Dante's New life

seater

¥

Digitized by the Internet Archive
in 2008 with funding from A)
Microsoft Corporation hake

1s

THE NEW LIFE

wal

a

, >

a

pif iM

ae

aAyans. by

Be 2.6. Rosseiti ie
‘i George & Darrap E

and Company

.

53
»
a
:
ai
4
i
ae oe

The New Life
| (La Vita Nuova)

[8 that part of the book of my memory before
the which is little that can be read, there is
a rubric, saying, Incipit Vita Nova. Under such
rubric I find written many things; and among them
the words which I purpose to copy into this little
book ; if not all of them, at the least their substance.
Nine times already since my birth had the heaven
of light returned to the selfsame point almost, as
concerns its own revolution, when first the glorious
Lady of my mind was made manifest to mine eyes;
even she who was called Beatrice by many who
knew not wherefore. She had already been in this
life for so long as that, within her time, the starry
heaven had moved towards the Eastern quarter one
of the twelve parts of a degree; so that she ap-
peared to me at the beginning of her ninth year
almost, and I saw her almost at the énd of my
ninth year. Her dress, on that day, was of a most
noble colour, a subdued and goodly crimson, girdled
and adorned in such sort as best suited with her
very tender age. At that moment, I say most truly
that the spirit of life, which hath its dwelling in
the secretest chamber of the heart, began to tremble
so violently that the least pulses of my body shook

[5]

Che Pew Life

therewith; and in trembling it said these words:
Ecce deus fortior me, qui veniens dominabitur mihi.
At that moment the animate spirit, which dwelleth
in the lofty chamber whither all the senses carry
their perceptions, was filled with wonder, and
speaking more especially unto the spirits of the
eyes, said these words: Apparuit jam beatitudo
vestra. At that moment the natural spirit, which
dwelleth there where our nourishment is admin-
istered, began to weep, and in weeping said these
words: Heu miser! quia frequenter impeditus ero
deinceps.

I say that, from that time forward, Love quite
governed my soul; which was immediately espoused
to him, and with so safe and undisputed a lordship
(by virtue of strong imagination) that I had noth-
ing left for it but to do all his bidding continually.
He oftentimes commanded me to seek if I might
see this youngest of the Angels: wherefore I in my
boyhood often went in search of her, and found
her so noble and praiseworthy that certainly of her
might have been said those words of the poet
Homer, “ She seemed not to be the daughter of a
mortal man, but of God.” And albeit her image,
that was with me always, was an exultation of Love
to subdue me, it was yet of so perfect a quality that
it never allowed me to be overruled by Love with-
out the faithful counsel of reason, whensoever such
counsel was useful to be heard. But seeing that
were I to dwell overmuch on the passions and doings
of such early youth, my words might be counted
something fabulous, I will therefore put them
aside; and passing many things that may be con-
ceived by the pattern of these, I will come to such
as are writ in my memory with a better distinctness.

[6]

Ghe feew Life

After the lapse of so many days that nine years
exactly were completed since the above-written ap-
pearance of this most gracious being, on the last of
those days it happened that the same wonderful
lady appeared to me dressed all in pure white, be-
tween two gentle ladies elder than she. And pass-
ing through a street, she turned her eyes thither
where I stood sorely abashed: and by her unspeak-
able courtesy, which is now guerdoned in the Great
Cycle, she saluted me with so virtuous a bearing
that I seemed then and there to behold the very
limits of blessedness. The hour of her most sweet
salutation was exactly the ninth of that day; and
because it was the first time that any words from
her reached mine ears, I came into such sweetness
that I parted thence as one intoxicated. And be-
taking me to the loneliness of mine own room, I
fell to thinking of this most courteous lady, think-
ing of whom I was overtaken by a pleasant slumber,
wherein a marvellous vision was presented to me:
for there appeared to be in my room a mist of the
colour of fire, within the which I discerned the
figure of a lord of terrible aspect to such as should
gaze upon him, but who seemed therewithal to re-
joice inwardly that it was a marvel to see. Speak-
ing he said many things, among the which I could
understand but few; and of these, this: Ego dom-
inus tuus. In his arms it seemed to me that a
person was sleeping, covered only with a blood-
coloured cloth; upon whom looking very attentively,
I knew that it was the lady of the salutation who
had deigned the day before to salute me. And he
who held her held also in his hand a thing that
was burning in flames; and he said to me, Vide
cor tuum. But when he had remained with me

[7]

Che frew Dife

a little while, I thought that he set himself to
awaken her that slept; after the which he made
her to eat that thing which flamed in his hand;
and she ate as one fearing. Then, having waited
again a space, all his joy was turned into most
bitter weeping; and as he wept he gathered the
lady into his arms, and it seemed to me that
he went with her up towards heaven: whereby
such a great anguish came upon me that my
light slumber could not endure through it, but
was suddenly broken. And immediately having
considered, I knew that the hour wherein this vision
had been made manifest to me was the fourth hour
(which is to say, the first of the nine last hours)
of the night.

Then, musing on what I had seen, I proposed to
relate the same to many poets who were famous in
that day: and for that I had myself in some sort the
art of discoursing with rhyme, I resolved on making
a sonnet, in the which, having saluted all such as
are subject unto Love, and entreated them to ex-
pound my vision, I should write unto them these
things which I had seen in my sleep. And the son-
net I made was this :—

To every heart which the sweet pain doth move,
And unto which these words may now be brought
For true interpretation and kind thought,

Be greeting in our Lord’s name, which is Love.

Of those long hours wherein the stars, above,
Wake and keep watch, the third was almost

nought,
When Love was shown me with such terrors
fraught

As may not carelessly be spoken of.

[8]

Che jeew Life

He seemed like one who is full of joy, and had
My heart within his hand, and on his arm
My lady, with a mantle round her, slept;
Whom (having wakened her) anon he made
To eat that heart; she ate, as fearing harm.
Then he went out; and as he went, he wept.

This sonnet is divided into two parts. In the
first part I give greeting, and ask an answer; in
the second, I signify what thing has to be answered
to. The second part commences here: “ Of those
long hours.”

To this sonnet I received many answers, convey-
ing many different opinions; of the which one was
sent by him whom I now call the first among my
friends, and it began thus, “ Unto my thinking
thou beheld’st all worth.” And indeed, it was
when he learned that I was he who had sent those
rhymes to him, that our friendship commenced.
But the true meaning of that vision was not then
perceived by any one, though it be now evident to
the least skilful.

From that night forth, the natural functions of
my body began to be vexed and impeded, for I was
given up wholly to thinking of this most gracious
creature: whereby in short space I became so weak
and so reduced that it was irksome to many of my
friends to look upon me; while others, being moved
by spite, went about to discover what it was my wish
should be concealed. Wherefore I (perceiving the
drift of their unkindly questions), by Love’s will,
who directed me according to the counsels of reason,
told them how it was Love himself who had thus

[9]

he few Lite

dealt with me: and I said so, because the thing was
so plainly to be discerned in my countenance that
there was no longer any means of concealing it.
But when they went on to ask: “ And by whose help
hath Love done this? ” I looked in their faces smil-
ing, and spake no word in return.

Now it fell on a day, that this most gracious
creature was sitting where words were to be heard
of the Queen of Glory; and I was in a place whence
mine eyes could behold their beatitude: and betwixt
her and me, in a direct line, there sat another lady
of a pleasant favour; who looked round at me many
times, marvelling at my continued gaze which
seemed to have her for its object. And many per-
ceived that she thus looked; so that departing
thence, I heard it whispered after me, “ Look you
to what a pass such a lady hath brought him; ” and
in saying this they named her who had been mid-
way between the most gentle Beatrice and mine
eyes. Therefore I was reassured, and knew that
for that day my secret had not become manifest.
Then immediately it came into my mind that I
might make use of this lady as a screen to the truth:
and so well did I play my part that the most of
those who had hitherto watched and wondered at me
now imagined they had found me out. By her means
I kept my secret concealed till some years were gone
over; and for my better security I even made divers
rhymes in her honour; whereof I shall here write
only as much as concerneth the most gentle Bea-
trice, which is but a very little. Moreover, about
the same time while this lady was a screen for so
much love on my part, I took the resolution to set
down the name of this most gracious creature
accompanied with many other women’s names, and

[ 10 ] :

Che jee Life

especially with hers whom I spake of. And to this
end I put together the names of sixty of the most
beautiful ladies in that city where God had placed
mine own lady; and these names I introduced in an
epistle in the form of a sirvent, which it is not my
intention to transcribe here. Neither should I have
said anything of this matter, did I not wish to take
note of a certain strange thing, to wit: that having
written the list, I found my lady’s name would not
stand otherwise than ninth in order among the names
of these ladies.

Now it so chanced with her by whose means I had
thus long time concealed my desire, that it behoved
her to leave the city I speak of, and to journey afar:
wherefore I, being sorely perplexed at the loss of
so excellent a defence, had more trouble than even
I could before have supposed. And thinking that
if I spoke not somewhat mournfully of her depart-
ure, my former counterfeiting would be the more
quickly perceived, I determined that I would make
a grievous sonnet thereof; the which I will write
here, because it hath certain words in it whereof
my lady was the immediate cause, as will be plain
to him that understands. And the sonnet was
this :—

ALt ye that pass along Love’s trodden way,
Pause ye awhile and say

If there be any grief like unto mine:

I pray you that you hearken a short space
Patiently, if my case
Be not a piteous marvel and a sign.

Love (never, certes, for my worthless part,
But of his own great heart,)
Vouchsafed to me a life so calm and sweet

{11 ]

Che Pew Vite

That oft I heard folk question as I went
What such great gladness meant :—
They spoke of it behind me in the street.

But now that fearless bearing is all gone
Which with Love’s hoarded wealth was given me;
Till I am grown to be

So poor that I have dread to think thereon.

And thus it is that I, being like as one
Who is ashamed and hides his poverty,
Without seem full of glee,

And let my heart within travail and moan.

This poem has two principal parts; for, in the
first, I mean to call the Faithful of Love in those
nords of Jeremias the Prophet, “O vos omnes qui
transitis per viam, attendite et videte si est dolor
sicut dolor meus,” and to pray them to stay and
hear me. In the second I tell where Love had
placed me, with a meaning other than that which
the last part of the poem shows, and I say what I
have lost. The second part begins here, “ Love,
(never, certes ).”

A certain while after the departure of that lady,
it pleased the Master of the Angels to call into His
glory a damsel, young and of a gentle presence,
who had been very lovely in the city I speak of:
and I saw her body lying without its soul among
many ladies, who held a pitiful weeping. Where-
upon, remembering that I had seen her in the com-
pany of excellent Beatrice, I could not hinder my-
self from a few tears; and weeping, I conceived to
say somewhat of her death, in guerdon of having

[ 12 ]

he yeew Life

seen her somewhile with my lady; which thing I
spake of in the latter end of the verses that I writ
in this matter, as he will discern who understands.
And I wrote two sonnets, which are these:—

I.

Weep, Lovers, sith Love’s very self doth weep,
And sith the cause for weeping is so great;
When now so many dames, of such estate

In worth, show with their eyes a grief so deep:

For Death the chur] has laid his leaden sleep
Upon a damsel who was fair of late,
Defacing all our earth should celebrate,—

Yea all save virtue, which the soul doth keep.

Now hearken how much Love did honour her.

I myself saw him in his proper form
Bending above the motionless sweet dead,

And often gazing into Heaven; for there

The soul now sits which when her life was warm
Dwelt with the joyful beauty that is fled.

This first sonnet is divided into three parts. In
the first, I call and beseech the Faithful of Love
to weep; and I say that their Lord weeps, and that
they, hearing the reason why he weeps, shall
be more minded to listen to me. In the second, I
relate this reason. In the third, I speak of honour
done by Love to this Lady. The second part begins
here, “ When now so many dames; ” the third here,
“ Now hearken.”

[13]

Che ew Life

II.

Deatu, always cruel, Pity’s foe in chief,

Mother who brought forth grief,
Merciless judgment and without appeal!
Since thou alone hast made my heart to feel
This sadness and unweal,

My tongue upbraideth thee without relief.

And now (for I must rid thy name of ruth)
Behoves me speak the truth
Touching thy cruelty and wickedness:
Not that they be not known; but ne’ertheless
I would give hate more stress
With them that feed on love in very sooth.

