And conquer empires to my finger’s will,
So that I nod, and all kings nod with me.
This be the ruling passion of my life.
It saved me from the common daily sins.
Dost thou know, Damiani, I once loved
A woman, even as other men have loved,
Did marry her, o’ercome by human passion;
But driven by the demons of my fate,
Fled from her unto a monastery,
Where nights of prayer and fasting weaned my heart