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Classic and Contemporary Poetry
CANZONE: 17. HE BESEECHES DEATH FOR THE LIFE OF BEATRICE, by DANTE ALIGHIERI Poet's Biography First Line: Death, since I find not one with whom to grieve Last Line: Shall keep the blessed spirit that I praise. Alternate Author Name(s): Dante; Alighieri, Dante Subject(s): Death; Italian Renaissance; Dead, The | |||
Death, since I find not one with whom to grieve, Nor whom this grief of mine may move to tears, Whereso I be or whitherso I turn: Since it is thou who in my soul wilt leave No single joy, but chill'st it with just fears And makest it in fruitless hopes to burn: Since thou, Death, and thou only, canst decern Wealth to my life, or want, at thy free choice: -- It is to thee that I lift up my voice, Bowing my face that's like a face just dead. I come to thee, as to one pitying, In grief for that sweet rest which nought can bring Again, if thou but once be entered Into her life whom my heart cherishes Even as the only portal of its peace. Death, how most sweet the peace is that thy grace Can grant to me, and that I pray thee for, Thou easily mayst know by a sure sign, If in mine eyes thou look a little space And read in them the hidden dread they store, -- If upon all thou look which proves me thine. Since the fear only maketh me to pine After this sort, -- what will mine anguish be When her eyes close, of dreadful verity, In whose light is the light of mine own eyes? But now I know that thou wouldst have my life As hers, and joy'st thee in my fruitless strife. Yet I do think this which I feel implies That soon, when I would die to flee from pain, I shall find none by whom I may be slain. Death, if indeed thou smite this gentle one Whose outward worth but tells the intellect How wondrous is the miracle within, -- Thou biddest Virtue rise up and begone, Thou dost away with Mercy's best effect, Thou spoil'st the mansion of God's sojourning. Yea, unto nought her beauty thou dost bring Which is above all other beauties, even In so much as befitteth one whom Heaven Sent upon earth in token of its own. Thou dost break through the perfect trust which hath Been alway her companion in Love's path: The light once darkened which was hers alone, Love needs must say to them he ruleth o'er, "I have lost the noble banner that I bore.' Death, have some pity then for all the ill Which cannot choose but happen if she die, And which will be the sorest ever known. Slacken the string, if so it be thy will, That the sharp arrow leave it not, -- thereby Sparing her life, which if it flies is flown. O Death, for God's sake, be some pity shown! Restrain within thyself, even at its height, The cruel wrath which moveth thee to smite Her in whom God hath set so much of grace. Show now some ruth if 'tis a thing thou hast! I seem to see Heaven's gate, that is shut fast, Open, and angels filling all the space About me, -- come to fetch her soul whose laud Is sung by saints and angels before God. Song, thou must surely see how fine a thread This is that my last hope is holden by, And what I should be brought to without her. Therefore for thy plain speech and lowlihead Make thou no pause: but go immediately, Knowing thyself for my heart's minister, And with that very meek and piteous air Thou hast, stand up before the face of Death, To wrench away the bar that prisoneth And win unto the place of the good fruit. And if indeed thou shake by thy soft voice Death's mortal purpose, -- haste thee and rejoice Our lady with the issue of thy suit. So yet awhile our earthly nights and days Shall keep the blessed spirit that I praise. | Discover our Poem Explanations and Poet Analyses!Other Poems of Interest...A FRIEND KILLED IN THE WAR by ANTHONY HECHT FOR JAMES MERRILL: AN ADIEU by ANTHONY HECHT TARANTULA: OR THE DANCE OF DEATH by ANTHONY HECHT CHAMPS D?ÇÖHONNEUR by ERNEST HEMINGWAY NOTE TO REALITY by TONY HOAGLAND SESTINA: 1. OF THE LADY PIETRA DEGLI SCROVIGNI by DANTE ALIGHIERI |
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