TO VITTORIA COLONNA

by: Michelangelo Buonarroti (1475-1564)

HEN the prime mover of many sighs

Heaven took through death from out her earthly place,

Nature, that never made so fair a face,

Remained ashamed, and tears were in all eyes.

O fate, unheeding my impassioned cries!

O hopes fallacious! O thou spirit of grace,

Where art thou now? Earth holds in its embrace

Thy lovely limbs, thy holy thoughts the skies.

Vainly did cruel death attempt to stay

The rumor of thy virtuous renown,

That Lethe's waters could not wash away!

A thousand leaves, since he hath stricken thee down,

Speak of thee, not to thee could Heaven convey,

Except through death, a refuge and a crown.

• Michelangelo Buonarroti: Bibliography - A selected bibliography of the works of Michelangelo Buonarroti; includes a list of critical resources.
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