FOOTNOTES:
[38] "Membra formosi et grandi."
[39] It borrows even the solemn language of Sacred Writ to express its intensity:
Nelle man vostre, o dolce donna mia!
Raccomando lo spirito che muore.
Son. 34.
[40] I refer particularly to that sublime Canzone addressed to the ladies of Florence, and beginning
"Donne ch' avete intelletto d' amore."
[41] Monna Vanna, for Madonna Giovanna; and Monna Bice, Madonna Beatrice.
This famous sonnet has been translated by Hayley and by Shelley. I subjoin the version of the latter, as truer to the spirit of the original.
THE WISH.—TO GUIDO CAVALCANTI.
Guido! I would that Lapo, thou, and I,
Led by some strong enchantment, might ascend
A magic ship, whose charmed sails should fly
With winds at will, where'er our thoughts might wend:
And that no change, nor any evil chance
Should mar our joyous voyage; but it might be
That even satiety should still enhance
Between our hearts their strict community,
And that the bounteous wizard there would place
Vanna and Bice, and thy gentle love,
Companions of our wanderings, and would grace
With passionate talk, wherever we might rove
Our time!—and each were as content and free
As I believe that thou and I should be!
[42] Sonnetto 13 (Poesie della Vita Nuova.)
[43] Vita Nuova, p. 268.