Petrarch - Sonnet CCI lyrics

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 a**embly 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 a**embly 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.