Without and Within. Pietro Metastasio (1698-1782). Poems of Sentiment: II. Life. Bliss Carman, et al., eds. 1904. The World's Best Poetry. VI. Fancy

Bliss Carman, et al., eds. The World’s Best Poetry.
Volume VI. Fancy. 1904.

Poems of Sentiment: II. Life

Without and Within

Pietro Metastasio (1698–1782)

Anonymous translation from the Italian

IF every man’s internal care
Were written on his brow,
How many would our pity share
Who raise our envy now?

The fatal secret, when revealed,	5
Of every aching breast,
Would prove that only while concealed
Their lot appeared the best.