315. ‘Tutta la mia fiorita et verde etade’

All my green and flowering time was past,

and I felt the fire that burned my heart

already cooling, since I had reached

the place where life descends its final slope.

Already little by little my dear enemy

was beginning to feel more free

of all suspicion, and her sweet virtue

had turned my bitter pain to joy.

The time was near when Love meets

Chastity, and to lovers it is given

to sit together, and talk face to face.

Death was envious of my happy state,

or rather my hopes: and rode midway

to the encounter, like a well-armed enemy.