Out of this world thou hast driven courtesy,
And virtue, dearly prized in womanhood;
And out of youth’s gay mood

The lovely lightness is quite gone through thee.

Whom now I mourn, no man shall learn from me
Save by the measure of these praises given.
Whoso deserves not Heaven

May never hope to have her company.

This poem is divided into four parts. In the
first I address Death by certain proper names of
hers. In the second, speaking to her, I tell the
reason why I am moved to denounce her. In the
third I rail against her. In the fourth, I turn to
speak to a person undefined, although defined in
my own conception. The second part commences

[14]

as

Che jrew Life

here, “Since thou alone;” the third here, “ And
now (for I must);” the fourth here, “ Whoso de-

serves not.”

Some days after the death of this lady, I had oc-
casion to leave the city I speak of, and to go thither-
wards where she abode who had formerly been my
protection; albeit the end of my journey reached
not altogether so far. And notwithstanding that I
was visibly in the company of many, the journey
was so irksome that I had scarcely sighing enough
to ease my heart’s heaviness; seeing that as I went,
I left my beatitude behind me. Wherefore it came
to pass that he who ruled me by virtue of my most
gentle lady was made visible to my mind, in the
light habit of a traveller, coarsely fashioned. He
appeared to me troubled, and looked always on the
ground; saving only that sometimes his eyes were
turned towards a river which was clear and rapid,
and which flowed along the path I was taking.
And then I thought that Love called me and said to
me these words: “I come from that lady who was
so long thy surety; for the matter of whose re-
turn, I know that it may not be. Wherefore I have
taken that heart which I made thee leave with
her, and do bear it unto another lady, who, as she
was, shall be thy surety; ” (and when he named her
I knew her well). “And of these words I have

_ spoken, if thou shouldst speak any again, let it be

in such sort as that none shall perceive thereby
that thy love was feigned for her, which thou must
now feign for another.’”’ And when he had spoken
thus, all my imagining was gone suddenly, for it
seemed to me that Love became a part of myself:
so that, changed as it were in mine aspect, I rode

[15]

Che ew Life

on full of thought the whole of that day, and with
heavy sighing. And the day being over, I wrote
this sonnet :—

A pay agone, as I rode sullenly
Upon a certain path that liked me not,
I met Love midway while the air was hot,
Clothed lightly as a wayfarer might be.
And for the cheer he showed, he seemed to me
As one who hath lost lordship he had got;
Advancing tow’rds me full of sorrowful thought,
Bowing his forehead so that none should see.
Then as I went, he called me by my name,
Saying: “‘ I journey since the morn was dim
Thence where I made thy heart to be: which
now
I needs must bear unto another dame.”
Wherewith so much passed into me of him
That he was gone, and I discerned not how.

This sonnet has three parts. In the first part, I
tell how I met Love, and of his aspect. In the
second, I tell what he said to me, although not in
full, through the fear I had of discovering my
secret. In the third, I say how he disappeared.
The second part commences here, “ Then as I
went; ” the third here, “ Wherenith so much.”

On my return, I set myself to seek out that lady
whom my master had named to me while I jour-

neyed sighing. And because I would be brief, I

will now narrate that in a short while I made her

my surety, in such sort that the matter was spoken >

of by many in terms scarcely courteous; through ~
the which I had oftenwhiles many troublesome ~

[ 16 ]

pba eree cnet mth

Che jrew Life

hours. And by this it happened (to wit: by this
false and evil rumour which seemed to misfame me
of vice) that she who was the destroyer of all
evil and the queen of all good, coming where I was,
denied me her most sweet salutation, in the which
alone was my blessedness.

And here it is fitting for me to depart a little
from this present matter, that it may be rightly
understood of what surpassing virtue her salutation
was to me. To the which end I say that when she
appeared in any place, it seemed to me, by the hope
of her excellent salutation, that there was no man
mine enemy any longer; and such warmth of
charity came upon me that most certainly in that
moment I would have pardoned whosoever had done
me an injury; and if one should then have ques-
tioned me concerning any matter, I could only have
said unto him, “ Love,” with a countenance clothed
in humbleness. And what time she made ready to
salute me, the spirit of Love, destroying all other
perceptions, thrust forth the feeble spirits of my
eyes, saying, “Do homage unto your mistress,”
and putting itself in their place to obey: so that he
who would, might then have beheld Love, behold-
ing the lids of mine eyes shake. And when this
most gentle lady gave her salutation, Love, so far
from being a medium beclouding mine intolerable
beatitude, then bred in me such an overpowering
sweetness that my body, being all subjected there-
to, remained many times helpless and _ passive.
Whereby it is made manifest that in her salutation
alone was there any beatitude for me, which then
very often went beyond endurance.

And now, resuming ih avanen I will go on to
relate that when, for the first time, this beatitude

[17]

ahe Pew Life

was denied me, I became possessed with such grief
that, parting myself from others, I went into a
lonely place to bathe the ground with most bitter
tears: and when, by this heat of weeping, I was
somewhat relieved, I betook myself to my chamber,
where I could lament unheard. And there, hav-
ing prayed to the Lady of all Mercies, and having
said also, ‘““O Love, aid thou thy servant,’ I went
suddenly asleep like a beaten sobbing child. And
in my sleep, towards the middle of it, I seemed
to see in the room, seated at my side, a youth in
very white raiment, who kept his eyes fixed on me
in deep thought. And when he had gazed some
time, I thought that he sighed and called to me in
these words: “ Fili mi, tempus est ut pretermit-
tantur simulata nostra.” And thereupon I seemed
to know him; for the voice was the same wherewith
he had spoken at other times in my sleep. Then
looking at him, I perceived that he was weeping
piteously, and that he seemed to be waiting for me
to speak. Wherefore, taking heart, I began thus:
“Why weepest thou, Master of all honour?”” And
he made answer to me: “ Ego tanquam centrum
circuli, cui simili modo se habent circumferentie
partes: tu autem non sic.” And thinking upon his
words, they seemed to me obscure; so that again
compelling myself unto speech, I asked of him:
“ What thing is this, Master, that thou hast spoken
thus darkly?” To the which he made answer in
the vulgar tongue: ““ Demand no more than may be
useful to thee.” Whereupon I began to discourse
with him concerning her salutation which she had
denied me; and when I Jhad questioned him of the
cause, he said these words: “‘ Our Beatrice hath
heard from certain persons, that the lady whom I

[ 18 ]

he Pew Life

named to thee while thou journeydst full of sighs
is sorely disquieted by thy solicitations: and there-
fore this most gracious creature, who is the enemy
of all disquiet, being fearful of such disquiet, re-
fused to salute thee. For the which reason (albeit,
in very sooth, thy secret must needs have become
known to her by familiar observation) it is my will
that thou compose certain things in rhyme, in the
which thou shalt set forth how strong a master-
ship I have obtained over thee, through her; and
how thou wast hers even from thy childhood. Also
do thou call upon him that knoweth these things to
bear witness to them, bidding him to speak with her
thereof ; the which I, who am he, will do willingly.
And thus she shall be made to know thy desire;
knowing which, she shall know likewise that they
were deceived who spake of thee to her. And so
write these things, that they shall seem rather to be
spoken by a third person; and not directly by thee
to her, which is scarce fitting. After the which,
send them, not without me, where she may chance
to hear them; but have them fitted with a pleasant
music, into the which I will pass whensoever it
needeth.” With this speech he was away, and my
sleep was broken up.

Whereupon, remembering me, I knew that I had
beheld this vision during the ninth hour of the day;
and I resolved that I would make a ditty, before I
left my chamber, according to the words my master
had spoken. And this is the ditty that I made:—

Sone, ‘tis my will that thou do seek out Love,
And go with him where my dear lady is;
That so my cause, the which thy harmonies

Do plead, his better speech may clearly prove.

[19]

Che few Life |

Thou goest, my Song, in such a courteous kind,
That even companionless
Thou mayst rely on thyself anywhere.
And yet, an thou wouldst get thee a safe mind,
First unto Love address
Thy steps; whose aid, mayhap, ’twere ill to
spare,
Seeing that she to whom thou mak’st thy
prayer
Is, as I think, ill-minded unto me,
And that if Love do not companion thee,
Thouw'lt have perchance small cheer to tell me of.

With a sweet accent, when thou com’st to her,
Begin thou in these words,
First having craved a gracious audience:
“He who hath sent me as his messenger,
Lady, thus much records,
An thou but suffer him, in his defence.
Love, who comes with me, by thine influence
Can make this man do as it liketh him:
Wherefore, if this fault zs or doth but seem
Do thou conceive: for his heart cannot move.”

Say to her also: “ Lady, his poor heart
Is so confirmed in faith
That all its thoughts are but of serving thee:
’T was early thine, and could not swerve apart.”
Then, if she wavereth,
Bid her ask Love, who knows if these things
be.
And in the end, beg of her modestly
To pardon so much boldness: saying too:—
“‘ If thou declare his death to be thy due,
The thing shall come to pass, as doth behove.”

[ 20 ]

Che few Life

Then pray thou of the Master of all ruth,
Before thou leave her there,
That he befriend my cause and plead it well.
“In guerdon of my sweet rhymes and my truth”
(Entreat him) “ stay with her;
Let not the hope of thy poor servant fail;
And if with her thy pleading should prevail,
Let her look on him and give peace to him.”
Gentle my Song, if good to thee it seem,
Do this: so worship shall be thine and love.

This ditty is divided into three parts. In the
first, I tell it whither to go, and I encourage it, that
it may go the more confidently, and I tell it whose
company to join if it would go with confidence and
without any danger. In the second,I say that
which it behoves the ditty to set forth. In the
third, I give it leave to start when it pleases, recom-
mending its course to the arms of Fortune. The
second part begins here, “ With a sweet accent; ”
the third here,“ Gentle my Song.” Some might
contradict me, and say that they understand not
whom I address in the second person, seeing that
the ditty is merely the very words I am speaking.
And therefore I say that this doubt I intend to solve
and clear up in this little book itself, at a more dif-
ficult passage, and then let him understand who
now doubts, or would now contradict as aforesaid.

After this vision I have recorded, and having
written those words which Love had dictated to me,
I began to be harassed with many and divers
thoughts, by each of which I was sorely tempted;

[21]

Che Rew Life

and in especial, there were four among them that
left me no rest. The first was this: “ Certainly the
lordship of Love is good; seeing that it diverts the
mind from all mean things.”” The second was this:
“Certainly the lordship of Love is evil; seeing
that the more homage his servants pay to him, the
more grievous and painful are the torments where-
with he torments them.” ‘The third was this: “ The
name of Love is so sweet in the hearing that it
would not seem possible for its effects to be other
than sweet; seeing that the name must needs be
like unto the thing named; as it is written: Nomina
sunt consequentia rerum.” And the fourth was this:
“The lady whom Love hath chosen out to govern
thee is not as other ladies, whose hearts are easily
moved.”

And by each one of these thoughts I was so sorely
assailed that I was like unto him who doubteth
which path to take, and wishing to go, goeth not.
And if I bethought myself to seek out some point
at the which all these paths might be found to meet,
I discerned but one way, and that irked me; to wit,
to call upon Pity, and to commend myself unto her.
And it was then that, feeling a desire to write some-
what thereof in rhyme, I wrote this sonnet :—

Aut my thoughts always speak to me of Love,
Yet have between themselves such difference
That while one bids me bow with mind and sense,

A second saith, “‘ Go to: look thou above; ”

The third one, hoping, yields me joy enough;

And with the last come tears, I scarce know
whence:
All of them craving pity in sore suspense,
Trembling with fears that the heart knoweth of.

[ 22 ]

Che Rew Life

And thus, being all unsure which path to take,
Wishing to speak I know not what to say,
And lose myself in amorous wanderings:
Until, (my peace with all of them to make, )
Unto mine enemy I needs must pray,
My Lady Pity, for the help she brings.

This sonnet may be divided into four parts. In
the first, I say and propound that all my thoughts
are concerning Love. In the second, I say that they
are diverse, and I relate their diversity. In the
third, I say wherein, they all seem to agree. In the
fourth, I say that, wishing to speak of Love, I know
not from which of these thoughts to take my argu-
ment; and that if I would take it from all, I shall
have to call upon mine enemy, my Lady Pity.
“ Lady,” I say, as in a scornful mode of speech.
The second begins here, “ Yet have between them-
selves;” the third, “ All of them craving;” the
fourth, “ And thus.”

