprofoundmarvelling.
Onthatdaywhichfulfilledtheyearsincemyladyhadbeenmadeofthecitizensofeternallife,rememberingmeofherasIsatalone,Ibetookmyselftodrawtheresemblanceofanangeluponcertaintablets.AndwhileIdidthus,chancingtoturnmyhead,IperceivedthatsomewerestandingbesidemetowhomIshouldhavegivencourteouswelcome,andthattheywereobservingwhatIdid:alsoIlearnedafterwardsthattheyhadbeenthereawhilebeforeIperceivedthem.Perceivingwhom,Iaroseforsalutation,andsaid:“Anotherwaswithme.”[29]
Afterwards,whentheyhadleftme,Isetmyselfagaintomineoccupation,towit,tothedrawingfiguresofangels:indoingwhich,Iconceivedtowriteofthismatterinrhyme,asforheranniversary,andtoaddressmyrhymesuntothosewhohadjustleftme.ItwasthenthatIwrotethesonnetwhichsaith,“Thatlady;”andasthissonnethathtwocommencements,itbehovethmetodivideitwithbothofthemhere.
Isaythat,accordingtothefirst,thissonnethasthreeparts.Inthefirst,Isaythatthisladywastheninmymemory.Inthesecond,ItellwhatLovethereforedidwithme.Inthethird,IspeakoftheeffectsofLove.Thesecondbeginshere,“Loveknowing;”thethirdhere,“Forthwentthey.”Thispartdividesintotwo.Intheone,Isaythatallmysighsissuedspeaking.Intheother,Isayhowsomespokecertainwordsdifferentfromtheothers.Thesecondbeginshere,“Andstill.”Inthissamemannerisitdividedwiththeotherbeginning,savethat,inthefirstpart,Itellwhenthisladyhadthuscomeintomymind,andthisIsaynotintheother.
Thatladyofallgentlememories
Hadlightedonmysoul;—whosenewabode
Liesnow,asitwaswellordainedofGod,
Amongthepoorinheart,whereMaryis.
Love,knowingthatdearimagetobehis,
Wokeupwithinthesickheartsorrow-bow’d,
Untothesighswhichareitswearyload
Saying,“Goforth.”Andtheywentforth,Iwis;
Forthwenttheyfrommybreastthatthrobbedandached;
Withsuchapangasoftentimeswillbathe
MineeyeswithtearswhenIamleftalone.
Andstillthosesighswhichdrewtheheaviestbreath
Camewhisperingthus:“Onobleintellect!
Itisayearto-daythatthouartgone.”
SECONDCOMMENCEMENT.Thatladyofallgentlememories
Hadlightedonmysoul;—forwhosesakeflow’d
ThetearsofLove;inwhomthepowerabode
WhichledyoutoobservewhileIdidthis.
Love,knowingthatdearimagetobehis,etc.
Then,havingsatforsomespacesorelyinthoughtbecauseofthetimethatwasnowpast,Iwassofilledwithdolorousimaginingsthatitbecameoutwardlymanifestinminealteredcountenance.Whereupon,feelingthisandbeingindreadlestanyshouldhaveseenme,Iliftedmineeyestolook;andthenperceivedayoungandverybeautifullady,whowasgazinguponmefromawindowwithagazefullofpity,sothattheverysumofpityappearedgatheredtogetherinher.Andseeingthatunhappypersons,whentheybegetcompassioninothers,arethenmostmoveduntoweeping,asthoughtheyalsofeltpityforthemselves,itcametopassthatmineeyesbegantobeinclineduntotears.Wherefore,becomingfearfullestIshouldmakemanifestmineabjectcondition,Iroseup,andwentwhereIcouldnotbeseenofthatlady;sayingafterwardswithinmyself:“CertainlywithheralsomustabidemostnobleLove.”Andwiththat,Iresolveduponwritingasonnet,wherein,speakinguntoher,IshouldsayallthatIhavejustsaid.Andasthissonnetisveryevident,Iwillnotdivideit:—
Mineeyesbeheldtheblessedpityspring
Intothycountenanceimmediately
Awhileagone,whenthoubeheldstinme
Thesicknessonlyhiddengriefcanbring;
AndthenIknewthouwastconsidering
Howabjectandforlornmylifemustbe;
AndIbecameafraidthatthoushouldstsee
Myweeping,andaccountitabasething.
