Oh! ’tis a merciless decree,
That to the envied world denies
The sound of that sweet voice which we
So much admire, so dearly prize!
The noble thought and dulcet lay,
Breathing of passions so refined
By Honor’s breath, would drive away
Sharp sorrow from the gloomiest mind.
Yet ’tis enough for our deserts,
That eyes and smiles so calm and coy
Diffuse through our enchanted hearts
A holy and celestial joy.
There would be no more blessed place
Than this, our spirits to rejoice,
If, as we view thy heavenly face,
We also heard thy heavenly voice!
Torquato Tasso (1544–1595) Italy
Translated by Jeremiah Holmes Wiffen
Source: Library of World’s Best Literature. Charles Dudley Warner, et al., Warner Library Co., 1917
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