The Banquet (Il Convito) by Dante Alighieri
page 89 of 270 (32%)
page 89 of 270 (32%)
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Mortals, enamoured, find her in their thought
When Love his peace into their minds has brought. Her Maker saw that she was good, and poured, Beyond our Nature, fulness of His Power On her pure soul, whence shone this holy dower Through all her frame, with beauty so adored That from the eyes she touches heralds fly Heartward with longings, heavenward with a sigh. On her fair frame Virtue Divine descends As on the angel that beholds His face. Fair one who doubt, go with her, mark the grace In all her acts. Downward from Heaven bends An angel when the speaks, who can attest A power in her by none of us possessed. The graceful acts that she shows forth to all Rival in calls to love that love must hear; Fair in all like her, fairest she'll appear Who is most like her. We, content to call Her face a Miracle, have Faith made sure: For that, He made her ever to endure. Her aspect shows delights of Paradise, Seen in her eyes and in her smiling face; Love brought them there as to his dwelling-place. They dazzle reason, as the Sun the eyes; And since I cannot fix on them my gaze Words must suffice that little speak their praise. |
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