Publisher's Synopsis
This historic book may have numerous typos and missing text. Purchasers can usually download a free scanned copy of the original book (without typos) from the publisher. Not indexed. Not illustrated. 1892 edition. Excerpt: ... third, I tell how she wrought not only in ladies, but in all persons, and how she marvellously wrought not only in presence, but also in memory. The second begins here: "Her sight;" the third, here: "So gentle." XXVIII. After this I began to think one day upon what I had said of my lady, that is, in these two preceding sonnets; and seeing in my thought that I had not spoken of that which at the present time she wrought in me, it seemed to me that I had spoken defectively; and therefore I resolved to say words in which I would tell how I seemed to myself to be disposed to her influence, and how her virtue wrought in me., And not believing that I could relate this in the brevity of a sonnet, I began then a canzone which begins: --So long hath Love retained me at his hest, And to his sway hath so accustomed me, That as at first he cruel used to be, So in my heart he now doth sweetly rest. Thus when by him my strength is dispossessed, So that the spirits seem away to flee, My frail soul feels such sweetness verily, That with it pallor doth my face invest. Then Love in me doth with such power prevail, He makes my sighs in words to take their way; And they go forth to pray My lady that she give me greater hale. Where'er she sees me, this to me occurs; Nor can it be believed what humbleness is hers. 1/ / XXIX. Quomodo sedet sola civitas plena populo! facta est quasi vidua domina gentium How doth the city sit solitary, that was full of people! How is she become as a widow! she that was great among the nations. I was yet full of the design of this canzone, and had completed this above-written stanza thereof, when the Lord of Justice called this most gentle one to glory, under the banner of that holy Queen Mary, whose name was ever spoken...
