SONNET XXI.
Reading edition
L' alma mia fiamma oltra le belle bella.
HE ACKNOWLEDGES THE WISDOM OF HER PAST COLDNESS TO HIM.
My noble flame—more fair than fairest are Whom kind Heaven here has e'er in favour shown— Before her time, alas for me! has flown To her celestial home and parent star. I seem but now to wake; wherein a bar She placed on passion 'twas for good alone, As, with a gentle coldness all her own, She waged with my hot wishes virtuous war. My thanks on her for such wise care I press, That with her lovely face and sweet disdain She check'd my love and taught me peace to gain. O graceful artifice! deserved success! I with my fond verse, with her bright eyes she, Glory in her, she virtue got in me. Macgregor.