Quand’El Ministro De’ Sospir Me’ Tanti

When she who ministereth sighs, withdrew From the world’s sight, from her own self and mine, Nature, who made her in our eyes to shine, Remained abashed, and downcast all who knew. Yet be not Death of his loud vauntings rife O’er the sun’s sun, as over others; Love Hath him subdued, and her endowed with life Both here below, and with the pure above. Unjust and haughty Death did so engage To hush her praises, and her soul bestow Where it would seem less beautiful; and lo! Reverse effects illuminate Time’s page; On earth, more life than she in life possessed, While Heaven who wished her, now enjoyeth blest.

The thought, that Nature is disgraced in the loss of its best creation, is repeated in Michelangelo’s poetry. (See sonnet No. 4 [XVII], madrigal No. 9 [XIII].)

Two other sonnets, Nos. LXIII and LXIV, breathe an atmosphere of the most gloomy despair. The first expresses a profound self-reproach; the time to soar heavenward was while the sun of life still shone; it is now too late. The second declares that the flame has expired, to leave only ashes without a spark.

I do not doubt that here also belongs another sonnet, placed by Guasti as if belonging to an earlier date.