34. ‘Apollo, s’anchor vive il bel disio’

Apollo, if that sweet desire is still alive

that inflamed you by the river of Thessaly,

and if with the passing years you’ve not already

forgotten that beloved blonde hair:

defend the honoured and sacred leaves now,

where you long ago, and I lately, were caught,

through the slow frost and harsh and cruel time

that is endured while you hide your face:

and by the power of that amorous hope

that sustained you, though life was bitter,

disburden the air of this dark weather:

so we may see by a miracle together

our lady seated on the grass

lifting her arms to make herself a shade.