Francesco Petrarca (1304–1374)

Translated by Charles Bagot Cayley

OH lovely hand, thou that my heart dost wring,

And shut my life up in that narrow space,

Hand, to which heaven and Nature, to win grace

Themselves, did all their zeal and cunning bring!

In yon five pearls of orient colouring

(Though keen and cruel in my single case)

Five taper fingers Love before my face

Hath bared awhile—what wealth on me to fling!

Oh white and dainty glove, oh glove, which hast

Covered such roses fresh and ivory clear,

Has mortal ever seen so sweet a prey?

I would I held her charming veil as fast;

But oh, the unfaithfulness of all things here!

’Tis but a theft, and will be plucked away.