Francesco Redi (1626–1697)

Translated by Edmund Gosse

LOVE is the Minstrel; for in God’s own sight,

The master of all melody, he stands,

And holds a golden rebeck in his hands,

And leads the chorus of the saints in light;

But ever and anon those chambers bright

Detain him not, for down to these low lands

He flies, and spreads his musical commands,

And teaches men some fresh divine delight.

For with his bow he strikes a single chord

Across a soul, and wakes in it desire

To grow more pure and lovely, and aspire

To that ethereal country where, outpoured

From myriad stars that stand before the Lord,

Love’s harmonies are like a flame of fire.