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Eight days have passed since I parted – and already it
is as though I had been eight years away from her, although I can avow
that not one hour has passed without her memory which has become such a
close companion to my thoughts that now more than ever is it the food and
sustenance of my soul; and if it should endure like this a few days more,
as seems it must, I truly believe it will in every way have assumed the
office of my soul, and I shall then live and thrive on the memory of her
as do other men upon their souls, and I shall have no life but in this
single thought. Let the God who so decrees do as he will, so long as in
exchange I may have as much a part of her as shall suffice to prove the
gospel of our affinity is founded on true prophecy. Often I find myself
recalling, and with what ease, certain words spoken to me, some on the
balcony with the moon as witness, others at that window I shall always
look upon so gladly, with all the many endearing and gracious acts I have
seen my gentle lady perform – for all are dancing about my heart with a
tenderness so wondrous that they inflame me with a strong desire to beg
her to test the quality of my love. For I shall never rest content until
I am certain she knows what she is able to enact in me and how great and
strong is the fire that her great worth has kindled in my breast. The flame
of true love is a mighty force, and most of all when two equally matched
wills in two exalted minds contend to see which loves the most, each striving
to give yet more vital proof... It would be the greatest delight for me
to see just two lines – yet I dare not ask so much. May your Ladyship beseech
her to perform whatever you feel is best for me. With my heart I kiss your
Ladyship's hand, since I cannot with my lips.
~ Pietro Bembo
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