Joachim du Bellay (1552–1560)

Translated by Edmund Spenser

IT was the time, when rest, soft sliding down

From Heaven’s height into men’s heavy eyes,

In the forgetfulness of sleep doth drown

The careful thoughts of mortal miseries:

Then did a ghost before mine eyes appear

On that great river’s bank that runs by Rome,

Which, calling me by name, bade me to rear

My looks to Heaven, whence all good gifts do come;—

And crying loud, Lo! now behold, quoth he,

What under this great temple placèd is;

Lo, all is naught but flying vanity!

So I, that know this world’s inconstancies,

Since only God surmounts all time’s decay,

In God alone my confidence do stay.