Chapter 12 No.12

(Celeste, in the Convent at Arcetri, writes to her old lover at Rome.)

My friend, my dearest friend, my own dear love,

I, who am dead to love, and see around me

The funeral tapers lighted, send this cry

Out of my heart to yours, before the end.

You told me once you would endure the rack

To save my heart one pang. O, save it now!