Leonardo da Vinci (1452–1519)

Translated by Samuel Waddington

WHO would, but cannot—what he can, should will!

’Tis vain to will the thing we ne’er can do;

Therefore that man we deem the wisest, who

Seeks not mere futile longing to fulfil:

Our pleasure, as our pain, dependeth still

On knowledge of will’s power; this doth imbue

With strength who yield to duty what is due,

Nor reason wrest from her high domicile.

Yet what thou canst not always shouldst thou will,

Or gratified thy wish may cost a tear,

And bitter prove what seemed most sweet to view:

Last in thy heart this truth we would instil,—

Wouldst thou to self be true, to others dear,

Will to be able, what thou oughtst, to do.