347. ‘Donna che lieta col Principio nostro’

Lady, who dwell now, with our Creator,

happily, as your virtuous life deserved,

seated on a noble, glorious throne, adorned

with more than purple robes and pearls,

O high and rare prodigy among women,

you see my love, before the face of Him

who sees all things, and that pure faith

for which such tears and ink were shed:

and know that my heart was yours on earth

as much as now, in heaven, and I never wished

for anything from you but your eyes’ sun:

so as to make amends for the long war

in which I turned to you only, from the world,

pray that I soon may come to dwell with you.