| Samuel Waddington, comp. The Sonnets of Europe. 1888. | | | | “To every heart that feels the gentle flame” | | By Dante Alighieri (1265–1321) |
| | Translated by Henry Francis Cary
From the “Vita Nuova”
TO every heart that feels the gentle flame, | |
| To whom this present saying comes in sight, | |
| In that to me their thoughts they may indite, | |
| All health! in Love, our lord and master’s name. | |
| Now on its way the second quarter came | 5 |
| Of those twelve hours, wherein the stars are bright, | |
| When Love was seen before me, in such might, | |
| As to remember shakes with awe my frame. | |
| Suddenly came he, seeming glad, and keeping | |
| My heart in hand; and in his arms he had | 10 |
| My Lady in a folded garment sleeping: | |
| He waked her; and that heart all burning bade | |
| Her feed upon, in lowly guise and sad: | |
| Then from my view he turned; and parted, weeping. | | | | |
|
|
