196. ‘L’aura serena che fra verdi fronde’

The calm breeze that comes murmuring

through green leaves to strike my face,

makes me recall how Love dealt me

the first wound, so deep but sweet:

and I see the lovely looks, else hidden from me,

that disdain or diffidence keep concealed,

and the hair fastened now with gems and pearls,

once loosened, pale blonde surpassing gold:

she scattered it so sweetly and then

gathered it in such a graceful way,

that remembering I still tremble inwardly:

time twisted it in a still tighter knot,

and tied my heart with so strong a cord,

that Death alone can free me from it.