After this battling with many thoughts, it
chanced on a day that my most gracious lady was
with a gathering of ladies in a certain place; to the
which I was conducted by a friend of mine; he
thinking to do me a great pleasure by showing me
the beauty of so many women. Then I, hardly
knowing whereunto he conducted me, but trusting
in him (who yet was leading his friend to the last
verge of life), made question: “To what end are
we come among these ladies?”’ and he answered:
“To the end that they may be worthily served.”
And they were assembled around a gentlewoman
who was given in marriage on that day; the custom
of the city being that these should bear her com-

[ 28 ]

Che Rew Dife

pany when she sat down for the first time at table
in the house of her husband. Therefore I, as was
my friend’s pleasure, resolved to stay with him and
do honour to those ladies.

But as soon as I had thus resolved, I began to
feel a faintness and a throbbing at my left side,
which soon took possession of my whole body.
Whereupon I remember that I covertly leaned my
back unto a painting that ran round the walls of
that house; and being fearful lest my trembling
should be discerned of them, I lifted mine eyes to
look on those ladies, and then first perceived among
them the excellent Beatrice. And when I perceived
her, all my senses were overpowered by the great
lordship that Love obtained, finding himself so near
unto that most gracious being, until nothing but the
spirits of sight remained to me; and even these re-
mained driven out of their own instruments because
Love entered in that honoured place of theirs, that
so he might the better behold her. And although I
was other than at first, I grieved for the spirits so
expelled, which kept up a sore lament, saying: “ If
he had not in this wise thrust us forth, we also
should behold the marvel of this lady.” By this,
many of her friends, having discerned my confu-
sion, began to wonder; and together with herself,
kept whispering of me and mocking me. Where-
upon my friend, who knew not what to conceive,
took me by the hands, and drawing me forth from
among them, required to know what ailed me. Then,
having first held me quiet for a space until my per-
ceptions were come back to me, I made answer to my
friend: ‘‘ Of a surety I have now set my feet on that
point of life, beyond the which he must not pass —
who would return.”

[ 24 ]

Che Pew Life

Afterwards, leaving him, I went back to the room
where I had wept before; and again weeping and
ashamed, said: “‘ If this lady but knew of my con-
dition, I do not think that she would thus mock at
me; nay, I am sure that she must needs feel some
pity.” And in my weeping I bethought me to write
certain words, in the which, speaking to her, I
should signify the occasion of my disfigurement, tell-
ing her also how I knew that she had no knowledge
thereof: which, if it were known, I was certain must
move others to pity. And then, because I hoped
that peradventure it might come into her hearing, I
wrote this sonnet :—

Even as the others mock, thou mockest me;
Not dreaming, noble lady, whence it is
That I am taken with strange semblances,
Seeing thy face which is so fair to see:
For else, compassion would not suffer thee
To grieve my heart with such harsh scoffs as
these.
Lo! Love, when thou art present, sits at ease,
And bears his mastership so mightily,
That all my troubled senses he thrusts out,
Sorely tormenting some, and slaying some,
Till none but he is left and has free range
To gaze on thee. This makes my face to
change
Into another’s; while I stand all dumb,
And hear my senses clamour in their rout.

This sonnet I divide not into parts, because a di-
vision is only made to open the meaning of the thing
divided: and this, as it is sufficiently manifest
through the reasons given, has no need of division.

[ 25 ]

Zhe Pew Life

True it is that, amid the words whereby is shown —
the occasion of this sonnet, dubious words are to be —
found; namely, when I say that Love kills all my
spirits, but that the visual remain in life, only out-
side of their own instruments. And this difficulty
it is impossible for any to solve who is not in equal
guise liege unto Love; and, to those who are so, that
is manifest which would clear up the dubious words.
And therefore it were not well for me to expound
this difficulty, inasmuch as my speaking would be
either fruitless or else superfluous.

A while after this strange disfigurement, I became
possessed with a strong conception which left me but
very seldom, and then to return quickly. And it was
this: “Seeing that thou comest into such scorn by
the companionship of this lady, wherefore seekest
thou to behold her? If she should ask thee this
thing, what answer couldst thou make unto her?
yea, even though thou wert master of all thy facul-
ties, and in no way hindered from answering.”
Unto the which, another very humble thought said
in reply: “ If I were master of all my faculties, and
in no way hindered from answering, I would tell
her that no sooner do I image to myself her marvel-
lous beauty than I am possessed with a desire to
behold her, the which is of so great strength that it
kills and destroys in my memory all those things
which might oppose it; and it is therefore that the
great anguish I have endured thereby is yet not
enough to restrain me from seeking to behold her.”
And then, because of these thoughts, I resolved to
write somewhat, wherein, having pleaded mine ex-
cuse, I should tell her of what I felt in her presence.
Whereupon I wrote this sonnet :—

[ 26 |

Che jrew Life

Tue thoughts are broken in my memory,
Thou lovely Joy, whene’er I see thy face;
When thou art near me, Love fills up the space,
Often repeating, “If death irk thee, fly.”
My face shows my heart’s colour, verily,
Which, fainting, seeks for any leaning-place;
Till, in the drunken terror of disgrace,
The very stones seem to be shrieking, “Die!”
It were a grievous sin, if one should not
Strive then to comfort my bewildered mind
(Though merely with a simple pitying)
For the great anguish which thy scorn has wrought
In the dead sight o’ the eyes grown nearly blind,
Which look for death as for a blessed thing.

This sonnet is divided into two parts. In the
first, I tell the cause why I abstain not from
coming to this lady. In the second, I tell what
befalls me through coming to her; and this part be-
gins here, “ When thou art near.” And also this
second part divides into five distinct statements.
For, in the first, I say what Love, counselled by
Reason, tells me when I am near the lady. In the
second, I set forth the state of my heart by the
example of the face. In the third, I say how all
ground of trust fails me. In the fourth, I say that
he sins who shows not pity of me, which would give
me some comfort. In the last, I say why people
should take pity: namely, for the piteous look
which comes into mine eyes; which piteous look is
destroyed, that is, appeareth not unto others,
through the jeering of this lady, who draws to the
like action those who peradventure would see this
piteousness. The second part begins here, “ My
face shows;” the third, “ Till, in the drunken

[ 2a |

Che fRLew Life

terror; ” the fourth, “ It were a grievous sin;” the
fifth, “ For the great anguish.”

Thereafter, this sonnet bred in me desire to write
down in verse four other things touching my con-
dition, the which things it seemed to me that I had
not yet made manifest. The first among these was
the grief that possessed me very often, remember-
ing the strangeness which Love wrought in me; the
second was, how Love many times assailed me so
suddenly and with such strength that I had no other
life remaining except a thought which spake of my
lady ; the third was, how, when Love did battle with
me in this wise, I would rise up all colourless, if so I
might see my lady, conceiving that the sight of her
would defend me against the assault of Love, and
altogether forgetting that which her presence
brought unto me; and the fourth was, how, when
I saw her, the sight not only defended me not, but
took away the little life that remained to me. And
I said these four things in a sonnet, which is this :—

Ar whiles (yea oftentimes) I muse over
The quality of anguish that is mine
Through Love: then pity makes my voice to pine,
Saying, “‘ Is any else thus, anywhere? ”
Love smiteth me, whose strength is ill to bear;
So that of all my life is left no sign
Except one thought; and that, because ’tis thine,
Leaves not the body but abideth there.
And then if I, whom other aid forsook,
Would aid myself, and innocent of art
Would fain have sight of thee as a last hope,
No sooner do I lift mine eyes to look
Than the blood seems as shaken from my heart,
And all my pulses beat at once and stop.

[ 28 ]

Che Rew Life

This sonnet is divided into four parts, four things
being therein narrated; and as these are set forth
above, I only proceed to distinguish the parts by
their beginnings. Wherefore I say that the second
part begins, “ Love smiteth me;” the third, “ And
then if I;” the fourth, “ No sooner do I lift.”

After I had written these three last sonnets
wherein I spake unto my lady, telling her almost
the whole of my condition, it seemed to me that I
should be silent, having said enough concerning
myself. But albeit I spake not to her again, yet it
behoved me afterward to write of another matter,
more noble than the foregoing. And for that the
occasion of what I then wrote may be found pleas-
ant in the hearing, I will relate it as briefly as
I may.

Through the sore change in mine aspect, the
secret of my heart was now understood of many.
Which thing being thus, there came a day when
certain ladies to whom it was well known (they
having been with me at divers times in my trouble)
were met together for the pleasure of gentle com-
pany. And as I was going that way by chance,
(but I think rather by the will of fortune,) I heard
one of them call unto me, and she that called was
a lady of very sweet speech. And when I had come
close up with them, and perceived that they had not
among them mine excellent lady, I was reassured;
and saluted them, asking of their pleasure. The
ladies were many; divers of whom were laughing
one to another, while divers gazed at me as though
I should speak anon. But when I still spake not,
one of them, who before had been talking with an-
other, addressed me by my name, saying, “‘ To what

[ 29 ]

Che Pew Life

end lovest thou this lady, seeing that thou canst not
support her presence? Now tell us this thing, that
we may know it: for certainly the end of such a
love must be worthy of knowledge.” And when she
had spoken these words, not she only, but all they
that were with her, began to observe me, waiting
for my reply. Whereupon I said thus unto them:—
“Ladies, the end and aim of my Love was but the
salutation of that lady of whom I conceive that ye
are speaking; wherein alone I found that beatitude
which is the goal of desire. And now that it hath
pleased her to deny me this, Love, my Master, of
his great goodness, hath placed all my beatitude
there where my hope will not fail me.” Then those
ladies began to talk closely together; and as I have
seen snow fall among the rain, so was their talk
mingled with sighs. But after a little, that lady
who had been the first to address me, addressed me
again in these words: ‘‘ We pray thee that thou wilt
tell us wherein abideth this thy beatitude.” And
answering, I said but thus much: “ In those words
that do praise my lady.” ‘To the which she re-
joined: “‘ If thy speech were true, those words that
thou didst write concerning thy condition would
have been written with another intent.”

Then I, being almost put to shame because of
her answer, went out from among them; and as
I walked, I said within myself: ‘‘ Seeing that there
is so much beatitude in those words which do praise
my lady, wherefore hath my speech of her been
different?’ And then I resolved that thencefor-
ward I would choose for the theme of my writings
only the praise of this most gracious being. But
when I had thought exceedingly, it seemed to me
that I had taken to myself a theme which was much

[ 30 ]

Che few Life

too lofty, so that I dared not begin; and I remained
during several days in the desire of speaking, and
the fear of beginning. After which it happened,
as I passed one day along a path which lay beside
a stream of very clear water, that there came upon
me a great desire to say somewhat in rhyme: but
when I began thinking how I should say it, me-
thought that to speak of her were unseemly unless
I spoke to other ladies in the second person; which
is to say, not to any other ladies, but only to such
as are so called because they are gentle, let alone
for mere womanhood. Whereupon I declare that
my tongue spake as though by its own impulse, and
said, “‘ Ladies that have intelligence in love.” These
words I laid up in my mind with great gladness,
conceiving to take them as my commencement.
Wherefore, having returned to the city I spake of,
and considered thereof during certain days, I began |
a poem with this beginning, constructed in the
mode which will be seen below in its division. The
poem begins here :—

Lapis that have intelligence in love,
Of mine own lady I would speak with you;
Not that I hope to count her praises through,
But telling what I may, to ease my mind.
And I declare that when I speak thereof,
Love sheds such perfect sweetness over me
That if my courage failed not, certainly
To him my listeners must be all resign’d
Wherefore I will not speak in such large kind
That mine own speech should foil me, which were
base;
But only will discourse of her high grace
In these poor words, the best that I can find,

[ 31 ]

Che Rew Lite

With you alone, dear dames and damozels:
*Twere ill to speak thereof with any else.

