time that words of hers had reached my ears, I was smitten with such delight that I broke away from the company I was in like a drunken man. And having retired within the solitude of my chamber, I sate me down to meditate upon that most courteous lady; and as I mused, a sweet sleep came over me, wherein a marvellous vision was presented to my eyes."
The vision is described in the sonnet that follows, so that it is unnecessary to give it twice, though this the poet does in detail, lingering over every word of the prolonged and mystic tale:—
"Then musing upon what I had seen, I resolved to make it known to the many famous poets of the time; and having erewhile proved myself to possess the art of discoursing in rhyme, I determined to make a sonnet, in which, saluting all that were under fealty to Love, and entreating them to expound my vision, I should relate that which I beheld in my sleep; and this was the sonnet that I made:—
"To every captive soul and gentle heart,
Into whose sight shall come this song of mine,
That they to me its matter may divine,
Be greeting in Love's name, our master's, sent!
A fourth part of the hours was nearly spent,
When all the stars of heaven most brightly shine,
When Love came suddenly before mine eyne,
Remembering whom with horror makes me start.
Joyful he seemed, and bore within his hand
My heart; while in his arms, and calmly sleeping,
My lady, folded in a mantle, lay.
He woke her, and she ate by his command
The burning heart, as though she feared her prey;
And then Love went his way, deject and weeping."
