Andrew Macphail, comp. The Book of Sorrow. 1916.
Quanta invidia io ti portoPetrarch (Francisco Petrarca) (13041374)
Translated by Robert Cadell
O E
And veils those eyes that late so brightly shone,
Whence all that gave delight on Earth was known;
How much I envy thee that harsh embrace!
That purest Spirit when from Earth she fled
And sought the Mansions of the righteous Dead,—
Ah envious, thus to leave my parting Soul behind!
Receiv’d her Sister-soul, and now enjoy
Still present these Delights without alloy
Which my fond Heart must still in vain desire!
In Her I liv’d; in her my Life decays:—
Yet envious Fate denies to end my hapless days.