330
MONNA INNOMINATA.
2.
"Era gia l'ora che volge il desio."—Dante.
"Ricorro al tempo ch' io vi vidi prima."—Petrarca.
"Ricorro al tempo ch' io vi vidi prima."—Petrarca.
I wish I could remember that first day,
First hour, first moment of your meeting me.
If bright or dim the season, it might be
Summer or Winter for aught I can say;
So unrecorded did it slip away,
So blind was I to see and to foresee,
So dull to mark the budding of my tree
That would not blossom yet for many a May,
If only I could recollect it, such
A day of days!
I let it come and go
As traceless as a thaw of bygone snow;
It seemed to mean so little, meant so much;
If only now I could recall that touch,
First touch of hand in hand—Did one but know!
First hour, first moment of your meeting me.
If bright or dim the season, it might be
Summer or Winter for aught I can say;
So unrecorded did it slip away,
So blind was I to see and to foresee,
So dull to mark the budding of my tree
That would not blossom yet for many a May,
If only I could recollect it, such
A day of days!
I let it come and go
As traceless as a thaw of bygone snow;
It seemed to mean so little, meant so much;
If only now I could recall that touch,
First touch of hand in hand—Did one but know!
3.
"O ombre vane, fuor che ne l'aspetto!"—Dante.
"Immaginata guida la conduce."—Petrarca.
"Immaginata guida la conduce."—Petrarca.
I dream of you to wake: would that I might
Dream of you and not wake but slumber on;
Nor find with dreams the dear companion gone,
As Summer ended Summer birds take flight.
Dream of you and not wake but slumber on;
Nor find with dreams the dear companion gone,
As Summer ended Summer birds take flight.
