Samuel Waddington, comp. The Sonnets of Europe. 1888.
Of His LadyGuido Guinicelli (c. 12301276?)
Translated by Henry Francis Cary
I
Resembling her to lily and to rose;
Brighter than morning’s lucid star she shows,
And fair as that which fairest is on high.
To the blue wave, I liken her, and sky,
All colour that with pink and crimson glows,
Gold, silver, and rich stones: nay, lovelier grows
E’en Love itself, when she is standing by.
She passeth on so gracious and so mild,
One’s pride is quenched, and one, if sick, is well:
And they believe, who from the faith did err;
And none may near her come by harm defiled:
A mightier virtue have I yet to tell,—
No man may think of evil seeing her.