My divine Lysis - Sor Juana Inés de la Cruz

My divine Lysis:

do forgive my daring,

if so I address you,

unworthy though I am to be known as yours.

I cannot think it bold

to call you so, well knowing

you've ample thunderbolts

to shatter any overweening of mine.

It's the tongue that misspeaks

when what is called dominion--

I mean, the master's rule--

is made to seem possession by the slave.

The vassal says: my king;

my prison, the convict says;

and any humble slave

will call the master his without offense.

Thus, when I call you mine,

it's not that I expect

you'll be considered such--

only that I hope I may be yours.

I saw you-need more be said?

To broadcast a fire,

telling the cause suffices--

no need to apportion blame for the effect.

Seeing you so exalted

does not prevent my daring;

no god is ever secure

against the lofty flight of human thought.

There are women more deserving,

yet in distance from heaven

the humblest of valleys

seems no farther than the highest peak.

In sum, I must admit

to the crime of adoring you;

should you wish to punish me,

the very punishment will be reward.

---

Sor Juana Inés de la Cruz (1651 - 1695) Mexico

Translator not stated

Source: My Poetic Side