| Samuel Waddington, comp. The Sonnets of Europe. 1888. | | | | To Ferrante | | By Torquato Tasso (1544–1595) |
| | Translated by James Glassford, of Dougalston
WITH thee, Ferrante, dauntless could I go | |
| To where the Tuscan waves the Spaniard greet, | |
| Whether the skies invite and winds are meet, | |
| Or loud and dark the angry tempest blow; | |
| Could pass with thee where Atlas frowning low, | 5 |
| Bathes in the bitter brine his rugged feet; | |
| Or where that youth, on stolen venture sweet, | |
| Sunk in the wave, a tale of tender woe; | |
| Nor if to Afric sands, or Asian shore, | |
| You led the way, to follow would refuse, | 10 |
| Baring my side to thousand armèd foes. | |
| Yet weary as I am, and near my close, | |
| The wood, the fountain, and the secret muse, | |
| Are what I better love, and suit me more. | | | | |
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