i8o EXAMINATION of nn HISTORICAL HYPOTHESIS 



point, let him read the following flriking apoftrophe in fon- 

 net 302. : 



Donna, cbe lieta *, &c. 



" O Lady, that now flandeft in the prefence of Gon ; as, fure 

 " thy fpotlefs life has well deferved that place ! O matchlefs pa- 

 " ragon of all that is excellent in woman ! Now, with the eyes 

 " of Him who fees all things, thou beholdeft my faithful love, 

 " my pure and virtuous affedlion ; and thou feed, that towards 

 *' thee my heart felt the fame emotions while thou wert on 

 ** earth, as now in heaven. O, that, in reward of all my length- 

 " ened fufferings, I foon may join thee there !" 



In the end of fonnet 303., immediately following, he thus ex- 

 prelTes himfelf : 



Sol vn conforto f , &c. 



" My only comfort is, that flie who fees my thoughts, may ob- 

 " tain for me that mercy that I may foon be with her." 



So,, 



* Donna, che licta col principio nojlro 

 1'iji-ai come tiia vita alma tichiedi, 

 ^JJ'ifa in aha e gkriofa fede. — 



dclle donne altera e raro mojlro. 

 Hot- nd niolto di lui che tutto iiede, 

 Vcdi- 'I mio amore-, e quella purafede.—' 



E fenti, che ver te it mio core in terra 

 Talfu, qual hora in cielo.~ 



Dunque per ammendar la htnga guerra, 

 Per cui dal mondo a te Jola mi volji, 

 Prega, ch' io vaiga tojlo ajlar con voi. 



\ Sol 'un conforto a le mie pene afpctto 

 Ch' tlla cbe vede tutti i miei penjieri 

 M' impttrt gratia ch' i' poffi ijferfeco^ 