An Angel, of his blessed knowledge, saith
To God: “ Lord, in the world that Thou hast
made,
A miracle in action is display’d,
By reason of a soul whose splendours fare
Even hither: and since Heaven requireth
Nought saving her, for her it prayeth Thee,
Thy Saints crying aloud continually.”
Yet Pity still defends our earthly share
In that sweet soul; God answering thus the
prayer:
“ My well-belovéd, suffer that in peace
Your hope remain, while so My pleasure is,
There where one dwells who dreads the loss of
her:
And who in Hell unto the doomed shall say,
‘I have looked on that for which God’s chosen
pray.”
My lady is desired in the high Heaven:
Wherefore, it now behoveth me to tell,
Saying: Let any maid that would be well
Esteemed keep with her: for as she goes by,
Into foul hearts a deathly chill is driven
By Love, that makes ill thought to perish there:
While any who endures to gaze on her
Must either be ennobled, or else die.
When one deserving to be raised so high
Is found, ’tis then her power attains its proof,
Making his heart strong for his soul’s behoof
With the full strength of meek humility.
Also this virtue owns she, by God’s will:
Who speaks with her can never come to ill.

[ 82 ]

he few Life

Love saith concerning her: ‘‘ How chanceth it
That flesh, which is of dust, should be thus
pure?”
Then, gazing always, he makes oath: “ Forsure,
This is a creature of God till now unknown.”
She hath that paleness of the pearl that’s fit
In a fair woman, so much and not more;
She is as high as Nature’s skill can soar;
Beauty is tried by her comparison.
Whatever her sweet eyes are turned upon,
Spirits of love do issue thence in flame,
Which through their eyes who then may look on
them
Pierce to the heart’s deep chamber every one.
And in her smile Love’s image you may see;
Whence none can gaze upon her steadfastly.

Dear Song, I know thou wilt hold gentle speech
With many ladies, when I send thee forth:
Wherefore (being mindful that thou hadst thy

birth
From Love, and art a modest, simple child),

Whomso thou meetest, say thou this to each:
“Give me good speed! To her I wend along
In whose much strength my weakness is made

strong.”
And if, i’ the end, thou wouldst not be beguiled
Of all thy labour, seek not the defiled
And common sort; but rather choose to be’
Where man and woman dwell in courtesy.
So to the road thou shalt be reconciled,
And find the lady, and with the lady, Love.
Commend thou me to each, as doth behove.

This poem, that it may be better understood, I
mill divide more subtly than the others preceding;

[ 33 ]

Che Rew Life

and therefore I will make three parts of it. The
first part is a proem to the words following. The
second is the matter treated of. The third is, as
it were, a handmaid to the preceding words. The
second begins here, “ An Angel;” the third here,
“ Dear Song, I know.” The first part is divided
into four. In the first, I say to whom I mean to
speak of my lady, and wherefore I will so speak.
In the second, I say what she appears to myself
to be when I reflect upon her excellence, and what
I would utter if I lost not courage. In the third,
I say what it is I purpose to speak so as not to be
impeded by faintheartedness. In the fourth, re-
peating to whom I purpose speaking, I tell the
reason why I speak to them. The second begins
here, “ And I declare;” the third here, “ Where-
fore I will not speak;” the fourth here, “ With
you alone.” Then, when I say “ An Angel,” I be-
gin treating of this lady: and this part is divided
into two. In the first, I tell what is understood of
her in heaven. In the second, I tell what is under-
stood of her on earth: here, “ My lady is desired.”
This second part is divided into two; for, in the
first, I speak of her as regards the nobleness of her
soul, relating some of her virtues proceeding from
her soul; in the second, I speak of her as regards
the nobleness of her body, narrating some of her
beauties: here, “ Love saith concerning her.” This
second part is divided into two, for, in the first, I
speak of certain beauties which belong to the whole
person; in the second, I speak of certain beauties
which belong to a distinct part of the person: here,
“ Whatever her sweet eyes.” This second part is
divided into two; for, in the one, I speak of the
eyes, which are the beginning of love; in the sec-

[ $4 ]

Zhe New Life

ond, I speak of the mouth, which is the end of love.
And that every vicious thought may be discarded
herefrom, let the reader remember that it is above
written that the greeting of this lady, which was
an act of her mouth, was the goal of my desires,
while I could receive it. Then, when I say, “ Dear
Song, I know,” I add a stanza as it were handmaid
to the others, wherein I say what I desire from this
my poem. And because this last part is easy to
understand, I trouble not myself mith more di-
visions. I say, indeed, that the further to open the
meaning of this poem, more minute divisions ought
to be used; but nevertheless he who is not of wit
enough to understand it by these which have been
already made is welcome to leave it alone; for
certes, I fear I have communicated its sense to too
many by these present divisions, if it so happened
that many should hear it.

When this song was a little gone abroad, a certain
one of my friends, hearing the same, was pleased to
question me, that I should tell him what thing love
is; it may be, conceiving from the words thus heard
a hope of me beyond my desert. Wherefore I,
thinking that after such discourse it were well to
say somewhat of the nature of Love, and also in
accordance with my friend’s desire, proposed to
myself to write certain words in the which I should
treat of this argument. And the sonnet that I then
made is this :—

Love and the gentle heart are one same thing,
Even as the wise man in his ditty saith:
Each, of itself, would be such life in death

As rational soul bereft of reasoning.

[ 35 ]

Zhe jeew Dife

*Tis Nature makes them when she loves: a king
Love is, whose palace where he sojourneth
Is called the Heart; there draws he quiet breath
At first, with brief or longer slumbering.
Then beauty seen in virtuous womankind
Will make the eyes desire, and through the heart
Send the desiring of the eyes again;
Where often it abides so long enshrin’d
That Love at length out of his sleep will start.
And women feel the same for worthy men.

This sonnet is divided into two parts. In the first,
I speak of him according to his power. In the sec-
ond, I speak of him according as his power trans-
lates itself into act. The second part begins here,
“ Then beauty seen.” The first is divided into two.
In the first, I say in what subject this power exists.
In the second, I say how this subject and this power
are produced together, and how the one regards the
other, as form does matter. The second begins
here, “’Tis Nature.” Afterwards when I say,
“ Then beauty seen in virtuous womankind,” I say
how this power translates itself into act; and, first,
how it so translates itself in a man, then how it so
translates itself in a woman: here, “ And women

feel.”

Having treated of love in the foregoing, it ap-
peared to me that I should also say something in
praise of my lady, wherein it might be set forth
how love manifested itself when produced by her;
and how not only she could awaken it where it slept,
but where it was not she could marvellously create
it. To the which end I wrote another sonnet; and
it is this :—

[ 36 ]

Che frew Life

My lady carries love within her eyes;

All that she looks on is made pleasanter ;

Upon her path men turn to gaze at her;

He whom she greeteth feels his heart to rise,
And droops his troubled visage, full of sighs, —

And of his evil heart is then aware:

Hate loves, and pride becomes a worshipper.
O women, help to praise her in somewise.
Humbleness, and the hope that hopeth well,

By speech of hers into the mind are brought,

And who beholds is blesséd oftenwhiles.
The look she hath when she a little smiles

Cannot be said, nor holden in the thought;

*Tis such a new and gracious miracle.

This sonnet has three sections. In the first, I say
how this lady brings this power into action by those
most noble features, her eyes; and, in the third, I
say this same as to that most noble feature, her
mouth. And between these two sections is a little
section, which asks, as it were, help for the previous
section, and the subsequent; and it begins here, “ O
momen, help.” The third begins here, “ Humble-
ness.” The first is divided into three; for, in the
first, I say how she with power makes noble that
which she looks upon; and this is as much as to say
that she brings Love, in power, thither where he is
not. In the second, I say how she brings Love, in
act, into the hearts of all those whom she sees. In
the third, I tell what she afterwards, with virtue,
operates upon their hearts. The second begins,
“ Upon her path; ” the third, “ He whom she greet~
eth.” Then, when I say, “ O women, help,” I inti-
mate to whom it is my intention to speak, calling on
women to help me to honour her. Then, when I say

[ 87 ]

Che jrew Life

“ Humbleness,” I say that same which is said in the
first part, regarding two acts of her mouth, one
whereof is her most sweet speech, and the other her
marvellous smile. Only, I say not of this last how
it operates upon the hearts of others, because

memory cannot retain this smile, nor its operation.

Not many days after this (it being the will of the
most High God, who also from Himself put not
away death), the father of wonderful Beatrice, go-
ing out of this life, passed certainly into glory.
Thereby it happened, as of very sooth it might not
be otherwise, that this lady was made full of the
bitterness of grief: seeing that such a parting is
very grievous unto those friends who are left, and
that no other friendship is like to that between a
good parent and a good child; and furthermore con-
sidering that this lady was good in the supreme de-
gree, and her father (as by many it hath been truly
averred) of exceeding goodness. And because it is
the usage of that city that men meet with men in
such a grief, and women with women, certain ladies
of her companionship gathered themselves unto
Beatrice, where she kept alone in her weeping: and
as they passed in and out, I could hear them speak
concerning her, how she wept. At length two. of
them went by me, who said: “‘ Certainly she grieveth
in such sort that one might die for pity, beholding
her.” Then, feeling the tears upon my face, I put
up my hands to hide them; and had it not been that
I hoped to hear more concerning her (seeing that
where I sat, her friends passed continually in and
out), I should assuredly have gone thence to be
alone, when I felt the tears come. But as I still sat
in that place, certain ladies again passed near me,

[ 38 ]

Che Few Life

who were saying among themselves: “ Which of us
shall be joyful any more, who have listened to this
lady in her piteous sorrow?” And there were
others who said as they went by me: “ He that sit-
teth here could not weep more if he had beheld her
as we have beheld her;” and again: “ He is so
altered that he seemeth not as himself.” And still
as the ladies passed to and fro, I could hear them
speak after this fashion of her and of me.

Wherefore afterwards, having considered and
perceiving that there was herein matter for poesy,
I resolved that I would write certain rhymes in the
which should be contained all that those ladies had
said. And because I would willingly have spoken to
them if it had not been for discreetness, I made in
my rhymes as though I had spoken and they
had answered me. And thereof I wrote two son-
nets; in the first of which I addressed them as I
would fain have done; and in the second related
their answer, using the speech that I had heard
from them, as though it had been spoken unto my-
self. And the sonnets are these:—

I.

You that thus wear a modest countenance
With lids weigh’d down by the heart’s heaviness,
Whence come you, that among you every face
Appears the same, for its pale troubled glance?
Have you beheld my lady’s face, perchance,
Bow’d with the grief that Love makes full of
grace?
Say now, “ This thing is thus; ” as my heart says,
Marking your grave and sorrowful advance.

[ 89 ]

Che Few Life

And if indeed you come from where she sighs
And mourns, may it please you (for his heart’s
relief ) :
To tell how it fares with her unto him
Who knows that you have wept, seeing your eyes,
And is so grieved with looking on your grief
That his heart trembles and his sight grows
dim.

This sonnet is divided into two parts. In the first,
I call and ask these ladies whether they come from
her, telling them that I think they do, because they
return the nobler. In the second, I pray them to tell
me of her; and the second begins here, “ And if
indeed.”

i:

Cansrt thou indeed be he that still would sing
Of our dear lady unto none but us?
For though thy voice confirms that it is thus, -
Thy visage might another witness bring.
And wherefore is thy grief so sore a thing
That grieving thou mak’st others dolorous?
Hast thou too seen her weep, that thou from us
Canst not conceal thine inward sorrowing?
Nay, leave our woe to us: let us alone:
*Twere sin if one should strive to soothe our woe,
For in her weeping we have heard her speak:
Also her look’s so full of her heart’s moan
That they who should behold her, looking so,
Must fall aswoon, feeling all life grow weak.

This sonnet has four parts, as the ladies in whose
person I reply had four forms of answer. And, be-

[ 40 ]

Che fraew Life

cause these are sufficiently shown above, I stay not
to explain the purport of the parts, and therefore
I only discriminate them. The second begins here,
“And wherefore is thy grief;” the third here,
“ Nay, leave our woe;” the fourth, “ Also hex,
look.”

