| Samuel Waddington, comp. The Sonnets of Europe. 1888. | | | | Love, the Light-Giver | | By Michelangelo (1475–1564) |
| | Translated by John Addington Symonds
WITH your fair eyes a charming light I see, | |
| For which my own blind eyes would peer in vain; | |
| Stayed by your feet the burden I sustain | |
| Which my lame feet find all too strong for me; | |
| Wingless upon your pinions forth I fly; | 5 |
| Heavenward your spirit stirreth me to strain; | |
| E’en as you will, I blush and blanch again, | |
| Freeze in the sun, burn ’neath a frosty sky. | |
| Your will includes and is the lord of mine; | |
| Life to my thoughts within your heart is given; | 10 |
| My words begin to breathe upon your breath: | |
| Like to the moon am I, that cannot shine | |
| Alone; for lo! our eyes see nought in heaven | |
| Save what the living sun illumineth. | | | | |
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