Blessèd art thou, though fortune did forsake
Thee countless times, for thou dost joyous live,
No shadow now doth thy contentment break.
THYRSIS.
This mortal lowliness that thou didst leave
Behind, more full of changes than the moon,
Little doth weary thee, doth little grieve.
DAMON.
Humility thou changedst for the boon
Of loftiness, evil for good, and death
For life—thy fears and hopes were surely one.
ELICIO.
He who lives well, though he in semblance hath
Fallen, doth soar to Heaven on lofty wing,
As thou, Meliso, by the flowery path.
There, there, from throats immortal issuing,
The voice resounds, that glory doth recite,
Glory repeateth, glory sweet doth sing.
There the serene fair countenance and bright
We see, and in the sight thereof behold
Glory's supreme perfection with delight.
My feeble voice to praise thee waxeth bold,
Yet, e'en as my desire doth greater grow,
In check my fear, Meliso, doth it hold.