Io sentia dentr'al cor già venir meno
gli spirti che da voi ricevon vita;
et perché natural-mente s'aita
contra la morte ogni animal terreno,
largai 'l desio, ch'i teng'or molto a freno,
et misil per la via quasi smarrita:
però che dí et notte indi m'invita,
et io contra sua voglia altronde 'l meno.
Et mi condusse, vergognoso et tardo,
a riveder gli occhi leggiadri, ond'io
per non esser lor grave assai mi guardo.
Vivrommi un tempo omai, ch'al viver mio
tanta virtute à sol un vostro sguardo;
et poi morrò, s'io non credo al desio.
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I felt those spirits weakening in my heart
that receive their life from you:
and since every earthly creature
naturally protects itself from death,
loosed my desire, that now I rein in hard,
and sent it by a road that is almost lost:
so that it draws me there, day and night,
and I lead it, against its will, another way.
And it brought me, slowly and shamefully,
to look on those delightful eyes, that I
guard myself from so they may not grow cold.
Now I'll live a while, since a mere glance of yours
has so much power to bring me to life:
then I'll die, if I don't follow my desire.
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