A VISION.
FROM ITALIAN OF PETRARCH.
I.
Being one day at my window all alone,
So many strange things happened me to see,
As much it grieveth me to think thereon.
At my right hand a hynde appeared to mee,
So faire as mote the greatest god delite;
Two eager dogs did her pursue in chase,
Of which the one was blacke, the other white;
With deadly force, so in their cruell race
They pincht the haunches of that gentle beast,
That at the last, and in short time I spide,
Under a rocke, where she, alas, opprest,
Fell to the ground, and there untimely dide.
Cruell death vanquishing so noble beautie
Oft makes me wrile so harde a destanie.
II.
After, at sea, a tall ship did appeare,
Made all of heben and white yvorie;
The sailes of golde, of silk the tackle were;
Milde was the winde, calme seemed the sea to bee,
The skie eachwhere did show full bright and faire.
With rich treasures this gay ship fraighted was;
But sudden storme did so turmoyle the aire,
And tumbled up the sea, that she (alas!)
Strake on a rock that under water lay,
And perished past all recoverie.
O! how great ruth and sorrowful assay
Doth vex my spirite with perplexitie,
Thus in a moment to see lost and drown’d
So great riches, as like cannot be found.