ThereforeIwentoutfromthee;feelinghow
Thetearswerestraightwayloosenedatmyheart
Beneaththineeyes’compassionatecontrol.
AndafterwardsIsaidwithinmysoul:
“Lo!withthisladydwellsthecounterpart
OfthesameLovewhoholdsmeweepingnow.”
Ithappenedafterthis,thatwhensoeverIwasseenofthislady,shebecamepaleandofapiteouscountenance,asthoughithadbeenwithlove;wherebysherememberedmemanytimesofmyownmostnoblelady,whowaswonttobeofalikepaleness.AndIknowthatoften,whenIcouldnotweepnorinanywaygiveeaseuntomineanguish,Iwenttolookuponthislady,whoseemedtobringthetearsintomyeyesbythemeresightofher.OfthewhichthingIbethoughtmetospeakuntoherinrhyme,andthenmadethissonnet:whichbegins,“Love’spallor,”andwhichisplainwithoutbeingdivided,byitsexpositionaforesaid:—
Love’spallorandthesemblanceofdeepruth
Wereneveryetshownforthsoperfectly
Inanylady’sface,chancingtosee
Grief’smiserablecountenanceuncouth,
Asinthine,lady,theyhavesprungtosoothe,
Wheninmineanguishthouhastlookedonme;
Untilsometimesitseemsasif,throughthee,
Myheartmightalmostwanderfromitstruth.
Yetsoitis,Icannotholdmineeyes
Fromgazingveryoftenuponthine
Inthesorehopetoshedthosetearstheykeep;
Andatsuchtime,thoumak’stthepenttearsrise
Eventothebrim,tilltheeyeswasteandpine;
Yetcannotthey,whilethouartpresent,weep.
Atlength,bytheconstantsightofthislady,mineeyesbegantobegladdenedovermuchwithhercompany;throughwhichthingmanytimesIhadmuchunrest,andrebukedmyselfasabaseperson:also,manytimesIcursedtheunsteadfastnessofmineeyes,andsaidtotheminwardly:“Wasnotyourgrievousconditionofweepingwontonewhiletomakeothersweep?Andwillyenowforgetthisthingbecausealadylookethuponyou?whosolookethmerelyincompassionofthegriefyethenshowedforyourownblessedlady.Butwhatsoyecan,thatdoye,accursedeyes!manyatimewillImakeyou
rememberit!fornever,tilldeathdryyouup,shouldyemakeanendofyourweeping.”AndwhenIhadspokenthusuntomineeyes,Iwastakenagainwithextremeandgrievoussighing.AndtotheendthatthisinwardstrifewhichIhadundergonemightnotbehiddenfromallsavingthemiserablewretchwhoenduredit,Iproposedtowriteasonnet,andtocomprehendinitthishorriblecondition.AndIwrotethiswhichbegins,“Theverybitterweeping.”
Thesonnethastwoparts.Inthefirst,Ispeaktomyeyes,asmyheartspokewithinmyself.Inthesecond,Iremoveadifficulty,showingwhoitisthatspeaksthus:andthispartbeginshere,“Sofar.”Itwellmightreceiveotherdivisionsalso;butthiswouldbeuseless,sinceitismanifestbytheprecedingexposition.
“Theverybitterweepingthatyemade
Solongatimetogether,eyesofmine,
Waswonttomakethetearsofpityshine
Inothereyesfulloft,asIhavesaid.
Butnowthisthingwerescarcerememberèd
IfI,onmypart,foullywouldcombine
Withyou,andnotrecalleachancientsign
Ofgrief,andherforwhomyourtearswereshed
Itisyourficklenessthatdothbetray
Mymindtofears,andmakesmetremblethus
Whatwhilealadygreetsmewithhereyes.
Exceptbydeath,wemustnotanyway
Forgetourladywhoisgonefromus.”
Sofardothmyheartutter,andthensighs.
