Sonnet CLXXXI
SONNET CLXXXI.
Già desiai con sì giusta querela.
HE LIVES DESTITUTE OF ALL HOPE SAVE THAT OF RENDERING HER IMMORTAL.
Erewhile I labour'd with complaint so true,And in such fervid rhymes to make me heard,[Pg 196]Seem'd as at last some spark of pity stirr'dIn the hard heart which frost in summer knew.Th' unfriendly cloud, whose cold veil o'er it grew,Broke at the first breath of mine ardent wordOr low'ring still she others' blame incurr'dHer bright and killing eyes who thus withdrewNo ruth for self I crave, for her no hate;I wish not this—that passes power of mine:Such was mine evil star and cruel fate.But I shall ever sing her charms divine,That, when I have resign'd this mortal breath,The world may know how sweet to me was death.