You told me, Mistress, standing at the window

Poem by Pierre De Ronsard Collection Sonnets for HélèneThemes LovePeriod 16th century

You told me, Mistress, standing at the window,
Looking toward Montmartre and the surrounding fields:
The solitary life, and the desert stay
Are worth more than the Court, I would gladly be there.

Then my spirit would be master of my senses,
In fasting and prayers I would spend the day:
I would defy the darts and flames of Love
That cruel one could not feed on my blood.

When I answered you, You are mistaken to think
That a fire is not fire, because it covers itself with ash:
Over the sacred cloisters the flame can be seen passing:

Love in the deserts as in the cities is engendered.
Against a God so powerful, who can force the Gods,
Fasts nor prayers can defend themselves.

Pierre de Ronsard

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Text published on Poésies 123: https://www.poesies123.com/en/poem-you-told-me-mistress-standing-at-the-window-pierre-de-ronsard/