II.
16 lines✦
trong passions mean weak will, and heWho truly knows the strength and blissWhich are in love, will own with meNo passion but a virtue ’tis.Few hear my word; it soars aboveThe subtlest senses of the swarmOf wretched things which know not love,Their Psyche still a wingless worm.Ice-cold seems heaven’s noble glowTo spirits whose vital heat is hell;And to corrupt hearts even soThe songs I sing, the tale I tell.These cannot see the robes of whiteIn which I sing of love. Alack,But darkness shows in heavenly light,Though whiteness, in the dark, is black!
✦