Petrarch - Sonnet XXII lyrics

ON THE SAME SUBJECT. Than me more joyful never reach'd the shore A vessel, by the winds long tost and tried, Whose crew, late hopeless on the waters wide, To a good God their thanks, now prostrate, pour; Nor captive from his dungeon ever tore, Around whose neck the noose of d**h was tied, More glad than me, that weapon laid aside Which to my lord hostility long bore. All ye who honour love in poet strain, To the good minstrel of the amorous lay Return due praise, though once he went astray; For greater glory is, in Heaven's blest reign, Over one sinner saved, and higher praise, Than e'en for ninety-nine of perfect ways. Macgregor.