| Andrew Macphail, comp. The Book of Sorrow. 1916. | | | XXVI. Melancholy
Nè per sereno ciel ir vaghe stelle | | By Petrarch (Francisco Petrarca) (1304–1374) |
| | Translated by Barbarina, Lady Dacre
NOT skies serene, with glittering stars inlaid, | |
| Nor gallant ships o’er tranquil ocean dancing, | |
| Nor gay careering knights in arms advancing, | |
| Nor wild herds bounding through the forest glade, | |
| Nor tidings new of happiness delayed, | 5 |
| Nor poesie, Love’s witchery enhancing, | |
| Nor lady’s song beside clear fountain glancing, | |
| In beauty’s pride, with chastity arrayed; | |
| Nor aught of lovely, aught of gay in show, | |
| Shall touch my heart now cold within her tomb | 10 |
| Who was erewhile my life and light below! | |
| So heavy—tedious—sad—my days unblest, | |
| That I, with strong desire, invoke Death’s gloom, | |
| Her to behold, whom ne’er to have seen were best! | | | | |
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