And now the stranger with a band Is led into the grove; And straight for his beloved he looks; Around the vales, the meads, the brooks, His eyes impatient rove: Whom on a bank of mossy green And in a moment both Together rush, like sunbeams meet, And all the fond Elysian band And songs triumphal chime : Oh, this is love, and life to live, Videsne? ducunt in nemus advenam Læti sodales: ille per obvia Vireta lucorumque flexus Sollicitum jaciens ocellum Quærit maritam; quam viridi super Ripâ jacentem protinus aspicit Aspectus, incurritque fidos Alter in alterius lacertos: Ceu lympha lymphæ mobilis influit, Et flamma flammam sueta prehendere, Sic Umbra commiscetur Umbræ Ut veteres renovent amores. Ornata vittis agmina Manium Circumsteterunt; et chorus incipit Mille simul resonare chordæ : En vita felix! en amor unicus, Quem nescit Hymen jungere vinculo; Sublimis, incorrupta virtus, Consocians animos fideles ! TRANSLATION FROM PETRARCH. Creatures there are of such a piercing sight While others, whom the mighty sunbeams daze, Others are found whom yearnings strange incite Nor will I seek to screen me by the shade But follow her who doth my heart consume. THE SAME TRANSLATED. Sunt quorum ocellis visus est acerrimus, Solem intueri ut audeant; Ast alia gens ardente radio territa Non prodit ante vesperem ; Aliisque mirus est amor viventibus Sentire flammarum jubar, Cui cum propinquant, illa fulgor enecat: Sum talis infelix ego. Nam qui puellæ splendor e vultu micans Præstringit oculos debiles, Spectare cogit dira me necessitas ; Nec animus est caliginis Umbraculo me tegere vel crepusculo, Sed pectus urentem sequi. I TRANSLATION FROM PETRARCH. When in the virgin throng my Laura's face The more she seems all others to outshine, With firmer hold doth she my love embrace. She made in thee the buoyant strength to grow, Which heavenward guides the way, and here below Cheering my path in hope exalts me higher. |