Real Natura, Angelico Intelletto by Francesco Petrarca

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ON THE KISS OF HONOUR GIVEN BY CHARLES OF LUXEMBURG TO LAURA AT A / BANQUET.

A kingly nature, an angelic mind, / A spotless soul, prompt aspect and keen eye, / Quick penetration, contemplation high / And truly worthy of the breast which shrined: / In bright assembly lovely ladies join'd / To grace that festival with gratulant joy, / Amid so many and fair faces nigh / Soon his good judgment did the fairest find.

Of riper age and higher rank the rest / Gently he beckon'd with his hand aside, / And lovingly drew near the perfect ONE: / So courteously her eyes and brow he press'd, / All at his choice in fond approval vied -- / Envy through my sole veins at that sweet freedom run.

MACGREGOR.

A sovereign nature, -- an exalted mind, -- / A soul proud -- sleepless -- with a lynx's eye, -- / An instant foresight, -- thought as towering high, / E'en as the heart in which they are enshrined: / A bright assembly on that day combined / Each other in his honour to outvie, / When 'mid the fair his judgment did descry / That sweet perfection all to her resign'd.

Unmindful of her rival sisterhood, / He motion'd silently his preference, / And fondly welcomed her, that humblest one: / So pure a kiss he gave, that all who stood, / Though fair, rejoiced in beauty's recompense: / By that strange act nay heart was quite undone!

WOLLASTON.

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