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 skillHas 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.