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In simple and plain words those saints wrote of God's acts, splendid presence, regal command, radiant community here on earth, of the bright light that forever shines in Paradise--the truth has a force that needs no art. So too I write in praise of you-- whom I believe unique, as best I can, as truth demands to be told. Don't disdain these lines--they are a kind of engraving, a circle of gems, a modest pleasure which can't obscure such haunting radiance. Your searching exacting integrity is the richest treasure--the inward thing my low bare style fits, is part of, transcribes. |
An image of the Italian text from Visconti's 1840 edition |
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Notes: From V CCII:362. See B S1:139:154; MSs L, A, CASI, Cor, RA, VI, Ve2, Ve4; Valgrisi 140. To Giovanni Guidiccioni. Dionisotti ("Appunti", p. 268) connects to Guidiccioni's oration in defense of people of Lucca in 1533; see also 1538 edition. One MS says it's to Bembo, but the high praise for excellent poetry suggests Guidiccioni's melancholy lapidary quality. Key |
