TO EVERY CAPTIVE SOUL AND GENTLE HEART

by: Dante Alighieri (1265-1321)

      o every captive soul and gentle heart,
      Into whose sight the present song shall come,
      Praying their thoughts on what it may portend,
      Health in the name of Love, their sovereign lord.
      A third part of the hours had almost past
      Which show in brightest lustre every star,
      When suddenly before me Love appeared,
      Whose essence to remember gives me horror.
      Joyful Love seem'd, holding within his hand
      My heart, and in his arms enfolded lay
      Madonna sleeping, in a mantle wrapt.
      Then waking her, he with this burning heart
      Courteously fed her, and in fear she ate.
      That done, I saw him go his way in tears.

"To Every Captive Soul and Gentle Heart" is reprinted from The Lyrical Poems of Dante Alighieri. Translated by Charles Lyell. London: William Smith, 1845.

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