Sonnet XX: I Always Knew - Louise Labé

It was prophesied that, some fine day,

I would love deeply one whose figure

was described; and with never a picture,

I knew him, finding him, on my way.

Then, seeing him in love, fatally,

I had mercy on his misadventure,

and so went against my nature

as to love him, and just as ardently.

Who would have thought that it could grow,

this thing that heaven and destiny did sow?

But when I see the sky with clouds oppressed,

with winds so cruel, in so foul a storm, 

I think it was Hades must have blessed

me with this shipwreck where they swarm.

---

Louise Charlin Perrin Labé [La Belle Cordière] ( c. 1524 – 1566) France

Translated by A. S. Kline

Source: Poetry in Translation