Page:Dante and His Circle, with the Italian Poets Preceding Him.djvu/80

36 strange thing, to wit: that having written the list, I found my lady's name would not stand otherwise than ninth in order among the names of these ladies.

Now it so chanced with her by whose means I had thus long time concealed my desire, that it behoved her to leave the city I speak of, and to journey afar: wherefore I, being sorely perplexed at the loss of so excellent a defence, had more trouble than even I could before have supposed. And thinking that if I spoke not somewhat mournfully of her departure, my former counterfeiting would be the more quickly perceived, I determined that I would make a grievous sonnet thereof; the which I will write here, because it hath certain words in it whereof my lady was the immediate cause, as will be plain to him that understands. And the sonnet was this:—

ye that pass along Love's trodden way,

Pause ye awhile and say

If there be any grief like unto mine:

I pray you that you hearken a short space

Patiently, if my case

Be not a piteous marvel and a sign.

Love (never, certes, for my worthless part,

But of his own great heart,)

Vouchsafed to me a life so calm and sweet

That oft I heard folk question as I went

What such great gladness meant:—

They spoke of it behind me in the street.