Sonnet XVI
SONNET XVI.
Quand' io son tutto volto in quella parte.
HE FLIES, BUT PASSION PURSUES HIM.
When I reflect and turn me to that partWhence my sweet lady beam'd in purest light,And in my inmost thought remains that lightWhich burns me and consumes in every part,I, who yet dread lest from my heart it partAnd see at hand the end of this my light,Go lonely, like a man deprived of light,Ignorant where to go; whence to depart.Thus flee I from the stroke which lays me dead,Yet flee not with such speed but that desireFollows, companion of my flight alone.Silent I go:—but these my words, though dead,Others would cause to weep—this I desire,That I may weep and waste myself alone.
Capel Lofft. When all my mind I turn to the one partWhere sheds my lady's face its beauteous light,And lingers in my loving thought the lightThat burns and racks within me ev'ry part,I from my heart who fear that it may part,And see the near end of my single light,Go, as a blind man, groping without light,Who knows not where yet presses to depart.Thus from the blows which ever wish me deadI flee, but not so swiftly that desireCeases to come, as is its wont, with me.[Pg 16]Silent I move: for accents of the deadWould melt the general age: and I desireThat sighs and tears should only fall from me.