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Blithe spirit to have looked so clearly and proudly into time, nature, the cosmos, to have seen what the average eye sees is far baser and less true than what your noble mind conceives. Look up still higher to an eternal vision whose splendor is glimpsed in your lovely poetry, and you will see the noble destiny you've laid claim to. Then you will not feel weary or unable to make ancient seeds sprout, flower, and bear immortal fruit the sou l at last turns to. Let the church's fathers give you the staff, Father, Minister, Guide Captain--of the scattered diminished flock |
An image of the Italian text from Visconti's 1840 edition |
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Notes: From V CCIII:363. See also B S1:135:152; no MSs; Valgrisi 136. Translation: Jerrold 99. A third to Pietro Bembo; he thanked her in a letter dated March 15, 1539 April 4, 1539. Key |
