• From the Italian by John Edward Taylor
    IF it be true that any beauteous thing
    Raises the pure and just desire of man
    From earth to God, the eternal fount of all,
    Such I believe my love; for as in her
    So fair, in whom I all besides forget,
    I view the gentle work of her Creator,
    I have no care for any other thing,
    Whilst thus I love...

  • From the Italian by John Edward Taylor
    THE MIGHT of one fair face sublimes my love,
    For it hath weaned my heart from low desires;
    Nor death I heed, nor purgatorial fires.
    Thy beauty, antepast of joys above,
    Instructs me in the bliss that saints approve;
    For O, how good, how beautiful, must be
    The God that made so good a thing as thee,...