The Heavens were so generous to you

The Heavens were so generous to you,
my Lord, that the more covetous Time hastes,
the less he eats: Time continually
reveals more about your deeds and shows them

to be of great value. When we match two
contraries, extremes stand revealed: beauty
shows what is less so: your courage becomes
brighter when compared to that of others.

One sees everyone else lacks something
in character or strength, which in you stirs
wise hearts to commemorate your splendor.

Out of self-respect each noble mind shall
write a timeless history of your life:
those who praise your life less, don't understand.

An image of the Italian text from Visconti's 1840 edition
Notes:
From V XL:40. See also B A1:49:27; R XXIII:74. Key

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