GOld upon gold, mine only Joy did plate, Whilst She did dress her head by crystal glass: But whilst She looked on it, it sudden brake; So as, amazed thereat, much grieved She was; To whom I said, "To grieve thus, 'tis in vain: Since what is broke, whole cannot be again. Look steadfastly, with both thine eyes on me! Who have my heart, through love, a glass new made." She on my face looked; and herself did see: Wherewith contented th'roughly, thus She said, "Most happy I! Since for to dress my head, For broken glass, of whole one I am sped."
XXVI.
THe heavens begin, with thunder, for to break The troubled air; and to the coloured fields, The lightning for to spoil their pride doth threat. Each thing unto the furious tempest yields. And yet, methinks, within me I do hear A gentle voice, hard at my heart, to say: "Fear nothing, thou; but be of merry cheer! Thou only safe, 'fore others all shalt stay. To save thee from all hurt, thy shield shalt be The shadow of the conquering Laural Tree."
Fano.
XXVII.
