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(Franco's reply to Capitolo 9.) I went away, departing from you, in order to force you out of loving me, not at all to seem thankless for so much love; nor is it my fault if anyone boasts of giving me favors in word or deed without having received more than ample reward. But if a man, following his heart's desire, makes me regret it, which delights him even more, he deserves nothing, and scorns and dishonors me. But those are certainly love's just rewards when, to please me, your sad days turn to happy ones, on my account....... There a light that robbed the sun of its pride so dazzled me that never will my soul be as contented by any other love. And so my wavering style would no longer stray, I left, to free you from love for me, with feet eager and longing for flight. I know that absence lessens love's fury; and when you, having lived to the full, still loving, decide to leave life behind, with these eyes I'll not torture both you and myself....... [ll. 1-12, 73-82; pp. 113-117] |
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