ThesightofthisladybroughtmeintosounwontedaconditionthatIoftenthoughtofherasofonetoodearuntome;andIbegantoconsiderherthus:“Thisladyisyoung,beautiful,gentle,andwise;perchanceitwasLovehimselfwhosetherinmypath,thatsomylifemightfindpeace.”AndthereweretimeswhenIthoughtyetmorefondly,untilmyheartconsenteduntoitsreasoning.Butwhenithadsoconsented,mythoughtwouldoftenturnrounduponme,asmovedbyreason,andcausemetosaywithinmyself:“Whathopeisthiswhichwouldconsolemeaftersobaseafashion,andwhichhathtakentheplaceofallotherimagining?”Alsotherewasanothervoicewithinme,thatsaid:“Andwiltthou,havingsufferedsomuchtribulationthroughLove,notescapewhileyetthoumaystfromsomuchbitterness?ThoumustsurelyknowthatthisthoughtcarrieswithitthedesireofLove,anddrewitslifefromthegentleeyesofthatladywhovouchsafedtheesomuchpity.”WhereforeI,havingstrivensorelyandveryoftenwithmyself,bethoughtmetosaysomewhatthereofinrhyme.Andseeingthatinthebattleofdoubts,thevictorymostoften
remainedwithsuchasinclinedtowardstheladyofwhomIspeak,itseemedtomethatIshouldaddressthissonnetuntoher:inthefirstlinewhereof,Icallthatthoughtwhichspakeofheragentlethought,onlybecauseitspokeofonewhowasgentle;beingofitselfmostvile.[30]
InthissonnetImakemyselfintotwo,accordingasmythoughtsweredivided,onefromtheother.TheonepartIcallHeart,thatis,appetite;theother,Soul,thatis,reason;andItellwhatonesaithtotheother.AndthatitisfittingtocalltheappetiteHeart,andthereasonSoul,ismanifestenoughtothemtowhomIwishthistobeopen.Trueitisthat,intheprecedingsonnet,ItakethepartoftheHeartagainsttheEyes;andthatappearscontrarytowhatIsayinthepresent;andthereforeIsaythat,therealso,bytheHeartImeanappetite,becauseyetgreaterwasmydesiretoremembermymostgentleladythantoseethisother,althoughindeedIhadsomeappetitetowardsher,butitappearedslight:wherefromitappearsthattheonestatementisnotcontrarytotheother.Thissonnethasthreeparts.Inthefirst,Ibegintosaytothisladyhowmydesiresturnalltowardsher.Inthesecond,IsayhowtheSoul,thatis,thereason,speakstotheHeart,thatis,totheappetite.Inthethird,Isayhowthelatteranswers.Thesecondbeginshere,“Andwhatisthis?”thethirdhere,“Andtheheartanswers.”
Agentlethoughtthereiswilloftenstart,
Withinmysecretself,tospeechofthee:
AlsoofLoveitspeakssotenderly
Thatmuchinmeconsentsandtakesitspart.
“Andwhatisthis,”thesoulsaithtotheheart,
“Thatcomeththustocomforttheeandme,
Andthencewhereitwoulddwell,thuspotently
Candriveallotherthoughtsbyitsstrangeart?”
Andtheheartanswers:“Benomoreatstrife
’Twixtdoubtanddoubt:thisisLove’smessenger
Andspeakethbuthiswords,fromhimreceived;
Andallthestrengthitownsandallthelife
Itdrawethfromthegentleeyesofher
Who,lookingonourgrief,hathoftengrieved.”
Butagainstthisadversaryofreason,thereroseupinmeonacertainday,abouttheninthhour,astrongvisiblephantasy,whereinIseemedtobeholdthemostgraciousBeatrice,habitedinthatcrimsonraimentwhichshehadwornwhenIhadfirstbeheldher;alsosheappearedtomeofthesametenderageasthen.WhereuponIfellintoadeepthoughtofher:andmymemoryranback,accordingtotheorderoftime,untoallthosemattersinthewhichshehadborneapart;andmyheartbeganpainfullytorepentofthedesirebywhich
ithadsobaselyletitselfbepossessedduringsomanydays,contrarytotheconstancyofreason.
