Creatures there are of such a piercing sight While others, whom the mighty sunbeams daze, Others are found whom yearnings strange incite But follow her who doth my heart consume. THE SAME TRANSLATED. Sunt quorum ocellis visus est acerrimus, Solem intueri ut audeant; Ast alia gens ardente radio territa Non prodit ante vesperem ; Aliisque mirus est amor viventibus Sentire flammarum jubar, Cui cum propinquant, illa fulgor enecat : Sum talis infelix ego. Nam qui puellæ splendor e vultu micans Præstringit oculos debiles, Spectare cogit dira me necessitas; Nec animus est caliginis Umbraculo me tegere vel crepusculo, Sed pectus urentem sequi. I TRANSLATION FROM PETRARCH. When in the virgin throng my Laura's face The more she seems all others to outshine, With firmer hold doth she my love embrace. She made in thee the buoyant strength to grow, Which heavenward guides the way, and here below Cheering my path in hope exalts me higher. THE SAME TRANSLATED. Cum mea virgineas inter stat Laura catervas Eximio vestita decore, Quo magis excellens alias nitet, hôc magis arctâ Me retinet complexa catenâ ; Tunc soleo laudare locum, tunc tempus et horam, Quæ mihi castum accenderit ignem, Atque animæ, Fortuna tibi faustissima, dico, Dignetur quæ munere tali. Illa tibi sensum prima inspiravit amandi, Summum ut scire bonum potis esses, Quæque aliis in honore viris contemnere nugas : Et virtutem increscere fecit, Unde mihi ad cœlum pateat via, dura ferentem Interea sublimis alat spes. TRANSLATION FROM THE GERMAN OF UHLAND. The learned of our land, Her tongue who understand, With all their skill combine The structure to explore, And ever more and more To polish and refine. While they our outward speech With all its beauties teach Ye men of German breed, "Tis 'Tis yours to give the light, The purity, the might, Which hearts alone inspire; The full poetic glow, From which mankind may know 'Tis warm'd with heavenly fire. |