March 3, 2006
-
with thanks to Plutarch

It was the day when the sun’s rays turned pale with grief
for his Maker when I was taken, and I did not defend myself
against it, for your lovely eyes, [Sir], bound me.
It did not seem to me a time for being on guard against Love’s
blows; therefore I went confident and without fear, and so my
misfortunes began in the midst of the universal woe.
Love found me altogether disarmed, and the way open through
my eyes to my heart, my eyes which are now the portal and
passageway of tears.
Therefore, as it seems to me, it got him no honour to strike me
with an arrow in that state, and not even to show his bow to you,
who were already armed.
