Classic and Contemporary Poetry
BALLATA: IN EXILE AT SARZANA, by GUIDO CAVALCANTI Poet's Biography First Line: Because I think not ever to return Last Line: Still in her purity. Subject(s): Absence; Separation; Isolation | ||||||||
Because I think not ever to return, Ballad, to Tuscany, -- Go therefore thou for me Straight to my lady's face, Who, of her noble grace, Shall show thee courtesy. Thou seekest her in charge of many sighs, Full of much grief and of exceeding fear. But have good heed thou come not to the eyes Of such as are sworn foes to gentle cheer: For, certes, if this thing should chance, -- from her Thou then couldst only look For scorn, and such rebuke As needs must bring me pain; -- Yea, after death again Tears and fresh agony. Surely thou knowest, Ballad, how that Death Assails me, till my life is almost sped: Thou knowest how my heart still travaileth Through the sore pangs which in my soul are bred: -- My body being now so nearly dead, It cannot suffer more. Then, going, I implore That this my soul thou take (Nay, do so for my sake,) When my heart sets it free. Ah! Ballad, unto thy dear offices I do commend my soul, thus trembling; That thou mayst lead it, for pure piteousness, Even to that lady's presence whom I sing. Ah! Ballad, say thou to her, sorrowing, Whereso thou meet her then: -- "This thy poor handmaiden Is come, nor will be gone, Being parted now from one Who served Love painfully.' Thou also, thou bewildered voice and weak, That goest forth in tears from my grieved heart, Shalt, with my soul and with this ballad, speak Of my dead mind, when thou dost hence depart, Unto that lady (piteous as thou art!) Who is so calm and bright, It shall be deep delight To feel her presence there. And thou, Soul, worship her Still in her purity. | Discover our Poem Explanations and Poet Analyses!Other Poems of Interest...THE EVENING OF THE MIND by DONALD JUSTICE CHRISTMAS AWAY FROM HOME by JANE KENYON THE PROBLEM by CHARLOTTE FISKE BATES WHEN A WOMAN LOVES A MAN by DAVID LEHMAN THIS UNMENTIONABLE FEELING by DAVID LEHMAN SONNET: TO DANTE by GUIDO CAVALCANTI BALLATA: 5 by GUIDO CAVALCANTI BALLATA: 7. HE REVEALS HIS INCREASING LOVE FOR MANDETTA by GUIDO CAVALCANTI |
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