Andthen,thisevildesirebeingquitegonefromme,allmythoughtsturnedagainuntotheirexcellentBeatrice.AndIsaymosttrulythatfromthathourIthoughtconstantlyofherwiththewholehumbledandashamedheart;thewhichbecameoftenmanifestinsighs,thathadamongthemthenameofthatmostgraciouscreature,andhowshedepartedfromus.Alsoitwouldcometopassveryoften,throughthebitteranguishofsomeonethought,thatIforgotbothit,andmyself,andwhereIwas.Bythisincreaseofsighs,myweeping,whichbeforehadbeensomewhatlessened,increasedinlikemanner;sothatmineeyesseemedtolongonlyfortearsandtocherishthem,andcameatlasttobecircledaboutwithredasthoughtheyhadsufferedmartyrdom:neitherweretheyabletolookagainuponthebeautyofanyfacethatmightagainbringthemtoshameandevil:fromwhichthingsitwillappearthattheywerefitlyguerdonedfortheirunsteadfastness.WhereforeI,(wishingthatmineabandonmentofallsuchevildesiresandvaintemptationsshouldbecertifiedandmademanifest,beyondalldoubtswhichmighthavebeensuggestedbytherhymesaforewritten)proposedtowriteasonnetwhereinIshouldexpressthispurport.AndIthenwrote,“Woe’sme!”
Isaid,“Woe’sme!”becauseIwasashamedofthetriflingofmineeyes.ThissonnetIdonotdivide,sinceitspurportismanifestenough.
Woe’sme!bydintofallthesesighsthatcome
Forthofmyheart,itsendlessgrieftoprove,
Mineeyesareconquered,sothateventomove
Theirlidsforgreetingisgrowntroublesome.
Theyweptsolongthatnowtheyaregrief’shome,
Andcounttheirtearsalllaughterfarabove:
TheywepttilltheyarecirclednowbyLove
Witharedcircleinsignofmartyrdom.
Thesemusings,andthesighstheybringfromme,
Aregrownatlastsoconstantandsosore
Thatloveswoonsinmyspiritwithfaintbreath;
Hearinginthosesadsoundscontinually
Themostsweetnamethatmydeadladybore,
Withmanygrievouswordstouchingherdeath.
Aboutthistime,ithappenedthatagreatnumberofpersonsundertookapilgrimage,totheendthattheymightbeholdthatblessedportraiturebequeatheduntousbyourLordJesusChristastheimageofHisbeautifulcountenance,[31](uponwhichcountenancemydearladynowlookethcontinually).Andcertainamongthesepilgrims,whoseemedvery
thoughtful,passedbyapathwhichiswell-nighinthemidstofthecitywheremymostgraciousladywasborn,andabode,andatlastdied.
ThenI,beholdingthem,saidwithinmyself:“Thesepilgrimsseemtobecomefromveryfar;andIthinktheycannothaveheardspeakofthislady,orknowanythingconcerningher.Theirthoughtsarenotofher,butofotherthings;itmaybe,oftheirfriendswhoarefardistant,andwhomwe,inourturn,knownot.”AndIwentontosay:“Iknowthatiftheywereofacountrynearuntous,theywouldinsomewiseseemdisturbed,passingthroughthiscitywhichissofullofgrief.”AndIsaidalso:“IfIcouldspeakwiththemaspace,IamcertainthatIshouldmakethemweepbeforetheywentforthofthiscity;forthosethingsthattheywouldhearfrommemustneedsbegetweepinginany.”
Andwhenthelastofthemhadgonebyme,Ibethoughtmetowriteasonnet,showingforthmineinwardspeech;andthatitmightseemthemorepitiful,ImadeasthoughIhadspokenitindeeduntothem.AndIwrotethissonnet,whichbeginneth:“Yepilgrim-folk.”Imadeuseofthewordpilgrimforitsgeneralsignification;for“pilgrim”maybeunderstoodintwosenses,onegeneral,andonespecial.General,sofarasanymanmaybecalledapilgrimwholeaveththeplaceofhisbirth;whereas,morenarrowlyspeaking,heonlyisapilgrimwhogoethtowardsorfrowardstheHouseofSt.James.FortherearethreeseparatedenominationsproperuntothosewhoundertakejourneystothegloryofGod.TheyarecalledPalmerswhogobeyondtheseaseastward,whenceoftentheybringpalm-branches.AndPilgrims,asIhavesaid,aretheywhojourneyuntotheholyHouseofGallicia;seeingthatnootherapostlewasburiedsofarfromhisbirthplaceaswastheblessedSaintJames.AndthereisathirdsortwhoarecalledRomers;inthattheygowhitherthesewhomIhavecalledpilgrimswent:whichistosay,untoRome.
