I live and die; drowning I burn to death,
Seared by the ice and frozen by the fire;
Life is as hard as iron, as soft as breath;
My joy and trouble dance on the same wire.
In the same sudden breath I laugh and weep,
My torment pleasure where my pleasure grieves;
My treasure's lost which I for all time keep,
At once I wither and put out new leaves.
Thus constant Love is my inconstant guide;
And when I am to pain's refinement brought,
Beyond all hope, he grants me a reprieve.
And when I think joy cannot be denied,
And scaled the peak of happiness I sought,
He casts me down into my former grief.
Louise Labé (1524 – 1566) born in Lyon FranceSeared by the ice and frozen by the fire;
Life is as hard as iron, as soft as breath;
My joy and trouble dance on the same wire.
In the same sudden breath I laugh and weep,
My torment pleasure where my pleasure grieves;
My treasure's lost which I for all time keep,
At once I wither and put out new leaves.
Thus constant Love is my inconstant guide;
And when I am to pain's refinement brought,
Beyond all hope, he grants me a reprieve.
And when I think joy cannot be denied,
And scaled the peak of happiness I sought,
He casts me down into my former grief.
Eighth Sonnet - one of many translations.
Image : "Portrait of Simonetta Vespucci as Nymph"
"Idealized Portrait of a Young Lady"
Sandro Botticelli - 1445 - 1510
Image : "Portrait of Simonetta Vespucci as Nymph"
"Idealized Portrait of a Young Lady"
Sandro Botticelli - 1445 - 1510
