THAT CONSTRAINT: Renaissance poetry, by Vittoria Colonna

THAT CONSTRAINT

That constraint where my happy fate to the will of Heaven tied me, to my great sorrow was dissolved by the cruel death. The suffering was so heavy and hard to bear that suddenly has deleted all my joy and, if it were not for the reason that finally won, I would have made my life short. But the fear of losing salvation and go to a place too far from the one where the beautiful face shines more than any star has mitigated the pain, because no one else could do it expedient. I am hoping to see that soul to heaven more beautiful than any other.

(Vittoria Colonna)

http://www.amazon.com/Vittoria-Colonna-Selections-Spirituali-Photographs/dp/0889843708