Thissonnetisnotdivided,becauseitsownwordssufficientlydeclareit.
Yepilgrim-folk,advancingpensively
Asifinthoughtofdistantthings,Ipray,
Isyourownlandindeedsofaraway—
Asbyyouraspectitwouldseemtobe—
Thatthisourheavysorrowleavesyoufree
Thoughpassingthroughthemournfultownmidway;
Likeuntomenthatunderstandto-day
Nothingatallofhergreatmisery?
Yetifyewillbutstay,whomIaccost,
Andlistentomywordsalittlespace,
Atgoingyeshallmournwithaloudvoice.
ItisherBeatricethatshehathlost;
Ofwhomtheleastwordspokenholdssuchgrace
Thatmenweephearingit,andhavenochoice.
Awhileafterthesethings,twogentleladiessentuntome,prayingthatIwouldbestowuponthemcertainofthesemyrhymes.AndI(takingintoaccounttheirworthinessandconsideration)resolvedthatIwouldwritealsoanewthing,andsenditthemtogetherwiththoseothers,totheendthattheirwishesmightbemorehonourablyfulfilled.ThereforeImadeasonnet,whichnarratesmycondition,andwhichIcausedtobeconveyedtothem,accompaniedbytheonepreceding,andwiththatotherwhichbegins,“Staynowwithmeandlistentomysighs.”Andthenewsonnetis,“Beyondthesphere.”
Thissonnetcomprisesfiveparts.Inthefirst,Itellwhithermythoughtgoeth,namingtheplacebythenameofoneofitseffects.Inthesecond,Isaywhereforeitgoethup,andwhomakesitgothus.Inthethird,Itellwhatitsaw,namely,aladyhonoured.AndIthencallita“PilgrimSpirit,”becauseitgoesupspiritually,andlikeapilgrimwhoisoutofhisknowncountry.Inthefourth,Isayhowthespiritseeshersuch(thatis,insuchquality)thatIcannotunderstandher;thatistosay,mythoughtrisesintothequalityofherinadegreethatmyintellectcannotcomprehend,seeingthatourintellectis,towardsthoseblessedsouls,likeoureyeweakagainstthesun;andthisthePhilosophersaysintheSecondoftheMetaphysics.Inthefifth,Isaythat,althoughIcannotseetherewhithermythoughtcarriesme—thatis,toheradmirableessence—Iatleastunderstandthis,namely,thatitisathoughtofmylady,becauseIoftenhearhernametherein.And,attheendofthisfifthpart,Isay,“Ladiesmine,”toshowthattheyareladiestowhomIspeak.Thesecondpartbegins,“Anewperception;”thethird,“Whenithathreached;”thefourth,“Itseeshersuch;”thefifth,“AndyetIknow.”Itmightbedividedyetmorenicely,andmadeyetclearer;butthisdivisionmaypass,andthereforeIstaynottodivideitfurther.
Beyondthespherewhichspreadstowidestspace
Nowsoarsthesighthatmyheartsendsabove:
AnewperceptionbornofgrievingLove
Guidethitupwardtheuntroddenways.
Whenithathreacheduntotheend,andstays,
Itseesaladyroundwhomsplendoursmove
Inhomage;till,bythegreatlightthereof
Abashed,thepilgrimspiritstandsatgaze.
Itseeshersuch,thatwhenittellsmethis
Whichithathseen,Iunderstanditnot,
Ithathaspeechsosubtileandsofine.
AndyetIknowitsvoicewithinmythought
OftenrememberethmeofBeatrice:
SothatIunderstandit,ladiesmine.
