Benvenuto Cellini (1500–1571). Autobiography.
The Harvard Classics. 1909–14.
Introductory Sonnet
T
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:
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—
The wind it beareth man’s frail thoughts away.
Yet, since remorse avails not, I’m content,
As erst I came,
Here in the Flower of this fair Tuscan land.