With slighted love and self-shame boiling o’er;
That on my precious prize in time of need
I kept not hold, nor made a firmer stand
’Gainst what at best was merely angel force,
That my feet were not wings their flight to speed,
And so at last take vengeance on the hand,
Make my poor eyes of tears the too oft source.
MACGREGOR.
SONNET CLXIX.
D’ un bel, chiaro, polito e vivo ghiaccio.
THOUGH RACKED BY AGONY, HE DOES NOT COMPLAIN OF HER.
The flames that
ever on my bosom prey
From living ice or cold fair
marble pour,
And so exhaust my veins and
waste my core,
Almost insensibly I melt away.
Death, his stern arm already
rear’d to slay,
As thunders angry heaven or
lions roar,
Pursues my life that vainly
flies before,
While I with terror shake,
and mute obey.
And yet, were Love and Pity
friends, they might
A double column for my succour
throw
Between my worn soul and the
mortal blow:
It may not be; such feelings
in the sight
Of my loved foe and mistress
never stir;
The fault is in my fortune,
not in her.
MACGREGOR.
SONNET CLXX.
Lasso, ch’ i’ ardo, ed altri non mel crede!
POSTERITY WILL ACCORD TO HIM THE PITY WHICH LAURA REFUSES.
Alas, with ardour
past belief I glow!
None doubt this truth, except
one only fair,
Who all excels, for whom alone
I care;
She plainly sees, yet disbelieves
my woe.
O rich in charms, but poor
in faith! canst thou
Look in these eyes, nor read
my whole heart there?
Were I not fated by my baleful
star,
For me from pity’s fount
might favour flow.
My flame, of which thou tak’st
so little heed,
And thy high praises pour’d
through all my song,
O’er many a breast may
future influence spread:
These, my sweet fair, so warns
prophetic thought,
Closed thy bright eye, and
mute thy poet’s tongue,
E’en after death shall
still with sparks be fraught.
NOTT.
Alas! I burn,
yet credence fail to gain
All others credit it save
only she
All others who excels, alone
for me;
She seems to doubt it still,
yet sees it plain
Infinite beauty, little faith
and slow,
Perceive ye not my whole heart
in mine eyes?
Well might I hope, save for
my hostile skies,
From mercy’s fount some
pitying balm to flow.
Yet this my flame which scarcely
moves your care,
And your warm praises sung
in these fond rhymes,
May thousands yet inflame
in after times;
These I foresee in fancy,
my sweet fair,
Though your bright eyes be
closed and cold my breath,
Shall lighten other loves
and live in death.