O YE WHO WANDER IN THE PATH OF LOVE

by: Dante Alighieri (1265-1321)

YE who wander in the path of Love,

Attend to me and see,

If there be any sorrow great as mine;

I pray you but to hear me patiently,

And then think whether I

Of every torment am the abode and key.

Love, not through merit of my slender worth,

But through his nobleness,

Had placed me in a life so calm and sweet,

That oft I heard behind me voices say,

Tell me the mighty worth

Entitles this man to a heart so light.

Now have I wholly lost the spirit bold

That from the fountain of Love's treasure flow'd,

Whence I am left so poor,

I tremble to give utterance to thought;

So that, endeavouring to do like those

Who strive to hide their penury through shame,

I wear a face of joy,

And inwardly at heart I pine and mourn.

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