A few days after this, my body became afflicted
with a painful infirmity, whereby I suffered bitter
anguish for many days, which at last brought me
unto such weakness that I could no longer move.
And I remember that on the ninth day, being over-
come with intolerable pain, a thought came into my
mind concerning my lady: but when it had a little
nourished this thought, my mind returned to its
brooding over mine enfeebled body. And then per-
ceiving how frail a thing life is, even though health
keep with it, the matter seemed to me so pitiful that
I could not choose but weep; and weeping I said
within myself: “ Certainly it must some time come
to pass that the very gentle Beatrice will die.”
Then, feeling bewildered, I closed mine eyes; and
my brain began to be in travail as the brain of one
frantic, and to have such imaginations as_ here
follow. a

And at the first, it seemed to me that I saw certain
faces of women with their hair loosened, which
called out to me, “ Thou shalt surely die;” after
the which, other terrible and unknown appearances
said unto me, “ Thou art dead.” At length, as my
phantasy held on in its wanderings, I came to be
I knew not where, and to behold a throng of dis-
hevelled ladies wonderfully sad, who kept going
hither and thither weeping. Then the sun went
out, so that the stars showed themselves, and they

[ 41 J

Zhe Rew Life

were of such a colour that I knew they must be ©
weeping; and it seemed to me that the birds fell
dead out of the sky, and that there were great
earthquakes. With that, while I wondered in my
trance, and was filled with a grievous fear, I con-
ceived that a certain friend came unto me and said:
“Hast thou not heard? She that was thine excel-
lent lady hath been taken out of life.” Then I
began to weep very piteously; and not only in mine
imagination, but with mine eyes, which were wet
with tears. And I seemed to look towards Heaven,
and to behold a multitude of angels who were re-
turning upwards, having before them an exceed-
ingly white cloud: and these angels were singing
together gloriously, and the words of their song
were these: “ Osanna in excelsis;” and there was
no more that I heard. Then my heart that was so
full of love said unto me: “ It is true that our lady
lieth dead; ”’ and it seemed to me that I went to
look upon the body wherein that blessed and most
noble spirit had had its abiding-place. And so
strong was this idle imagining, that it made me to
behold my lady in death; whose head certain ladies
seemed to be covering with a white veil; and who
was so humble of her aspect that it was as though
she had said, “‘ I have attained to look on the begin-
ning of peace.” And therewithal I came unto such
humility by the sight of her, that I cried out upon
Death, saying: ‘“ Now come unto me, and be not
bitter against me any longer: surely, there where
thou hast been, thou hast learned gentleness.
Wherefore come now unto me who do greatly desire
thee : seest thou not that I wear thy colour al-
ready?” And when I had seen all those offices per-
formed that are fitting to be done unto the dead,

[ 42 ]

Che Kew Life

it seemed to me that I went back unto mine own
chamber, and looked up towards Heaven. And so
strong was my phantasy, that I wept again in very
truth, and said with my true voice: “O excellent
soul! how blessed is he that now looketh upon
thee!”

And as I said these words, with a painful anguish
of sobbing and another prayer unto Death, a young
and gentle lady, who had been standing beside me
where I lay, conceiving that I wept and cried out
because of the pain of mine infirmity, was taken
with trembling and began to shed tears, Whereby
other ladies, who were about the room, becoming
aware of my discomfort by reason of the moan
that she made, (who indeed was of my very near
kindred,) led her away from where I was, and then
set themselves to awaken me, thinking that I
dreamed, and saying: “‘ Sleep no longer, and be not
disquieted.”

Then, by their words, this strong imagination was
brought suddenly to an end, at the moment that I
was about to say, ‘‘ O Beatrice! peace be with thee.”
And already I had said, “‘ O Beatrice!’ when being
aroused, I opened mine eyes, and knew that it had
been a deception. But albeit I had indeed uttered
her name, yet my voice was so broken with sobs, that
it was not understood by these ladies; so that in
spite of the sore shame that I felt, I turned towards
them by Love’s counselling. And when they be-
held me, they began to say, “ He seemeth as one

* dead,” and to whisper among themselves, “ Let us
strive if we may not comfort him.” Whereupon
they spake to me many soothing words, and ques-
tioned me moreover touching the cause of my fear.
Then I, being somewhat reassured, and having per-

[ 43 ]

Che Pew Life

ceived that it was a mere phantasy, said unto them,
“ This thing it was that made me afeard;”’ and told
them of all that I had seen, from the beginning
even unto the end, but without once speaking the
name of my lady. Also, after I had recovered from
my sickness, I bethought me to write these things
in rhyme; deeming it a lovely thing to be known.
Whereof I wrote this poem :— :

A very pitiful lady, very young,
Exceeding rich in human sympathies,
Stood by, what time I clamour’d upon Death;
And at the wild words wandering on my tongue
And at the piteous look within mine eyes
She was affrighted, that sobs choked her
breath.
So by her weeping where I lay beneath,
Some other gentle ladies came to know
My state, and made her go:
Afterward, bending themselves over me,
One said, “‘ Awaken thee! ”
And one, “ What thing thy sleep disquieteth? ”
With that, my soul woke up from its eclipse,
The while my lady’s name rose to my lips:

But utter’d in a voice so sob-broken,
So feeble with the agony of tears,
That I alone might hear it in my heart;
And though that look was on my visage then
Which he who is ashamed so plainly wears,
Love made that I through shame held not
apart,
But gazed upon them. And my hue was suc
That they look’d at each other and thought of death;
Saying under their breath

[ 44 ]

Che jeew Life

Most tenderly, “ O let us comfort him: ”
Then unto me: “ What dream
Was thine, that it hath shaken thee so much? ”
And when I was a little comforted,
“ This, ladies, was the dream I dreamt,” I said.

“| was a-thinking how life fails with us
Suddenly after such a little while;
When Love sobb’d in my heart, which is his
home.
Whereby my spirit wax’d so dolorous
That in myself I said, with sick recoil:
* Yea, to my lady too this Death must come.’
And therewithal such a bewilderment
Possess’d me, that I shut mine eyes for peace;
And in my brain did cease
Order of thought, and every healthful thing.
Afterwards, wandering
Amid a swarm of doubts that came and went,
Some certain women’s faces hurried by,
And shriek’d to me, ‘ Thou too shalt die, shalt die!’

“Then saw I many broken hinted sights
In the uncertain state I stepp’d into.
Meseem’d to be I know not in what place,
Where ladies through the street, like mournful
lights,
Ran with loose hair, and eyes that frighten’d you
By their own terror, and a pale amaze:
The while, little by little, as I thought,
The sun ceased, and the stars began to gather,
And each wept at the other;
And birds dropp’d in mid-flight out of the sky ;
And earth shook suddenly ;
And I was ’ware of one, hoarse and tired out,

[ 45 ]

Ghe jrew Life

Who ask’d of me: ‘ Hast thou not heard it said? ...
Thy lady, she that was so fair, is dead.’

“ Then lifting up mine eyes, as the tears came,
I saw the Angels, like a rain of manna,
In a long flight flying back Heavenward;
Having a little cloud in front of them,
After the which they went and said, ‘ Hosanna; ’
And if they had said more, you should have
heard.
Then Love said, ‘ Now shall all things be made
clear:
Come and behold our lady where she lies.’
These ’wildering phantasies
Then carried me to see my lady dead.
Even as I there was led,
Her ladies with a veil were covering her;
And with her was such very humbleness |
That she appeared to say, ‘I am at peace.’

“‘ And I became so humble in my grief,
Seeing in her such deep humility,
That I said: ‘ Death, I hold thee passing good
Henceforth, and a most gentle sweet relief,
Since my dear love has chosen to dwell with thee:
Pity, not hate, is thine, well understood.
Lo! I do so desire to see thy face
That I am like as one who nears the tomb;
My soul entreats thee, Come.’
Then I departed, having made my moan;
And when I was alone
I said, and cast my eyes to the High Place:
‘Blessed is he, fair soul, who meets thy glance!’
‘ Just then you woke me, of your com-
plaisatince.”

[ 46 ]

he jeew Life

This poem has two parts. In the first, speaking
to a person undefined, I tell how I was aroused from
a vain phantasy by certain ladies, and how I prom-
ised them to tell what it was. In the second I say
how I told them. The second part begins here, “ I
mas a-thinking.” The first part divides into two.
In the first, I tell that which certain ladies, and
which one singly, did and said because of my phan-
tasy, before I had returned into my right senses.
In the second, I tell what these ladies said to me
after I had left off this wandering: and it begins
here, “‘ But uttered in a voice.” Then, when I say,
“I was a-thinking,” I say how I told them this my
imagination; and concerning this I have two parts.
In the first, I tell, in order, this imagination. In
the second, saying at what time they called me, I
covertly thank them: and this part begins here,
“ Just then you woke me.”

After this empty imagining, it happened on a
day, as I sat thoughtful, that I was taken with such
a strong trembling at the heart, that it could not
have been otherwise in the presence of my lady.
Whereupon I perceived that there was an appear-
ance of Love beside me, and I seemed to see him
coming from my lady; and he said, not aloud but
within my heart: ““ Now take heed that thou bless
the day when I entered into thee; for it is fitting
that thou shouldst do so.” And with that my heart
was so full of gladness, that I could hardly believe
it to be of very truth mine own heart and not
another.

A short while after these words which my heart
spoke to me with the tongue of Love, I saw coming
towards me a certain lady who was very famous for

[ 47 ]

Zhe jeew Life

her beauty, and of whom that friend whom I have
already called the first among my friends had long
been enamoured. This lady’s right name was Joan;
but because of her comeliness (or at least it was so
imagined) she was called of many Primavera
(Spring), and went by that name among them.
Then looking again, I perceived that the most noble
Beatrice followed after her. And when both these
ladies had passed by me, it seemed to me that Love
spake again in my heart, saying: ‘‘ She that came
first was called Spring, only because of that which
was to happen on this day. And it was I myself
who caused that name to be given her; seeing that
as the Spring cometh first in the year, so should she
come first on this day, when Beatrice was to show
herself after the vision of her servant. And even
if thou go about to consider her right name, it is
also as one should say, ‘ She shall come first; ’ in-
asmuch as her name, Joan, is taken from that John
who went before the True Light, saying: ‘ Ego vor
clamantis in deserto: Parate viam Domini.’”” And
also it seemed to me that he added other words, to
wit: “‘He who should inquire delicately touching
this matter, could not but call Beatrice by mine
own name, which is to say, Love; beholding her so
like unto me.”

Then I, having thought of this, imagined to
write it with rhymes and send it unto my chief
friend; but setting aside certain words which
seemed proper to be set aside, because I believed
that his heart still regarded the beauty of her that
was called Spring. And I wrote this sonnet :—

I rer a spirit of love begin to stir
Within my heart, long time unfelt till then;

[ 48 ]

Zhe few Life

And saw Love coming towards me, fair and fain,
(That I scarce knew him for his joyful cheer,)
Saying, “‘ Be now indeed my worshipper!”

And in his speech he laugh’d and laugh’d again.

Then, while it was his pleasure to remain,

I chanced to look the way he had drawn near,
And saw the Ladies Joan and Beatrice
Approach me, this the other following,
One and a second marvel instantly.
And even as now my memory speaketh this,
Love spake it then: “ The first is christen’d
Spring;
The second Love, she is so like to me.”

This sonnet has many parts: whereof the first
tells how I felt awakened within my heart the accus-
tomed tremor, and how it seemed that Love ap-
peared to me joyful from afar. The second says
how it appeared to me that Love spake within my
heart, and what was his aspect. The third tells hon,
after he had in such wise been with me a space, I
saw and heard certain things. The second part
begins here, “ Saying, ‘ Be now;’” the third here,
“ Then, while it was his pleasure.” The third part
divides into two. In the first, I say what I sam.
In the second, I say what I heard; and it begins
here, “ Love spake it then.”

