OF BEAUTY AND DUTY
by: Dante Alighieri (1265-1321)
- WO ladies
to the summit of my mind
- Have clomb, to hold an argument of love.
- The one has wisdom with her from above,
- For every noblest virtue well designed:
- The other, beauty's tempting power refined
- And the high charm of perfect grace approve:
- And I, as my sweet Master's will doth move,
- At feet of both their favors am reclined.
- Beauty and Duty in my soul keep strife,
- At question if the heart such course can take
- And 'twixt the two ladies hold its love complete.
- The fount of gentle speech yields answer meet,
- That Beauty may be loved for gladness sake,
- And Duty in the lofty ends of life.
"Of Beauty and Duty" was
translated into English by D.G. Rossetti (1828-1882). |
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