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Lady Beatrice's Unexpected Death
Tell him who loves me well that my last breath
will end the pain of illness, and bring peace
to soul and body. I do not fear death;
only that he (whose verses please my heart,
so well he writes) should be, a while, apart
(at least not separated into hell;
and no one there not bothering a damn---
forgive me that infernal pun). And tell
him that my marriage really is a sham:
the problems that it caused us will now cease.
Our love remains as pure as ever. We
can never be charged with adultery.
The banker will recover. Just as well
must Dante, soon: for he has promised me
that I would be described as poetry
has not described a woman hitherto.
He has sufficient talent for that. You
dare not make accusation of conceit.
He said that I will always be his Muse
(sometime before the wedding, as my shoes
slipped off, and he knelt to my stockinged feet
and, breathing deeply, kissed them ardently;
I died now with that tender memory
no just the past's, but sweetly present). Tell
him Love, Who moves the stars, makes all things well.
Starward
[jlc]
