European Elegies/Winter/Love knows but loss
59.LOVE KNOWS BUT LOSS
I was upon that high and hallowed hill
Where at a sacred grave I yet adore
Her vanished beauty, fall'n in anguish o'er
The marble slab where the engraver's skill
Has carved the honour, virtue, and sweet will
That earth closed over when death from me tore
My bride as fit for heaven, and loudly swore
No further grace could her perfection fill.
Then I cried out to Love in sorrow's throe:
"Sweet Deity, tell death to draw me deep
Into the darkness where my heart lies low."
But Love, not understanding, turned to go
And called for my lost lady down the steep,
And made the hill re-echo with his woe.
Where at a sacred grave I yet adore
Her vanished beauty, fall'n in anguish o'er
The marble slab where the engraver's skill
Has carved the honour, virtue, and sweet will
That earth closed over when death from me tore
My bride as fit for heaven, and loudly swore
No further grace could her perfection fill.
Then I cried out to Love in sorrow's throe:
"Sweet Deity, tell death to draw me deep
Into the darkness where my heart lies low."
But Love, not understanding, turned to go
And called for my lost lady down the steep,
And made the hill re-echo with his woe.
From the Italian of Cino da Pistoia.