“STOLEN PLEASURES ARE DELIGHTFUL IN THE TASTE” – READ JOHN FLORIO’S SONNET FOR #WORDPOETRYDAY

Did you know that John Florio was also a poet? He wrote sonnets in both Italian & English!

JOHN FLORIO’S ITALIAN & ENGLISH SONNETS

🌹 John Florio’s Sonnet II. X #Worldpoetryday​

And if not I, what Lady else can sing,

Of those delights, which kind contentment bring?

Come, come, sweet Love, the cause of my chiefe good,

Of all my hopes, the firme and full effect;

Sing wee together, but in no sad mood,

Of sighes or teares, which joy doth countercheck:

Stolne pleasures are delightful in the taste,

But yet Loves fire is oftentimes too fierce;

Consuming comfort with ore-speedy haste,

Which into gentle hearts too far doth pierce.

And if not I, etc.

The first day that I felt this fiery heate,

So sweete a passion did possesse my soule,

That though I found the torment sharp, and great;

Yet still me thought t’was but a sweete controule.

Nor could I count it rude, or rigorous,

Taking my wound from such a piercing eye:

As made the paine most pleasing, gracious,

That I desire in such assults to die.

And if not I, etc.

Grant then great God of love,

that I may still Enjoy the benefit of my desire;

And honour her with all my deepest skill,

That first enflam’d my heart with holy fire.

To her my bondage is free liberty,

My sicknesse health, my tortures sweet repose;

Say shee the word, in full felicity

All my extreames joyne in an happy close.

Then if not I, what Lover else can sing,

Of those delights which kind contentment bring?

– John Florio