245. ‘Due rose fresche, et colte in paradiso’

Two fresh roses, gathered in paradise,

just now, that opened on the first of May,

a lovely gift, divided, by an older, wiser lover

between two young lovers, equally,

with such sweet speech and with a smile

that would make even a savage being love,

made each of them change their aspect

with its sparkling and amorous rays.

‘The sun has never seen such lovers’

he said, smiling then and sighing:

and, embracing both, he turned away.

So the roses and the words depart,

the heart is left still joyful and in fear:

O happy eloquence, O glad day!