It might be here objected unto me, (and even by
one worthy of controversy,) that I have spoken of
Love as though it were a thing outward and visible:
not only a spiritual essence, but as a bodily sub-
stance also. The which thing, in absolute truth, is
a fallacy; Love not being of itself a substance, but
an accident of substance. Yet that I speak of

[ 49 J

Che feew Life

Love as though it were a thing tangible and even
human, appears by three things which I say there-
of. And firstly, I say that I perceived Love coming -
towards me; whereby, seeing that to come bespeaks ~
locomotion, and seeing also how philosophy teach-
eth us that none but a corporeal substance hath
locomotion, it seemeth that I speak of Love as of a
corporeal substance. And secondly, I say that
Love smiled: and thirdly, that Love spake; facul-
ties (and especially the risible faculty) which
appear proper unto man: whereby it further seem-
eth that I speak of Love as of a man. Now that
this matter may be explained, (as is fitting,) it must
first be remembered that anciently they who wrote
poems of Love wrote not in the vulgar tongue, but
rather certain poets in the Latin tongue. I mean,
among us, although perchance the same may have
been among others, and although likewise, as
among the Greeks, they were not writers of spoken
language, but men of letters treated of these things.
And indeed it is not a great number of years since
poetry began to be made in the vulgar tongue; the
writing of rhymes in spoken language correspond-
ing to the writing in metre of Latin verse, by a
certain analogy. And I say that it is but a little
while, because if we examine the language of oco
and the language of si, we shall not find in those
tongues any written thing of an earlier date than
the last hundred and fifty years. Also the reason
why certain of a very mean sort obtained at the first
some fame as poets is, that before them no man had
written verses in the language of si: and of these,
the first was moved to the writing of such verses by
the wish to make himself understood of a certain
lady, unto whom Latin poetry was difficult. This

[ 50 ]

Che Rew Life

thing is against such as rhyme concerning other
matters than love; that mode of speech having been
first used for the expression of love alone. Where-
fore, seeing that poets have a license allowed them
that is not allowed unto the writers of prose, and
seeing also that they who write in rhyme are simply
poets in the vulgar tongue, it becomes fitting and
reasonable that a larger license should be given to
these than to other modern writers; and that any
metaphor or rhetorical similitude which is permitted
unto poets, should also be counted not unseemly in
the rhymers of the vulgar tongue. Thus, if we per-
ceive that the former have caused inanimate things
to speak as though they had sense and reason, and
to discourse one with another; yea, and not only
actual things, but such also as have no real exist-
ence, (seeing that they have made things which are
not, to speak; and oftentimes written of those
which are merely accidents as though they were
substances and things human) ; it should therefore
be permitted to the latter to do the like; which is to
say, not inconsiderably, but with such sufficient
motive as may afterwards be set forth in prose.
That the Latin poets have done thus, appears
through Virgil, where he saith that Juno (to wit, a
goddess hostile to the Trojans) spake unto Holus,
master of the Winds; as it is written in the first
book of the Aineid, Hole, namque tibi, etc.; and
that this master of the Winds made reply: T'uus, o
regina, quid optes—Ezplorare labor, mihi jussa
capessere fas est. And through the same poet, the
inanimate thing speaketh unto the animate, in the
third book of the Eneid, where it is written: Darda-
nide duri, etc. With Lucan, the animate thing
speaketh to the inanimate; as thus: Multum, Roma,

[51]

Che yrew Life

tamen debes civilibus armis. In Horace, man is
made to speak to his own intelligence as unto an-
other person; (and not only hath Horace. done this,

but herein he followeth the excellent Homer), as
thus in his Poetics: Dic mihi, Musa, virum, ete.
Through Ovid, Love speaketh as a human creature,
in the beginning of his discourse De Remediis
Amoris: as thus: Bella mihi, video, bella parantur,
ait. By which ensamples this thing shall be made
manifest unto such as may be offended at any part
of this my book. And lest some of the common sort
should be moved to jeering hereat, I will here add,
that neither did these ancient poets speak thus with-
out consideration, nor should they who are makers
of rhyme in our day write after the same fashion,
having no reason in what they write; for it were a
shameful thing if one should rhyme under the sem-
blance of metaphor or rhetorical similitude, and
afterwards, being questioned thereof, should be un-
able to rid his words of such semblance, unto their
right understanding. Of whom, (to wit, of such as
rhyme thus foolishly,) myself and the first among
my friends do know many.

But returning to the matter of my discourse.
This excellent lady, of whom I spake in what hath
gone before, came at last into such favour with all
men, that when she passed anywhere folk ran to
behold her; which thing was a deep joy to me: and
when she drew near unto any, so much truth and
simpleness entered into his heart, that he dared
neither to lift his eyes nor to return her salutation:
and unto this, many who have felt it can bear wit-
ness. She went along crowned and clothed with
humility, showing no whit of pride in all that she
heard and saw: and when she had gone by, it was

[ 52 ]

Zhe Few Life

said of many, “ This is not a woman, but one of the
beautiful angels of Heaven; ” and there were some
that said: ‘‘ This is surely a miracle; blessed be the
Lord, who hath power to work thus marvellously.”
I say, of very sooth, that she showed herself so
gentle and so full of all perfection, that she bred
in those who looked upon her a soothing quiet be-
yond any speech; neither could any look upon her
without sighing immediately. These things, and
things yet more wonderful, were brought to pass
through her miraculous virtue. Wherefore I, con-
sidering thereof and wishing to resume the endless
tale of her praises, resolved to write somewhat
wherein I might dwell on her surpassing influence;
to the end that not only they who had beheld her,
but others also, might know as much concerning her
as words could give to the understanding. And it
was then that I wrote this sonnet :—

My lady looks so gentle and so pure

When yielding salutation by the way,

That the tongue trembles and has nought to say,
And the eyes, which fain would see, may not endure.
And still, amid the praise she hears secure,

She walks with humbleness for her array;

Seeming a creature sent from Heaven to stay
On earth, and. show a miracle made sure.

She is so pleasant in the eyes of men
That through the sight the inmost heart doth gain

A sweetness which needs proof to know it by:
And from between her lips there seems to move
A soothing essence that is full of love,

Saying for ever to the spirit, “ Sigh!”

This sonnet is so easy to understand, from what
is afore narrated, that it needs no division; and

[ 53 ]

he Rew ite

therefore, leaving it, I say also that this excellent
lady came into such favour with all men, that not
only she herself was honoured and commended, but
through her companionship, honour and commenda-
tion came unto others. Wherefore I, perceiving
this, and wishing that it should also be made man-
ifest to those that beheld it not, wrote the sonnet
here following; wherein is signified the power which
her virtue had upon other ladies :—

For certain he hath seen all perfectness
Who among other ladies hath seen mine:
They that go with her humbly should combine
To thank their God for such peculiar grace.
So perfect is the beauty of her face
That it begets in no wise any sign
Of envy, but draws round her a clear line
Of love, and blessed faith, and gentleness.
Merely the sight of her makes all things bow:
Not she herself alone is holier
Than all; but hers, through her, are raised
above.
From all her acts such lovely graces flow
That truly one may never think of her
Without a passion of exceeding love.

This sonnet has three parts. In the first, I say in
what company this lady appeared most wondrous.
In the second, I say how gracious was her society.
In the third, I tell of the things which she, with
power, worked upon others. The second begins
here, “ They that go mith her; ” the third here,“ So
perfect.” This last part divides into three. In the
first, I tell what she operated upon women, that is,
by their own faculties. In the second, I tell what

[ 54 J

Che few Life

she operated in them through others. In the third,
I say how she not only operated in women, but in all
people; and not only while herself present, but, by
memory of her, operated wondrously. The second
begins here, “ Merely the sight;” the third here,
“ From all her acts.”

Thereafter on a day, I began to consider that
which I had said of my lady: to wit, in these two
sonnets aforegone: and becoming aware that I had
not spoken of her immediate effect on me at that
especial time, it seemed to me that I had spoken de-
fectively. Whereupon I resolved to write somewhat
of the manner wherein I was then subject to her
influence, and of what her influence then was. And
conceiving that I should not be able to say these
things in the small compass of a sonnet, I began
therefore a poem with this beginning :—

Love hath so long possessed me for his own

And made his lordship so familiar
That he, who at first irked me, is now grown

Unto my heart as its best secrets are.

And thus, when he in such sore wise doth mar
My life that all its strength seems gone from it,
Mine inmost being then feels thoroughly quit

Of anguish, and all evil keeps afar.

Love also gathers to such power in me

That my sighs speak, each one a grievous thing,

Always soliciting
My lady’s salutation piteously.

Whenever she beholds me, it is so,

Who is more sweet than any words can show.
* *% * * *
* * * * *

[ 55 ]

Che Pew Life

Quomodo sedet sola civitas plena populo! facta
est quasi vidua domina gentium!

I was still occupied with this poem, (having com-
posed thereof only the above-written stanza,) when
the Lord God of justice called my most gracious
lady unto Himself, that she might be glorious under
the banner of that blessed Queen Mary, whose name
had always a deep reverence in the words of holy
Beatrice. And because haply it might be found
good that I should say somewhat concerning her
departure, I will herein declare what are the reasons
which make that I shall not do so.

And the reasons are three. The first is, that such
matter belongeth not of right to the present argu-
ment, if one consider the opening of this little book.
The second is, that even though the present argu-
ment required it, my pen doth not suffice to write in
a fit manner of this thing. And the third is, that
were it both possible and of absolute necessity, it
would still be unseemly for me to speak thereof,
seeing that thereby it must behove me to speak also
mine own praises: a thing that in whosoever doeth
it is worthy of blame. For the which reasons, I
will leave this matter to be treated of by some other
than myself.

Nevertheless, as the number nine, which number
hath often had mention in what hath gone before,
(and not, as it might appear, without reason,) seems
also to have borne a part in the manner of her
death: it is therefore right that I should say some-
what thereof. And for this cause, having first said
what was the part it bore herein, I will afterwards
point out a reason which made that this number was
so closely allied unto my lady.

[ 56]

Che few Life

I say, then, that according to the division of time
in Italy, her most noble spirit departed from among
us in the first hour of the ninth day of the month;
and according to the division of time in Syria, in
the ninth month of the year: seeing that Tismim,
which with us is October, is there the first month.
Also she was taken from among us in that year of
our reckoning (to wit, of the years of our Lord) in
which the perfect number was nine times multiplied
within that century wherein she was born into the
world: which is to say, the thirteenth century of
Christians.

And touching the reason why this number was so
closely allied unto her, it may peradventure be this.
According to Ptolemy, (and also to the Christian
verity), the revolving heavens are nine; and accord-
ing to the common opinion among astrologers, these
nine heavens together have influence over the earth.
Wherefore it would appear that this number was
thus allied unto her for the purpose of signifying
that, at her birth, all these nine heavens were at
perfect unity with each other as to their influence.
This is one reason that may be brought: but more
narrowly considering, and according to the infal-
lible truth, this number was her own self: that is to
say, by similitude. As thus. The number three is
the root of the number nine; seeing that without the
interposition of any other number, being multiplied
merely by itself, it produceth nine, as we manifestly
perceive that three times three are nine. Thus, three
being of itself the efficient of nine, and the Great
Efficient of Miracles being of Himself Three Per-
sons, (to wit: the Father, the Son, and the Holy
Spirit,) which, being Three, are also One:—this
lady was accompanied by the number nine to the

[57]

he seew Dife

end that men might clearly perceive her to be anine, |
that is, a miracle, whose only root is the Holy Trin-
ity. It may be that a more subtile person would find
for this thing a reason of greater subtilty: but such
is the reason that I find, and that liketh me best.

After this most gracious creature had gone out
from among us, the whole city came to be as it were
widowed and despoiled of all dignity. Then J, left
mourning in this desolate city, wrote unto the prin-
cipal persons thereof, in an epistle, concerning its
condition ; taking for my commencement those words
of Jeremias: Quomodo sedet sola civitas! etc. And
I make mention of this, that none may marvel
wherefore I set down these words before, in begin-
ning to treat of her death. Also if any should blame
me, in that I do not transcribe that epistle whereof
I have spoken, I will make it mine excuse that I
began this little book with the intent that it should
be written altogether in the vulgar tongue; where-
fore, seeing that the epistle I speak of is in Latin,
it belongeth not to mine undertaking: more espe-
cially as I know that my chief friend, for whom I
write this book, wished also that the whole of it
should be in the vulgar tongue.

When mine eyes had wept for some while, until
they were so weary with weeping that I could no
longer through them give ease to my sorrow, I be-
thought me that a few mournful words might stand
me instead of tears. And therefore I proposed to
make a poem, that weeping I might speak therein
of her for whom so much sorrow had destroyed my
spirit; and I then began “ The eyes that weep.”

That this poem may seem to remain the more
nidowed at its close, I will divide it before writing
it; and this method I will observe henceforward. I

[ 58 ]

Gbhe geew Life

say that this poor little poem has three parts. The
first is a prelude. In the second, I speak of her.
In the third, I speak pitifully to the poem. The
second begins here, “ Beatrice is gone up;” the
third here, “ Weep, pitiful Song of mine.” The
first divides into three. In the first, I say what
moves me to speak. In the second, I say to whom
I mean to speak. In the third, I say of whom I
mean to speak. The second begins here, “ And be-
cause often, thinking ;” the third here, “ And I will
say.” Then, when I say, “ Beatrice is gone up,” I
speak of her; and concerning this I have two parts.
First, I tell the cause why she was taken away
from us: afterwards, I say how one weeps her part-
ing; and this part commences here, “ Wonderfully.”
This part divides into three. In the first, I say who
it is that weeps her not. In the second, I say who
it is that doth weep her. In the third, I speak of
my condition. The second begins here, “ But sigh-
ing comes, and grief;” the third, “ With sighs.”
Then, when I say, “ Weep, pitiful Song of mine,”
I speak to this my song, telling it what ladies to
go to, and stay mith.

