220. ‘Onde tolse Amor l’oro, et di qual vena,’

Where, and from what vein, did Love derive

the gold for her blonde hair? From what thorn

did he pluck the rose, from what fields the fresh

and tender frost, and give them force and power?

From where, those pearls to part and restrain

her sweet words in their chaste wandering?

And so much heavenly beauty on her brow,

more so than in the calmest skies?

From what angels, and with what hopes,

came that celestial singing that disarmed me,

so that I’ve never been anything but disarmed?

From what sun was that high kindly light born

of lovely eyes, from which came war and peace,

that seared my heart with ice and fire?