289. ‘L’alma mia fiamma oltra le belle bella,’

My soul, my flame, loveliest of the lovely,

who was so courteous a friend of heaven,

has returned to her country, too soon

for me, and entered her own sphere.

Now I am beginning to wake and see,

that she resisted my desire for the better,

and tempered that young burning passion

with a sweet and fierce aspect.

I’m not ungrateful to her, and her high counsel,

who with her lovely face and soft disdain

made me, burning, think of my salvation.

O gracious arts, and their effects are true,

one works his tongue, the other her eyes,

I for her glory, and she for my good!