Tue eyes that weep for pity of the heart
Have wept so long that their grief languisheth,
And they have no more tears to weep withal:
And now, if I would ease me of a part |
Of what, little by little, leads to death,
It must be done by speech, or not at all.
And because often, thinking, I recall
How it was pleasant, ere she went afar,
To talk of her with you, kind damozels,
I talk with no one else,
But only with such hearts as women’s are.

[ 59 ]

Che Few Life

And I will say,—still sobbing as speech fails,—~ _
That she hath gone to Heaven suddenly,
And hath left Love below, to mourn with me.

Beatrice is gone up into high Heaven,
The kingdom where the angels are at peace; .
And lives with them; and to her friends is dead.
Not by the frost of winter was she driven
Away, like others; nor by summer-heats;
But through a perfect gentleness, instead.
For from the lamp of her meek lowlihead
Such an exceeding glory went up hence
That it woke wonder in the Eternal Sire,
Until a sweet desire
Entered Him for that lovely excellence,
So that He bade her to Himself aspire;
Counting this weary and most evil place
Unworthy of a thing so full of grace.

Wonderfully out of the beautiful form
Soared her clear spirit, waxing glad the while;
And is in its first home, there where it is.
Who speaks thereof, and feels not the tears warm
Upon his face, must have become so vile
As to be dead to all sweet sympathies.
Out upon him! an abject wretch like this
May not imagine anything of her,—
He needs no bitter tears for his relief.
But sighing comes, and grief,
And the desire to find no comforter,
(Save only Death, who makes all sorrow brief),
To him who for a while turns in his thought
How she hath been among us, and is not.

[ 60 ]

Che few Life

With sighs my bosom always laboureth

In thinking, as I do continually,

Of her for whom my heart now breaks apace;
And very often when I think of death,

Such a great inward longing comes to me
That it will change the colour of my face;
And, if the idea settles in its place,

All my limbs shake as with an ague-fit:
Till, starting up in wild bewilderment,
I do become so shent
That I go forth, lest folk misdoubt of it.

Afterward, calling with a sore lament
On Beatrice, I ask, “‘ Canst thou be dead? ”
And calling on her, I am comforted.

Grief with its tears, and anguish with its sighs,
Come to me now whene’er I am alone;
So that I think the sight of me gives pain.
And what my life hath been, that living dies,
Since for my lady the New Birth’s begun,
I have not any language to explain.
And so, dear ladies, though my heart were fain,
I scarce could tell indeed how I am thus.
All joy is with my bitter life at war;
Yea, I am fallen so far
That all men seem to say, “ Go out from us,”
Eyeing my cold white lips, how dead they are.
But she, though I be bowed unto the dust,
Watches me; and will guerdon me, I trust.

Weep, pitiful Song of mine, upon thy way,
To the dames going and the damozels
For whom and for none else
Thy sisters have made music many a day.
Thou, that art very sad and not as they,
Go dwell thou with them as a mourner dwells.

[ 61 ]

Che Pew Life

After I had written this poem, I received the visit
of a friend whom I counted as second unto me in
the degrees of friendship, and who, moreover, had
been united by the nearest kindred to that most
gracious creature. And when we had a little spoken
together, he began to solicit me that I would write
somewhat in memory of a lady who had died; and
he disguised his speech, so as to seem to be speak-
ing of another who was but lately dead: wherefore
I, perceiving that his speech was of none other than
that blessed one herself, told him that it should be
done as he required. Then afterwards, having
thought thereof, I imagined to give vent in a sonnet
to some part of my hidden lamentations; but in such
sort that it might seem to be spoken by this friend
of mine, to whom I was to give it. And the sonnet
saith thus: “‘ Stay now with me,” etc.

This sonnet has two parts. In the first, I call the
Faithful of Love to hear me. In the second, I re-
late my miserable condition. The second begins
here, “ Mark how they force.”

Stay now with me, and listen to my sighs,
Ye piteous hearts, as pity bids ye do.
Mark how they force their way out and press
through;
If they be once pent up, the whole life dies.
Seeing that now indeed my weary eyes

Oftener refuse than I can tell to you,

(Even though my endless grief is ever new,)
To weep and let the smothered anguish rise.
Also in sighing ye shall hear me call

On her whose blesséd presence doth enrich

The only home that well befitteth her:

[ 62 ]

he jeew Life

And ye shall hear a bitter scorn of all
Sent from the inmost of my spirit in speech
That mourns its joy and its joy’s minister.

But when I had written this sonnet, bethinking
me who he was to whom I was to give it, that it
might appear to be his speech, it seemed to me that
this was but a poor and barren gift for one of her
so near kindred. Wherefore, before giving him this
sonnet, I wrote two stanzas of a poem: the first
being written in very sooth as though it were spoken
by him, but the other being mine own speech, albeit,
unto one who should not look closely, they would
both seem to be said by the same person. Never-
theless, looking closely, one must perceive that it
is not so, inasmuch as one does not call this most
gracious creature his lady, and the other does, as is
manifestly apparent. And I gave the poem and the
sonnet unto my friend, saying that I had made them
only for him.

The poem begins, “ Whatever while,” and has
two parts. In the first, that is, in the first stanza,
this my dear friend, her kinsman, laments. In the
second, I lament; that is, in the other stanza, which
begins, “ For ever.” And thus it appears that in
this poem two persons lament, of whom one laments
as a brother, the other as a servant.

Wuatever while the thought comes over me
That I may not again
Behold that lady whom I mourn for now,
About my heart my mind brings constantly
So much of extreme pain
That I say, Soul of mine, why stayest thou?
Truly the anguish, Soul, that we must bow

[ 63 ]

Che rev Life

Beneath, until we win out of this life,
Gives me full oft a fear that trembleth:
So that I call on Death

Even as on Sleep one calleth after strife,
Saying, Come unto me. Life showeth grim
And bare; and if one dies, I envy him.

For ever, among all my sighs which burn,
There is a piteous speech
That clamours upon Death continually:
Yea, unto him doth my whole spirit turn
Since first his hand did reach
My lady’s life with most foul cruelty.
But from the height of woman’s fairness, she,
Going up from us with the joy we had,
Grew perfectly and spiritually fair;
That so she spreads even there
A light of Love which makes the Angels glad,
And even unto their subtle minds can bring
A certain awe of profound marvelling.

On that day which fulfilled the year since my
lady had been made of the citizens of eternal life,
remembering me of her as I sat alone, I betook
myself to draw the resemblance of an angel upon
certain tablets. And while I did thus, chancing to
turn my head, I perceived that some were standing
beside me to whom I should have given courteous
welcome, and that they were observing what I did:
also I learned afterwards that they had been there
a while before I perceived them. Perceiving whom,
I arose for salutation, and said: ‘Another was with
me."

Afterwards, when they had left me, I set myself »
again to mine occupation, to wit, to the drawing

[ 64 ]

Che Few Life

figures of angels: in doing which I conceived to
write of this matter in rhyme, as for her anni-
versary, and to address my rhymes unto those who
had just left me. It was then that I wrote the
sonnet which saith, “ That lady: ” and as this son-
net hath two commencements, it behoveth me to
divide it with both of them here.

I say that, according to the first, this sonnet has
three parts. In the first, I say that this lady was
then in my memory. In the second, I tell what Love
therefore did with me. In the third, I speak of the
effects of Love. The second begins here, “ Love,
knowing;” the third here, “ Forth went they.”
This part divides into two. In the one, I say that
all my sighs issued speaking. In the other, I say
how some spoke certain words different from the
others. The second begins here, “ And still.” In
this same manner is it divided with the other be-
ginning, save that, in the first part, I tell when this
lady had thus come into my mind, and this I say
not in the other.

Tuart lady of all gentle memories
Had lighted on my soul;—whose new abode
Lies now, as it was well ordained of God,
Among the poor in heart, where Mary is.
Love, knowing that dear image to be his,
Woke up within the sick heart sorrow-bow’d,
Unto the sighs which are its weary load
Saying, “Go forth.” And they went forth, I wis;
Forth went they from my breast that throbbed and
ached;
With such a pang as oftentimes will bathe
Mine eyes with tears when I am left alone.

[ 65 ]

Zhe few Life

And still those sighs which drew the heaviest
breath
Came whispering thus: “ O noble intellect!
It is a year to-day that thou art gone,”

Sreconp CoMMENCEMENT.

Tuat lady of all gentle memories
Had lighted on my soul ;—for whose sake flow’d
The tears of Love; in whom the power abode
Which led you to observe while I did this.
Love, knowing that dear image to be his, etc.

Then, having sat for some space sorely in thought
because of the time that was now past, I was so
filled with dolorous imaginings that it became out-
wardly manifest in mine altered countenance.
Whereupon, feeling this and being in dread lest any
should have seen me, I lifted mine eyes to look; and
then perceived a young and very beautiful lady,
who was gazing upon me from a window with a
gaze full of pity, so that the very sum of pity ap-
peared gathered together in her. And seeing that
unhappy persons, when they beget compassion in
others, are then most moved unto weeping, as though
they also felt pity for themselves, it came to pass
that mine eyes began to be inclined unto tears.
Wherefore, becoming fearful lest I should make
manifest mine abject condition, I rose up, and went
where I could not be seen of that lady; saying after-
wards within myself: ‘‘ Certainly with her also must
abide most noble Love.”’ And with that, I resolved
upon writing a sonnet, wherein, speaking unto her,
I should say all that I have just said. And as this
sonnet is very evident, I will not divide it:—

[ 66 ]

Che Rew Life

Mine eyes beheld the blessed pity spring
Into thy countenance immediately
A while agone, when thou beheldst in me
The sickness only hidden grief can bring;
And then I knew thou wast considering
How abject and forlorn my life must be;
And I became afraid that thou shouldst see
My weeping, and account it a base thing.
Therefore I went out from thee: feeling how
The tears were straightway loosened at my heart
Beneath thine eyes’ compassionate control.
And afterwards I said within my soul:
“ Lo! with this lady dwells the counterpart
Of the same Love who holds me weeping now.”

It happened after this, that whensoever I was
seen of this lady, she became pale and of a piteous
countenance, as though it had been with love;
whereby she remembered me many times of my own
most noble lady, who was wont to be of a like pale-
ness. And I know that often, when I could not
weep nor in any way give ease unto mine anguish,
I went to look upon this lady, who seemed to bring
the tears into my eyes by the mere sight of her. Of
the which thing I bethought me to speak unto her
in rhyme, and then made this sonnet: which begins,
“ Love’s pallor,” and which is plain without being
divided, by its exposition aforesaid :—

Lover’s pallor and the semblance of deep ruth
Were never yet shown forth so perfectly
In any lady’s face, chancing to see

Grief’s miserable countenance uncouth,

As in thine, lady, they have sprung to soothe,
When in mine anguish thou hast looked on me;
Until sometimes it seems as if, through thee,

[ 67 ]

Zhe few Life

My heart might almost wander from its truth.
Yet so it is, I cannot hold mine eyes
From gazing very often upon thine
In the sore hope to shed those tears they keep;
And at such time, thou mak’st the pent tears rise
Even to the brim, till the eyes waste and pine;
Yet cannot they, while thou art present, weep.

At length, by the constant sight of this lady, mine
eyes began to be gladdened overmuch with her com-
pany; through which thing many times I had much
unrest, and rebuked myself as a base person: also,
many times I cursed the unsteadfastness of mine
eyes, and said to them inwardly: “ Was not your
grievous condition of weeping wont one while to
make others weep? And will ye now forget this
thing because a lady looketh upon you? who so
looketh merely in compassion of the grief ye then
showed for your own blessed lady. But whatso ye
can, that do ye, accursed eyes! many a time will I
make you remember it! for never, till death dry you
up, should ye make an end of your weeping.”
And when I had spoken thus unto mine eyes, I was
taken again with extreme and grievous sighing.
And to the end that this inward strife which I had
undergone might not be hidden from all saving the
miserable wretch who endured it, I proposed to write
a sonnet, and to comprehend in it this horrible con-
dition. And I wrote this, which begins, “‘ The very
bitter weeping.”

