Quando fra l'altre donne ad ora ad ora

When from hour to hour among the other ladies

Amor vien nel bel viso di costei,

Love appears in her beautiful face,

quanto ciascuna è men bella di lei

by as much as their beauty is less than hers

tanto cresce ’l desio che m’innamora.

by so much the desire that en-amours me grows.

I’ benedico il loco e ’l tempo et l’ora

I bless the place, the time, and the hour

che sí alto miraron gli occhi mei,

in which my eyes gazed to such a height,

et dico: Anima, assai ringratiar dêi

and I say: My spirit, give thanks enough

che fosti a tanto honor degnata allora.

that you were then found worthy of such honour.

Da lei ti vèn l’amoroso pensero,

From her to you comes loving thought,

che mentre ’l segui al sommo ben t’invia,

that leads to highest good, while you pursue it,

pocho prezando quel ch’ogni huom desia;

counting as little what all men desire:

da lei vien l’animosa leggiadria

from her comes that spirit full of grace

ch’al ciel ti scorge per destro sentero,

that shows you heaven by the true way':

sí ch’i’ vo già de la speranza altero.

so that in hope I fly, already, to the heights.