Lady, I have never seen you put aside your veil for sun or for shadow since you knew the great desire in me that lightens my heart of all other wishes.
While I carried my lovely thoughts hidden (with desire they are bringing death into my heart) I saw you adorn your face with pity: but since Love has made you aware of me, your blonde hair has been veiled, and your lovely gaze kept to itself. What I most desired in you has been taken from me; thus the veil controls me and to cause my death shades the sweet light of your lovely eyes in both warm and icy weather.
(Transl. by Robert M. Durling)
Lassare il velo o per sole o per ombra donna, non vi vid’io poi che in me conosceste il gran desio ch’ogni altra voglia d’entr’al cor mi sgombra.
Mentr’io portava i be’ pensier’ celati, ch’ànno la mente desïando morta, vidivi di pietate ornare il volto; ma poi ch’Amor di me vi fece accorta, fuor i biondi capelli allor velati, et l’amoroso sguardo in sé raccolto. Quel ch’i’ piú desïava in voi m’è tolto: sí mi governa il velo che per mia morte, et al caldo et al gielo, de’ be’ vostr’occhi il dolce lume adombra.
