Ninth Part
NINTH PART
ARGUMENT
Here beginneth the ninth and last part of the Filostrato, in which the author addresseth his work. He instructeth it to whom it belongeth, and with whom it is expected to take its way, and what it is expected to accomplish. And at this point he bringeth his work to an end .
1.
" Happy times are wont to be the inspiration of sweet verses, my piteous song. But in my affliction Love hath unnaturally drawn thee from my grieving soul nor do I know the reason why, if it come not from hidden virtue, inspired and stirred in the pierced heart by the supreme excellence of our lady.
2.
" She, as I know, for I often feel it, cannot forget my existence, and moreover she cannot think of me as another sort of man. And hence, I believe, ariseth the real reason for thy long speaking. And I am satisfied thereat, for more from that than from my bitter woes hath it come. But whatever it may have been, we are arrived at the end desired by me.
3.
" We have reached the haven which we have come seeking, now among the rocks and now upon the open sea, sailing with zephyr and with stormy winds, following over the uncertain sea the noble light and the revered sign of that star which maketh every thought of mine quick and keen to the proper end, and then did make itself known by me.
4.
" Here then, I judge, the anchors are to be cast and an end put to our course and here shall we make offering, with complete good will, of those thanks which the grateful pilgrim is expected to render to him who hath guided us. And on the shore, which is now near by, shall we place upon the ship of our loves fitting garlands and other honors which are his due.
5.
" Then thou, a little rested, wilt go away to the gentle lady of my thoughts. O happy thou, for thou shalt see her, which I cannot do, weary and sorrowful that I am. And when thou art joyfully received into her hand, recommend me humbly to her high excellence, which alone can give me felicity.
6.
" And in the almost tearful habit in which thou art, I pray thee declare to her how wearily I live in the griefs of another, the woes, the sorrows, the sighs, and the bitter moans in which I am and have been sorrowful since the bright rays of her fair eyes were concealed from me by her departure, for I lived in happiness by their presence alone.
7.
" If thou dost see her make ready in her angelic face to listen respectfully to thee, or sigh for the hardships I have endured, pray her as earnestly as thou canst, that it may please her presently to return or to command my soul to flee from me, for wherever it is to go, much better is death than such a life.
8.
" But see to it that thou dost not make so high an embassy without Love, for thou wouldst be perchance quite ill received, and also thou wouldst not have understanding without him. If thou goest with Love, thou wilt, I believe, be honored. Now go, for I pray Apollo to lend thee so much grace that thou mayest be listened to and she may send thee back to me with a happy response. "
ARGUMENT
Here beginneth the ninth and last part of the Filostrato, in which the author addresseth his work. He instructeth it to whom it belongeth, and with whom it is expected to take its way, and what it is expected to accomplish. And at this point he bringeth his work to an end .
1.
" Happy times are wont to be the inspiration of sweet verses, my piteous song. But in my affliction Love hath unnaturally drawn thee from my grieving soul nor do I know the reason why, if it come not from hidden virtue, inspired and stirred in the pierced heart by the supreme excellence of our lady.
2.
" She, as I know, for I often feel it, cannot forget my existence, and moreover she cannot think of me as another sort of man. And hence, I believe, ariseth the real reason for thy long speaking. And I am satisfied thereat, for more from that than from my bitter woes hath it come. But whatever it may have been, we are arrived at the end desired by me.
3.
" We have reached the haven which we have come seeking, now among the rocks and now upon the open sea, sailing with zephyr and with stormy winds, following over the uncertain sea the noble light and the revered sign of that star which maketh every thought of mine quick and keen to the proper end, and then did make itself known by me.
4.
" Here then, I judge, the anchors are to be cast and an end put to our course and here shall we make offering, with complete good will, of those thanks which the grateful pilgrim is expected to render to him who hath guided us. And on the shore, which is now near by, shall we place upon the ship of our loves fitting garlands and other honors which are his due.
5.
" Then thou, a little rested, wilt go away to the gentle lady of my thoughts. O happy thou, for thou shalt see her, which I cannot do, weary and sorrowful that I am. And when thou art joyfully received into her hand, recommend me humbly to her high excellence, which alone can give me felicity.
6.
" And in the almost tearful habit in which thou art, I pray thee declare to her how wearily I live in the griefs of another, the woes, the sorrows, the sighs, and the bitter moans in which I am and have been sorrowful since the bright rays of her fair eyes were concealed from me by her departure, for I lived in happiness by their presence alone.
7.
" If thou dost see her make ready in her angelic face to listen respectfully to thee, or sigh for the hardships I have endured, pray her as earnestly as thou canst, that it may please her presently to return or to command my soul to flee from me, for wherever it is to go, much better is death than such a life.
8.
" But see to it that thou dost not make so high an embassy without Love, for thou wouldst be perchance quite ill received, and also thou wouldst not have understanding without him. If thou goest with Love, thou wilt, I believe, be honored. Now go, for I pray Apollo to lend thee so much grace that thou mayest be listened to and she may send thee back to me with a happy response. "
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