These and more wonderful
things proceeded from her, marvellously and in reality. Wherefore I,
thinking on all this, proposed to say some words, in which I would
exhibit her marvellous and excellent influences, to the end that not
only those who might actually behold her, but also others, might know of
her whatever words could tell. Then I wrote this sonnet:--
"So gentle and so modest doth appear
My lady when she giveth her salute,
That every tongue becometh trembling
mute,
Nor do the eyes to look upon her dare.
"And though she hears her praises, she doth
go
Benignly clothed with humility,
And like a thing come down she seems
to be
From heaven to earth, a miracle to show.
"So pleaseth she whoever cometh nigh,
She gives the heart a sweetness through
the eyes,
Which none can understand who doth
not prove.
"And from her lip there seems indeed to move
A spirit sweet and in Love's very guise,
Which goeth saying to the soul, 'Ah,
sigh!'"[U]
[Footnote U: Perhaps the spirit of the latter part of this sonnet may be
better conveyed by rendering thus:--
"So pleaseth she all those approaching nigh
her,
* * * * *
Which goeth saying to the soul, 'Aspire!'"
Compare the very beautiful Ballata vi. and Sonnet xlviii., beginning,
"Di donne io vidi una gentile schiera."
]
With this incomparable sonnet we close that part of the "Vita Nuova"
which relates to the life of Beatrice.
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