Afterwritingthissonnet,itwasgivenuntometobeholdaverywonderfulvision:[32]whereinIsawthingswhichdeterminedmethatIwouldsaynothingfurtherofthismostblessedone,untilsuchtimeasIcoulddiscoursemoreworthilyconcerningher.AndtothisendIlabourallIcan;asshewellknoweth.WhereforeifitbeHispleasurethroughwhomisthelifeofallthings,thatmylifecontinuewithmeafewyears,itismyhopethatIshallyetwriteconcerningherwhathathnotbeforebeenwrittenofanywoman.Afterthewhich,mayitseemgooduntoHimwhoistheMasterofGrace,thatmyspiritshouldgohencetobeholdthegloryofitslady:towit,ofthatblessedBeatricewhonowgazethcontinuallyonHiscountenancequiestperomniasæculabenedictus.[33]LausDeo.
THEEND.
NOTES1.Gentile.Thewordmeans“noble”ratherthan(initsmodernshadeofmeaning)“gentle.”“Genteel”wouldsometimesapply,buthasceasedtobeadmissibleinseriouswriting.
2.“Purgatorio,”C.xxx.
3.Imusthazardhere(torelievethefirstpageofmytranslationfromalongnote)asuggestionastothemeaningofthemostpuzzlingpassageinthewholeVitaNuova,—thatsentencejustattheoutsetwhichsays,“Lagloriosadonnadellamiamente,laqualefùchiamatadamoltiBeatrice,iqualinonsapeanochesichiamare.”Onthispassageallthecommentatorsseemhelpless,turningitaboutandsometimesadoptingalterationsnottobefoundinanyancientmanuscriptofthework.Thewordsmeanliterally,“ThegloriousladyofmymindwhowascalledBeatricebymanywhoknewnothowshewascalled.”Thispresentstheobviousdifficultythatthelady’snamereallywasBeatrice,andthatDantethroughoutusesthatnamehimself.InthetextofmyversionIhaveadopted,asarendering,theoneofthevariouscompromiseswhichseemedtogivethemostbeautytothemeaning.ButitoccurstomethatalessirrationalescapeoutofthedifficultythananyIhaveseensuggestedmaypossiblybefoundbylinkingthispassagewiththecloseofthesonnetatpage104oftheVitaNuova,beginning,“Ifeltaspiritoflovebegintostir,”inthelastlineofwhichsonnetLoveismadetoassertthatthenameofBeatriceisLove.Danteappearstohavedweltonthisfancywithsomepleasure,fromwhatissaidinanearliersonnet(page39)about“Loveinhisproperform”(bywhichBeatriceseemstobemeant)bendingoveradeadlady.AnditisinconnectionwiththesonnetwherethenameofBeatriceissaidtobeLove,thatDante,asiftoshowusthattheLovehespeaksofisonlyhisownemotion,entersintoanargumentastoLovebeingmerelyanaccidentinsubstance,—inotherwords,“Amoreeilcorgentilsonunacosa.”Thisconjecturemaybepronouncedextravagant;buttheVitaNuova,whenexamined,provessofullofintricateandfantasticanalogies,eveninthemerearrangementofitsparts,(muchmorethanappearsonanybuttheclosestscrutiny,)thatitseemsadmissibletosuggestevenawhimsicalsolutionofadifficultywhichremainsunconquered.Ortohaverecoursetothemuchmorewelcomemeansofsolutionaffordedbysimpleinherentbeauty:maynotthemeaningbemerelythatanypersonlookingonsonobleandlovelyacreation,withoutknowledgeofhername,musthavespontaneouslycalledherBeatrice,—i.e.,thegiverofblessing?ThiswouldbeanalogousbyantithesistothetranslationIhaveadoptedinmytext.
4.“Herebeginneththenewlife.”
5.Inreferencetothemeaningofthename,“Shewhoconfersblessing.”WelearnfromBoccacciothatthisfirstmeetingtookplaceataMayFeast,givenintheyear1274byFolcoPortinari,fatherofBeatrice,whorankedamongtheprincipalcitizensofFlorence:towhichfeastDanteaccompaniedhisfather,AlighieroAlighieri.
6.“HereisadeitystrongerthanI;who,coming,shallruleoverme.”
7.“Yourbeatitudehathnowbeenmademanifestuntoyou.”
8.“Woeisme!forthatoftenIshallbedisturbedfromthistimeforth!”
9.