The sonnet has two parts. In the first, I speak to
my eyes, as my heart spoke within myself. In the
second, I remove a difficulty, showing who it is that
speaks thus: and this part begins here, “ So far.”
It well might receive other divisions also; but this

[ 68 ]

Zhe Pew Life

would be useless, since it is manifest by the pre-
ceding exposition.

“ Tux very bitter weeping that ye made
So long a time together, eyes of mine,
Was wont to make the tears of pity shine
In other eyes full oft, as I have said.
But now this thing were scarce rememberéd
If I, on my part, foully would combine
With you, and not recall each ancient sign
Of grief, and her for whom your tears were shed.
It is your fickleness that doth betray
My mind to tears, and makes me tremble thus
What while a lady greets me with her eyes.
Except by death, we must not any way
Forget our lady who is gone from us.”
So far doth my heart utter, and then sighs.

The sight of this lady brought me into so un-
wonted a condition that I often thought of her as of
one too dear unto me; and I began to consider her
thus: “ This lady is young, beautiful, gentle, and
wise; perchance it was Love himself who set her
in my path, that so my life might find peace.” And
there were times when I thought yet more fondly,
until my heart consented unto its reasoning. But
when it had so consented, my thought would often
turn round upon me, as moved by reason, and cause
me to say within myself: ““ What hope is this which
would console me after so base a fashion, and which
hath taken the place of all other imagining? ”’ Also
there was another voice within me, that said: “‘ And
wilt thou, having suffered so much tribulation
through Love, not escape while yet thou mayst from
so much bitterness? Thou must surely know that

[ 69 ]

he jeew Life

this thought carries with it the desire of Love, and
drew its life from the gentle eyes of that lady who
vouchsafed thee so much pity.” Wherefore I,
having striven sorely and very often with myself,
bethought me to say somewhat thereof in rhyme.
And seeing that in the battle of doubts, the victory
most often remained with such as inclined towards
the lady of whom I speak, it seemed to me that I
should address this sonnet unto her: in the first line
whereof, I call that thought which spake of her a
gentle thought, only because it spoke of one who
was gentle; being of itself most vile.

In this sonnet I make myself into two, according
as my thoughts were divided one from the other.
The one part I call Heart, that is, appetite; the
other, Soul, that is, reason; and I tell what one saith
to the other. And that it is fitting to call the appe-
tite Heart, and the reason Soul, is manifest enough
to them to whom I wish this to be open. True it is
that, in the preceding sonnet, I take the part of the
Heart against the Eyes; and that appears contrary
to what I say in the present; and therefore I say
that, there also, by the Heart I mean appetite, be-
cause yet greater was my desire to remember my
most gentle lady than to see this other, although
indeed I had some appetite tonards her, but it ap-
peared slight: wherefrom it appears that the one
statement is not contrary to the other. This sonnet
has three parts. In the first, I begin to say to this
lady how my desires turn all towards her. In the
second, I say how the Soul, that is, the reason,
speaks to the Heart, that is, to the appetite. In
the third, I say how the latter answers. The second —
begins here, “ And what is this? ” the third here,
“ And the heart answers.”

[ 70 ]

Che yeew Life

A eentie thought there is will often start,
Within my secret self, to speech of thee:

Also of Love it speaks so tenderly
That much in me consents and takes its part.

“ And what is this,” the soul saith to the heart,

“ That cometh thus to comfort thee and me,

And thence where it would dwell, thus potently
Can drive all other thoughts by its strange art?”
And the heart answers: “ Be no more at strife

*T wixt doubt and doubt; this is Love’s messenger

And speaketh but his words, from him received ;
And all the strength it owns and all the life
It draweth from the gentle eyes of her
Who, looking on our grief, hath often grieved.”

But against this adversary of reason, there rose
up in me on a certain day, about the ninth hour, a
strong visible phantasy, wherein I seemed to behold
the most gracious Beatrice, habited in that crimson
raiment which she had worn when I had first be-
held her; also she appeared to me of the same tender
age as then. Whereupon I fell into deep thought
of her: and my memory ran back, according to the
order of time, unto all those matters in the which she
had borne a part; and my heart began painfully to
repent of the desire by which it had so basely let
itself be possessed during so many days, contrary
to the constancy of reason.

And then, this evil desire being quite gone from
me, all my thoughts turned again unto their excel-
lent Beatrice. And I say most truly that from that
hour I thought constantly of her with the whole
humbled and ashamed heart; the which became
often manifest in sighs, that had among them the
name of that most gracious creature, and how she

[71]

Che Rew Dife

departed from us. Also it would come to pass very
often, through the bitter anguish of some one
thought, that I forgot both it, and myself, and
where I was. By this increase of sighs, my weep-
ing, which before had been somewhat lessened, in-
creased in like manner; so that mine eyes seemed
to long only for tears and to cherish them, and came
at last to be circled about with red as though they
had suffered martyrdom: neither were they able to
look again upon the beauty of any face that might
again bring them to shame and evil: from which
things it will appear that they were fitly guerdoned
for their unsteadfastness. Wherefore I (wishing
that mine abandonment of all such evil desires and
vain temptations should be certified and made man-
ifest, beyond all doubts which might have been sug-
gested by the rhymes aforewritten) proposed to
write a sonnet wherein I should express this pur-
port. And I then wrote, ‘‘ Woe’s me!”

I said, “ Woe’s me!” because I was ashamed of
the trifling of mine eyes. This sonnet I do not
divide, since its purport is manifest enough.

Wor’s me! by dint of all these sighs that come
Forth of my heart, its endless grief to prove,
Mine eyes are conquered, so that even to move

Their lids for greeting is grown troublesome.

They wept so long that now they are grief’s home,
And count their tears all laughter far above:
They wept till they are circled now by Love

With a red circle in sign of martyrdom.

These musings, and the sighs they bring from me,
Are grown at last so constant and so sore

That love swoons in my spirit with faint
breath;

[ 72 ]

Che Pew Life

Hearing in those sad sounds continually
‘The most sweet name that my dead lady bore,
With many grievous words touching her death.

About this time, it happened that a great number
of persons undertook a pilgrimage, to the end that
they might behold that blessed portraiture be-
queathed unto us by our Lord Jesus Christ as the
image of His beautiful countenance, (upon which
countenance my dear lady now looketh continually).
And certain among these pilgrims, who seemed very
thoughtful, passed by a path which is well-nigh in
the midst of the city where my most gracious lady
was born, and abode, and at last died.

Then I, beholding them, said within myself:
“ These pilgrims seem to be come from very far;
and I think they cannot have heard speak of this
lady, or know anything concerning her. Their
thoughts are not of her, but of other things; it may
be, of their friends who are far distant, and whom
we, in our turn, know not.” And I went on to say:
“‘T know that if they were of a country near unto
us, they would in some wise seem disturbed, pass-
ing through this city which is so full of grief.”
And I said also: “If I could speak with them a
space, I am certain that I should make them weep
before they went forth of this city; for those things
that they would hear from me must needs beget
weeping in any.”

And when the last of them had gone by me, I
bethought me to write a sonnet, showing forth mine
inward speech; and that it might seem the more
pitiful, I made as though I had spoken it indeed
unto them. And I wrote this sonnet, which begin-
neth; “ Ye pilgrim-folk.” I made use of the word

[73]

he ew Life

pilgrim for its general signification; for “ pilgrim ”
may be understood in two senses, one general, and
one special. General, so far as any man may be
called a pilgrim who leaveth the place of his birth;
whereas, more narrowly speaking, he only is a pil-
grim who goeth towards or frowards the House of
St. James. For there are three separate denomina-
tions proper unto those who undertake journeys to
the glory of God. They are called Palmers who go
beyond the seas eastward, whence often they bring
palm-branches. And Pilgrims, as I have said, are
they who journey unto the holy House of Gallicia;
seeing that no other apostle was buried so far from
his birthplace as was the blessed Saint James. And
there is a third sort who are called Romers; in that
they go whither these whom I have called pilgrims
went: which is to say, unto Rome.

This sonnet is not divided, because its own words
sufficiently declare it.

Ye pilgrim-folk, advancing pensively
As if in thought of distant things, I pray,
Is your own land indeed so far away—
As by your aspect it would seem to be—
That this our heavy sorrow leaves you free
Though passing through the mournful town mid-
way;
Like unto men that understand to-day
Nothing at all of her great misery?
Yet if ye will but stay, whom I accost,
And listen to my words a little space,
At going ye shall mourn with a loud voice.
It is her Beatrice that she hath lost;
Of whom the least word spoken holds such grace
That men weep hearing it, and have no choice.

[74 ]

Ebhe Rew Life

A while after these things, two gentle ladies sent
unto me, praying that I would bestow upon them
certain of these my rhymes. And I (taking into
account their worthiness and consideration) re-
solved that I would write also a new thing, and send
it them together with those others, to the end that
their wishes might be more honourably fulfilled.
Therefore I made a sonnet, which narrates my con-
dition, and which I caused to be conveyed to them,
accompanied by the one preceding, and with that
other which begins, “ Stay now with me and listen
to my sighs.” And the new sonnet is, “ Beyond the
sphere.”

This sonnet comprises five parts. In the first, I
tell whither my thought goeth, naming the place by
the name of one of its effects. In the second, I say
wherefore it goeth up, and who makes it go thus.
In the third, I tell what it saw, namely, a lady hon-
oured. And I then call it a “ Pilgrim Spirit,” be-
cause it goes up spiritually, and like a pilgrim who
is out of his known country. In the fourth, I say
how the spirit sees her such (that is, in such
quality ) that I cannot understand her ; that is to say,
my thought rises into the quality of her in a degree
that my intellect cannot comprehend, seeing that
our intellect is, towards those blessed souls, like our
eye weak against the sun; and this the Philosopher
says in the Second of the Metaphysics. In the
fifth, I say that, although I cannot see there whither
my thought carries me—that is, to her admirable
essence—I at least understand this, namely, that it
is a thought of my lady, because I often hear her
name therein. And, at the end of this fifth part, I
say, “ Ladies mine,” to show that they are ladies
to whom I speak. The second part begins, “ A new

[ 75 ]

The Pew Wife

perception; ” the third, “ When it hath reached; ”
the fourth, “ It sees her such; ” the fifth, “ And yet
I know.” It might be divided yet more nicely, and
made yet clearer; but this division may pass, and
therefore I stay not to divide it further.

Bryonp the sphere which spreads to widest space
Now soars the sigh that my heart sends above:
A new perception born of grieving Love

Guideth it upward the untrodden ways.

When it hath reached unto the end, and stays,
It sees a lady round whom splendours move
In homage; till, by the great light thereof

Abashed, the pilgrim spirit stands at gaze.

It sees her such, that when it tells me this
Which it hath seen, I understand it not,

It hath a speech so subtile and so fine.
And yet I know its voice within my thought
Often remembereth me of Beatrice:
So that I understand it, ladies mine.

After writing this sonnet, it was given unto me
to behold a very wonderful vision: wherein I saw
things which determined me that I would say noth-
ing further of this most blessed one, until such time
as I could discourse more worthily concerning her.
And to this end I labour all I can; as she well
knoweth. Wherefore if it be His pleasure through
whom is the life of all things, that my life continue
with me a few years, it is my hope that I shall yet
write concerning her what hath not before been
written of any woman. After the which, may it
seem good unto Him who is the Master of Grace,

[76 ]

he Rew Life

that my spirit should go hence to behold the glory

of its lady: to wit, of that blessed Beatrice who now
zazeth continually on His countenance qui est per
a secula benedictus. Laus Deo.

C77]

aA '
U
Wy .
j* 3
: 4
‘
$
.
‘
,
‘
‘
ss *
.
$
: .
y
. -
>
-
o
‘ .
J
*
.
.
ihe
: Aaa,

af TOPE Na pena

*

ard usa: ;
Bp Sratye ¥ j

z £
i
*
f
.
’
;
4,
n
,
j 4
* gu
sh
ite
a
wl
bd
. 44
7
ey
v
Ay
"e
2
rn"
.
, -
.
‘
4
i
'
> fs
‘ i
Pe 2
,

” J
* Fe eit
4 iy Fon f

th

HANH!
iH Ht! di)

4
‘
i
H}

Reet A
Beh:

aes

htt

ee

9 A ts SS SES ele a SN a SS