115. ‘In mezzo di duo amanti honesta altera’

Between two noble lovers on either side,

I saw a true lady, and that lord with her

who reigns among men, and among gods:

the Sun was on one side, I on the other.

Since she found herself excluded from the sphere

of the more beautiful friend, filled with joy

she turned to my eyes, and I truly wish

she’d never be more severe to me than that.

Suddenly the jealousy that, at first sight

of such a noble adversary, had been born

in my heart, turned to happiness.

A little cloud came to wreathe itself

around his saddened and tearful face:

so much had his defeat displeased him.