282. ‘Alma felice che sovente torni’

Happy spirit that so often turns

to console me in the grieving night

with eyes that Death has not dimmed,

but has adorned beyond all mortal things:

how pleased I am that you consent

to lighten my sad days with sight of you!

Now I begin to find your beauty present,

once more, as it used to be,

where I have sung of you so many years,

now, as you see, where I go weeping:

not weeping for you, but for my loss.

I only find one solace in my trouble:

when you return, I know and understand you,

by your gestures, voice, your face, your dress.