French fiction -- Translations into English; Italian fiction -- Translations into English
Carnation, resemblinge two lyttle Apples that were arryued to
the due time of their maturity and ripenesse. And then hir
Coralline mouth, through which breathing, issued out a breath
more soote and sauorous than Ambre, Muske, or other Aromaticall
Parfume, that euer the sweete Soyle of Arabie brought forth. She
sometime vnclosing the doore of hir Lips, discouered two rancke
of Pearles, so finely blanched, as the purest Orient would
blushe, if it were compared with the Beauty of thys incomparable
whitenesse. But hee that will take vppon hym to speake of all
hir inspeakable Beauty, may make his vaunte that he hath seene
all the greatest perfections that euer dame Nature wrought. Now
to come a little lower, on this freshe Diana appeared a Neck,
that surmounted the Blaunch colour of Mylke, were it neuer so
excellent white, and hir Stomacke somewhat mounting by the two
Pomels, and firme Teates of hir Breasts separated in equal
distaunce, was couered wyth a vayle, so lose, and fine, as those
two little prety Mountaynes might easily be Discried, to moue,
and remooue, according to the affection that rose in the centre
of that modest, and sober Pucelle’s mynde: who ouer, and besides
all thys, had sutch a pleasaunt Countenaunce, and ioyefull
cheere, as hir Beauty more than wonderfull, rendred hir not so
woorthy to be serued, and loued, as hir natural goodnesse,
and disposed curtesie appearing in hir Face, and hir excellent
entertaynement and comely Grace to all indifferently. This was
not to imitate the maner of the most parte of our fayre Ladies,
and Gentlewomen, who (mooued wyth what Opinion I know not) be so
disdaynefull, as almost theyr name causeth discontentment, and
breedeth in them great imperfection. And who by thinking to
appeare more braue, and fine, by to mutch squeymishe dealing,
doe offuscate and darken with folly their exterior Beauty,
blotting, and defacing that which beauty maketh amiable, and
worthy of honor. I leaue you now to consider wheather Dom Deigo
had occasion to Forgo his Speach, and to bee bereft of Sense,
being liuely assayled with one so well armed as Gineura was with
hir Graces and Honesty: who no lesse abashed with the Port,
Countenaunce, sweete talk, and stately Behauiour of the knight,
which she vewed to be in him by stealing lookes, felt a motion
(not wonted or accustomed) in hir tender heart, that made hir to
chaunge color, and by like occasion speachlesse: an ordinary
custome in them that be surprised with the malady of loue to
lose the vse of speach where the same is most needefull to gieue
the intier charge in the heart, which not able to support and
beare the burden of so many passions, departeth some portion to
the eyes, as to the faythful messengers of the mynde’s secret
conceipts, which tormented beyond measure, and burninge with
affection, causeth sometimes the Humor to gushe out in that
parte that discouered the first assault, and bred the cause of
that Feuer, which frighted the hearts of those two yong persons,
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
Reviews
Reviews
No reviews yet
Be the first to share your thoughts on this work.
Elsewhere in the archive
Join the Discussion
Join the discussion
Sign in to leave a comment or review.
Sign InorCreate an account