| Samuel Waddington, comp. The Sonnets of Europe. 1888. | | | | Oft Have We Heard | | By Torquato Tasso (1544–1595) |
| | Translated by John Hoole
Se d’ Icara leggesti
OFT have we heard, in Po’s imperial tide | |
| How hapless Phaëton was headlong thrown, | |
| Who durst aspire the sun’s bright steeds to guide, | |
| And wreathe his brows with splendours not his own! | |
| Oft have we heard, how ’midst the Icarian main | 5 |
| Fell the rash youth who tried too bold a flight;— | |
| Thus shall it fare with him, who seeks in vain | |
| On mortal wings to reach the empyreal height. | |
| But who, inspired by love, can dangers fear? | |
| What cannot Love that guides the rolling sphere,— | 10 |
| Whose powerful magic earth and heaven controls? | |
| Love brought Diana from the starry sky, | |
| Smit with the beauties of a mortal eye; | |
| Love snatched the boy of Ida to the poles. | | | | |
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