SONNET. LORENZO DE' medici. NEVER did eyes such gentle slumber close, As that which overshadow'd the pure light Of orbs, whence love his gather'd radiance throws. And while they lay thus temper'd in repose, Love, thou didst lose the chief part of thy might; For that fair aspect giv'n or lost to sight, Thy power at will withdraws, at will bestows. O lofty oak, whose interposing leaves, Veil with their cooling shade my fair one's eyes, And guard their sleep from Phoebus' dazzling glare, Fear not, when Jove the clouds with thunder cleaves, Fear not destruction from the angry skies; Of darts more dread from waking love beware. SONETTO X. MICHELAGNOLO BUONAROTI. Non è possibile vedere alcuna bellezza e non amarla. PASSA Di beltate ogni obbietto e leggiadria Per si piana, ed aperta, e larga via, Che 'nvan forza il contrasta e ardimento. Ond' io dubbio fra me, temo, e pavento L'error ch'ogni alma dal suo fin desvia, Che non si fermi al breve uman contento. D'amor nel fuoco e bee del suo veleno, (Poichè fatale è amore al viver dato) Se grazia nol trasporta all' alte e dive Bellezze, e i desir là volti non sieno, SONNET X. MICHELAGNOLO BUONAROTI. It is impossible to see beauty without loving it. QUICK to the heart thro' the enraptur❜d sight, Darts Beauty, soon as seen, love's piercing ray, So open, and so broad, so smooth the way, That human force would vainly check its flight. Hence doubt, and fear, and sorrow whelm me quite, To think how error leads the soul astray, How mortal eyes in fond beguilement stay, Fix'd on the visions of short-liv'd delight. Few unto heav'n aspire; and they whose hearts Love's poison withers with consuming fires, (For love's existence is decreed by fate) Nor Grace her elevating aid imparts To raise to things divine their base desires, Oh! on such love what miseries await! |