CELESTIAL LOVE – Poetry, by Michelangelo Buonarroti

Despite making few forays beyond the arts, his versatility in the disciplines he took up was of such a high order. Michelangelo Buonarroti (1475/1564) was an Italian Renaissance painter, but also sculptor, architect, poet, and engineer. He is considered a contender for the title of the archetypal Renaissance man, along with his rival and fellow Leonardo da Vinci.

CELESTIAL LOVE > No mortal thing enthralled these longing eyes when perfect peace in thy fair face I found. But far within, where all is holy ground, my soul felt Love, her comrade of the skies. For she was born with God in Paradise. Nor all the shows of beauty shed around this fair false world her wings to earth have bound. Unto the Love of Loves aloft she flies. Nay, things that suffer death, quench not the fire of deathless spirits. Nor eternity serves sordid Time, that withers all things rare. Not love but lawless impulse is desire.That slays the soul; our love makes still more fair.

http://www.amazon.com/Poetry-Michelangelo-Annotated-Translation/dp/0300055099