Samuel Waddington, comp. The Sonnets of Europe. 1888.
Ye Haunts ReclusePietro Bembo (14701547)
Translated by James Glassford, of Dougalston
Y
From crowds, and live alone, what spell denies
My visit, now that Phœbus in our skies,
Leaving the Twins, has gathered all his heat!
Nowhere so calm and free my heart will beat,
Or thoughts so far above the earth can rise,
Nowhere my spirit, fed with such supplies,
Approaches nearer to its native seat.
How sweet it is in solitude to range
I learned from thee; sweet when the world no more
Distracts us, and our anxious fears are laid.
O wood and stream beloved, might I exchange
This restless ocean and its burning shore
For thy fresh waters and thy verdant shade!