Οὐδὲἐῴκει
Ἀνδρόςγεθνητοῦπαῖςἔμμεναι,ἀλλὰθεοῖο.
(Iliad,xxiv.258.)
10.“Iamthymaster.”
11.“Beholdthyheart.”
12.ThefriendofwhomDanteherespeakswasGuidoCavalcanti.
13.i.e.,inachurch.
14.Itwillbeobservedthatthispoemisnotwhatwenowcallasonnet.Itsstructure,however,isanalogoustothatofthesonnet,beingtwosextettsfollowedbytwoquatrains,insteadoftwoquatrainsfollowedbytwotriplets.Danteappliesthetermsonnettoboththeseformsofcomposition,andtonoother.
15.Thecommentatorsassertthatthelasttwolinesheredonotalludetothedeadlady,buttoBeatrice.
Thiswouldmakethepoemveryclumsyinconstruction;yettheremustbesomecovertallusiontoBeatrice,asDantehimselfintimates.TheonlyforminwhichIcantraceitconsistsintheimpliedassertionthatsuchpersonashadenjoyedthedeadlady’ssocietywasworthyofheaven,andthatpersonwasBeatrice.OrindeedtheallusiontoBeatricemightbeinthefirstpoem,wherehesaysthatLove“informavera”(thatis,Beatrice),mournedoverthecorpse:asheafterwardssaysofBeatrice,“QuellahanomeAmor.”Mostprobablybothallusionsareintended.
16.“Myson,itistimeforustolayasideourcounterfeiting.”
17.“Iamasthecentreofacircle,tothewhichallpartsofthecircumferencebearanequalrelation:butwiththeeitisnotthus.”ThisphraseseemstohaveremainedasobscuretocommentatorsasDantefounditatthemoment.Noone,asfarasIknow,hasevenfairlytriedtofindameaningforit.Tomethefollowingappearsanotunlikelyone.LoveisweepingonDante’saccount,andnotonhisown.Hesays,“Iamthecentreofacircle(Amorchemuoveilsoleel’altrestelle):thereforealllovableobjects,whetherinheavenorearth,oranypartofthecircle’scircumference,areequallyneartome.Notsothou,whowiltonedayloseBeatricewhenshegoestoheaven.”ThephrasewouldthuscontainanintimationofthedeathofBeatrice,accountingforDantebeingnexttoldnottoinquirethemeaningofthespeech,—”Demandnomorethanmaybeusefultothee.”
18.“Namesaretheconsequentsofthings.”
19.ItisdifficultnottoconnectDante’sagonyatthiswedding-feastwithourknowledgethatinhertwenty-firstyearBeatricewasweddedtoSimonede’Bardi.Thatsheherselfwasthebrideonthisoccasionmightseemoutofthequestion,fromthefactofitsnotbeinginanywaysostated:butontheotherhand,Dante’ssilencethroughouttheVitaNuovaasregardshermarriage(whichmusthavebroughtdeepsorroweventohisideallove)issostartling,thatwemightalmostbeledtoconceiveinthispassagetheonlyintimationofitwhichhethoughtfittogive.
20.GuidoGuinicelli,inthecanzonewhichbegins,“WithinthegentleheartLovesheltershim.”
21.ThereisaplayintheoriginaluponthewordsPrimavera(Spring)andprimaverrà(sheshallcomefirst),towhichIhavegivenasnearanequivalentasIcould.
22.“Iamthevoiceofonecryinginthewilderness:‘PrepareyethewayoftheLord.’”
23.Thatis(asIunderstandit),suppressing,fromdelicacytowardshisfriend,thewordsinwhichLovedescribesJoanasmerelytheforerunnerofBeatrice.AndperhapsinthelatterpartofthissentenceareproachisgentlyconveyedtothefickleGuidoCavalcanti,whomayalreadyhavetransferredhishomage(thoughDantehadnotthenlearnedit)fromJoantoMandetta.
24.OnreadingDante’streatiseDeVulgariEloquio,itwillbefoundthatthedistinctionwhichheintendshereisnotbetweenonelanguage,ordialect,andanother;butbetween“vulgarspeech”(thatis,thelanguagehandeddownfrommothertosonwithoutanyconscioususeofgrammarorsyntax),andlanguageasregulatedbygrammariansandthelawsofliterarycomposition,andwhichDantecallssimply“Grammar.”Agreatdealmightbesaidonthebearingsofthepresentpassage,butitisnopartofmyplantoenteronsuchquestions.
