Canzoniere/Poem XXV

SONNET XXI.

_Amor piangeva, ed io con lui talvolta._

HE CONGRATULATES BOCCACCIO ON HIS RETURN TO THE RIGHT PATH.

Love grieved, and I with him at times, to see By what strange practices and cunning art, You still continued from his fetters free, From whom my feet were never far apart. Since to the right way brought by God's decree, Lifting my hands to heaven with pious heart, I thank Him for his love and grace, for He   The soul-prayer of the just will never thwart: And if, returning to the amorous strife, Its fair desire to teach us to deny, Hollows and hillocks in thy path abound, 'Tis but to prove to us with thorns how rife The narrow way, the ascent how hard and high, Where with true virtue man at last is crown'd.

MACGREGOR.

Cancionero, Lloraba Amor y yo con él lloraba Canzoniere (Rerum vulgarium fragmenta)/Amor piangeva, et io con lui talvolta