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(By an unknown author, in praise of Verona,
where Franco is staying.) Truly, fair Verona, you are one of a kind, now that my gentle Veronica beautifies you with her unique beauty. She, who's never had an equal or peer, Adria's nymph now with her fair face brings you in midwinter an April full of joy; the sun of her face and the stars of her eyes and the calm serenity of her sweet laugh turn you, indeed, to a heaven on earth; but the brilliant intellect that the heavenly Mover gave her, in his image, united with her other beautiful qualities, so far surpasses all those other gifts that our human vision cannot reach far enough to perceive such great virtue at such a distance. The bodily eye can scarcely bear the splendor of her brow; beholding it, human sight becomes dazzled and dazed: this lady of mine, gently turning around, sets the air all about her to sparkling and banishes tempests and clouds far away. The gleam of her eye bedecks the world with roses and violets, and with her, gay, everlasting spring comes to stay....... [ll. 1-24; pp. 119] |
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