– Dante Alighieri (1265–3121)
Sonetto VII
WITHIN my Lady’s eyes abideth Love,
Hence where she looks all things must needs grow kind,
And when she passeth all men glance behind,
And those she greeteth such fond raptures prove
That from each downcast face the colour fades
And every fault repentance doth inspire:
Before her flee presumptuousness and ire;
Help me to do her honour, gentle maids!
The heart which heareth her when she doth speak
Becometh, through her virtue, pure and meek,
Hence praise to who beholds her first is due;
The vision of her softly smiling face
In neither speech nor memory hath place,
It is a miracle so sweet and new.
Sonetto VII: Within my Lady’s eyes
Sunday, 5 December 2010
Dante Gabriel Rossetti, Venus Verticordia, 1864-68