AN " ELEGANT " NOTE [ TO CARDINAL GIOVANNI ] EXCUSING HIMSELF FOR DELAYING HIS RETURN TO AVIGNON OUT OF FEAR OF LAURA'S EYES

So much I dread the blaze and bright assault
Of her dear eyes where Love and Death agree
That, as a child the rod, so shamelessly
I fly and yield the battle by default;
From first to last, though lame I were and halt,
No place too fearsome proves but there I flee
To shun that glance whose dart is death to me,
Freezing the senses, turning them to salt:
Wherefore, if I return to see you late,

VAINLY HE SOLICITS DEATH

Had I believed that Death could set me free
From the sharp amorous thought which is my wound,
With my own hands deep, deep in the dark ground
I should long since have buried wound and me.
But, in the dread it would lead presently
From tears to tears, from wars that now abound
To others; that both ways Death would confound,
Half here, alas, half in eternity! —
Ah me, high time it were that Death had sped
The final arrow from that furious bow
With many another's blood so often red;

VAINLY HE SOLICITS DEATH

Had I believed that Death could set me free
From the sharp amorous thought which is my wound,
With my own hands deep, deep in the dark ground
I should long since have buried wound and me.
But, in the dread it would lead presently
From tears to tears, from wars that now abound
To others; that both ways Death would confound,
Half here, alas, half in eternity! —
Ah me, high time it were that Death had sped
The final arrow from that furious bow
With many another's blood so often red;

WHEREIN HE PURSUES SOLITUDE, BUT LOVE SHADOWS HIM EVERYWHITHER

Alone, thought-sick, I pace where none has been,
Roaming the desert with dull steps and slow,
And still glance warily about to know
If the herd follows, if the world has seen:
How else the hoofprint of the Philistine
Escape, but in some cave with grief to go!
I look distraught and haggard: I must show
No one how keen Love's tooth is, O how keen!
Meseems the very mountains and the shores,
Rivers and woods must guess the secret I
So seek to hide from men by desert doors —

HE BEGS APOLLO TO PROTECT A LAUREL TRANSPLANTED BY HIM IN PRAISE OF LAURA

Apollo, if still burns that bright desire
Which kindled thee by the Thessalian wave:
And if the golden tresses which once gave
Such joy have not with time quite lost their fire:
From the long frosts, from seasons harsh and dire,
Which linger while thou art not here to save,
Defend these honoured branches, brief and brave,
Which did so dearly with us both conspire;
And by the virtue of that amorous hope,
Which gave thee courage in a grievous hour,

LAURA IN A DREAM TELLS HIM SHE WILL RECOVER

Already in the east the amorous star
Flamed through the sky, while from the noble north
The cause of Juno's jealousy poured forth
Her wheeling beams, brilliant and singular;
Half-naked and barefoot, the crone of care
Quickens the coals, her spindle at the hearth;
And lovers feel the hour of amorous birth
Which pricks to tears (what burning tears these are!) —
When my dear hope, now at the green last inch
Of candle, reached my heart, not through my eyes

ON LAURA PERILOUSLY ILL

This gentle spirit that must now depart
Before her time, called to the lovelier realm,
If, as must be, hosannas overwhelm,
She will be guest in Heaven's holiest chart.
There, between Venus and Mars' glittering dart
If she remain, the sun will wear a film,
Because, as bright birds cluster on an elm,
The blessed souls will swarm to see that heart
Of infinite beauty. If the fourth fierce nest
She choose, the other three will fade beside,
And she alone in loveliness abide;

ON LAURA PERILOUSLY ILL

This gentle spirit that must now depart
Before her time, called to the lovelier realm,
If, as must be, hosannas overwhelm,
She will be guest in Heaven's holiest chart.
There, between Venus and Mars' glittering dart
If she remain, the sun will wear a film,
Because, as bright birds cluster on an elm,
The blessed souls will swarm to see that heart
Of infinite beauty. If the fourth fierce nest
She choose, the other three will fade beside,
And she alone in loveliness abide;

ON THE CRUSADE OF THE EMPEROR AGAINST THE INFIDEL, AND THE POPE'S RETURN TO ROME

The proud successor of Charlemagne, whose hair
The crown of his great ancestor adorns,
Already takes up arms to break the horns
Of Babylon and her children everywhere;
And Christ's pure vicar, with his load to bear
Of keys and cloak, returning home (if thorns
Of some ill stop him not till he returns)
Shall see Bologna and to Rome repair.
Best to your meek Florentian lamb belongs
The noble conquest of the Wolf; and so

UPON THE SAME THEME

Moved never a ship more happy to the shore
Than I — no ship by wind and water crossed;
The sailors, hope and courage lately lost,
Kneel now and happy praise to God outpour.
Nor ever from his death-cell captive tore
The noose around his neck, with such joy tossed
The rope away, milord whom wars exhaust,
As was my joy to see the sword of war
Abandoned. O all ye who love Love's rhyme,
Applaud the weaver of the passionate song
Who was but lately lost: since more sublime