FROM THE ITALIAN OF CAVALCANTI.
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UIDO CAVALCANTI TO DANTE ALIGHIERI: [Published by Forman (who assigns it to 1815), "Poetical Works of P. B.S.", 1876.] Returning from its daily quest, my SpiritChanged thoughts and vile in thee doth weep to find:It grieves me that thy mild and gentle mindThose ample virtues which it did inheritHas lost. Once thou didst loathe the multitude _5Of blind and madding men--I then loved thee--I loved thy lofty songs and that sweet moodWhen thou wert faithful to thyself and meI dare not now through thy degraded stateOwn the delight thy strains inspire--in vain _10I seek what once thou wert--we cannot meetAnd we were wont. Again and yet againPonder my words: so the false Spirit shall flyAnd leave to thee thy true integrity. ***
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