OF PETRARCH.
237
THE ISLE OF LOVE.
—Beyond where that Egean sea
Does sigh and mourn so oft,
There lies an isle delectable,
More pleasant, plain, and soft,
Does sigh and mourn so oft,
There lies an isle delectable,
More pleasant, plain, and soft,
Than any other isle that is
Both wet and washed with sea,
Or warmed with the funny beams,
Or yet inflamed be.
Both wet and washed with sea,
Or warmed with the funny beams,
Or yet inflamed be.
In midst thereof there is a hill
Of shadow full and green,
With favour sweet, and fragrant scent,
With water sweet and clean;
Of shadow full and green,
With favour sweet, and fragrant scent,
With water sweet and clean;
Whose virtue is, and whole office,
To take out of the mind
All sad and pensive blots and marks,
That has with grief it pined.
To take out of the mind
All sad and pensive blots and marks,
That has with grief it pined.
This is the land wherewith so much
Fair Venus is content,
Which consecrat was to that queen,
That time, by men's consent,
Fair Venus is content,
Which consecrat was to that queen,
That time, by men's consent,