25.i.e.,thelanguagesofProvenceandTuscany.
26.Itstrikesmethatthiscuriouspassagefurnishesareason,hitherto(Ibelieve)overlooked,whyDanteputsuchofhislyricalpoemsasrelatetophilosophyintotheformoflove-poems.HelikedwritinginItalianrhymeratherthanLatinmetre;hethoughtItalianrhymeoughttobeconfinedtolove-poems:thereforewhateverhewrote(atthisage)hadtotaketheformofalove-poem.ThusanypoembyDantenotconcerningloveislaterthanhistwenty-seventhyear(1291-2),whenhewrotetheproseoftheVitaNuova;thepoetryhavingbeenwrittenearlier,atthetimeoftheeventsreferredto.
27.“Howdoththecitysitsolitary,thatwasfullofpeople!howisshebecomeasawidow,shethatwasgreatamongthenations!”—LamentationsofJeremiah,i.I.
28.BeatricePortinariwillthusbefoundtohavediedduringthefirsthourofthe9thofJune,1290.AndfromwhatDantesaysatthecommencementofthiswork,(viz.,thatshewasyoungerthanhimselfbyeightorninemonths,)itmayalsobegatheredthatherage,atthetimeofherdeath,wastwenty-fouryearsandthreemonths.The“perfectnumber”mentionedinthepresentpassageisthenumberten.
29.Thusaccordingtosometexts.Themajority,however,addthewords,“AndthereforewasIinthought:”buttheshorterspeechisperhapsthemoreforcibleandpathetic.
30.BoccacciotellsusthatDantewasmarriedtoGemmaDonatiaboutayearafterthedeathof
Beatrice.CanGemmathenbe“theladyofthewindow,”hisloveforwhomDantesocontemns?Suchapassingconjecture(whenconsideredtogetherwiththeinterpretationofthispassageinDante’slaterwork,theConvito)wouldofcourseimplyanadmissionofwhatIbelievetolieattheheartofalltrueDantesquecommentary;thatis,theexistencealwaysoftheactualeventsevenwheretheallegoricalsuperstructurehasbeenraisedbyDantehimself.
31.TheVeronica(Veraicon,ortrueimage);thatis,thenapkinwithwhichawomanwassaidtohavewipedourSaviour’sfaceonHiswaytothecross,andwhichmiraculouslyretaineditslikeness.DantemakesmentionofitalsointheCommedia(Parad.xxi.103),wherehesays:—
“QualècoluicheforsediCroazia
VieneavederlaVeronicanostra,
Cheperl’anticafamanonsisazia
Madicenelpensierfinchesimostra:
SignormioGesùCristo,Iddioverace,
Orfusìfattalasembianzavostra?”etc.
32.ThiswemaybelievetohavebeentheVisionofHell,Purgatory,andParadise,whichfurnishedthetripleargumentoftheDivinaCommedia.TheLatinwordsendingtheVitaNuovaarealmostidenticalwiththoseatthecloseoftheletterinwhichDante,onconcludingtheParadise,andaccomplishingthehopehereexpressed,dedicateshisgreatworktoCanGrandedellaScala.
33.“Whoisblessedthroughoutallages.”
THESIDDALEDITIONOF
D.G.ROSSETTI’SWORKS.
VOLUMESNOWREADY.
THEHOUSEOFLIFE:ASONNETSEQUENCE.
BALLADS:ROSEMARY;THEWHITESHIP;THEKING’STRAGEDY.
THENEWLIFE(LAVITANUOVA)OFDANTEALIGHIERI.
Small8vo,withPhotogravureFrontispieces,clothextra,giltedges,price2s.6d.pervol.,net.
OTHERVOLUMESAREINPREPARATION.
ELLISANDELVEY29,NEWBONDSTREET,LONDON,W.
Transcriber’sNote:Originalspellingandpunctuationhavebeenpreserved.Minortypographicalerrorshavebeencorrectedwithoutnote.