Samuel Waddington, comp. The Sonnets of Europe. 1888.
The Garland and the GirdleMichelangelo (14751564)
Translated by John Addington Symonds
W
Around her golden hair so deftly twined,
Each blossom pressing forward from behind,
As though to be the first her brows to kiss!
The livelong day her dress hath perfect bliss,
That now reveals her breast, now seems to bind:
And that fair woven net of gold refined
Rests on her cheek and throat in happiness!
Yet still more blissful seems to me the band
Gilt at the tips, so sweetly doth it ring
And clasp the bosom that it serves to lace:
Yea, and the belt, to such as understand,
Bound round her waist, saith: Here I’d ever cling.—
What would my arms do in that girdle’s place?