175. ‘Quando mi vène inanzi il tempo e ’l loco’

When that time and place come to my thoughts

where I was lost, and that dear knot,

with which Love tied me in such a way

that bitter was sweet, and weeping joy,

I’m all sulphur and tinder, the heart ablaze

with those gentle words of hers I always hear,

so hot within, so glad to be on fire,

living there, and for all else caring little.

That sun, that shines alone to my sight,

still heats me with its wandering rays,

at evening just as in my early days:

and even from far away my light is kindled,

since that memory always fresh and strong

shows me that knot, and the place, and the time.