Benvenuto Cellini (1500–1571). Autobiography.
The Harvard Classics. 1909–14. |
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| Introductory Sonnet |
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| THIS tale of my sore-troubled life I write, | |
| To thank the God of nature, who conveyed | |
| My soul to me, and with such care hath stayed | |
| That divers noble deeds I’ve brought to light. | |
| ’Twas He subdued my cruel fortune’s spite: | 5 |
| Life glory virtue measureless hath made | |
| Such grace worth beauty be through me displayed | |
| That few can rival, none surpass me quite. | |
| Only it grieves me when I understand | |
| What precious time in vanity I’ve spent— | 10 |
| The wind it beareth man’s frail thoughts away. | |
| Yet, since remorse avails not, I’m content, | |
| As erst I came, WELCOME to go one day, | |
| Here in the Flower of this fair Tuscan land. | |
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