[002]
'Tis humane to have compassion on the afflicted; and as it
shews well in all, so it is especially demanded of those who have had
need of comfort and have found it in others: among whom, if any
had ever need thereof or found it precious or delectable, I may be
numbered;
[003]
seeing that from my early youth even to the present I
was beyond measure aflame with a most aspiring and noble love
more perhaps than, were I to enlarge upon it, would seem to accord
with my lowly condition. Whereby, among people of discernment
to whose knowledge it had come, I had much praise and high
esteem, but nevertheless extreme discomfort and suffering, not indeed
by reason of cruelty on the part of the beloved lady, but through
superabundant ardour engendered in the soul by ill-bridled desire;
the which, as it allowed me no reasonable period of quiescence,
frequently occasioned me an inordinate distress.
[004]
In which distress
so much relief was afforded me by the delectable discourse of a friend
and his commendable consolations, that I entertain a very solid
conviction that to them I owe it that I am not dead.
[005]
But, as it
pleased Him, who, being infinite, has assigned by immutable law an
end to all things mundane, my love, beyond all other fervent, and
neither to be broken nor bent by any force of determination, or
counsel of prudence, or fear of manifest shame or ensuing danger,
did nevertheless in course of time abate of its own accord, in such
wise that it has now left nought of itself in my mind but that
pleasure which it is wont to afford to him who does not adventure
too far out in navigating its deep seas; so that, whereas it was used
to be grievous, now, all discomfort being done away, I find that
which remains to be delightful. [006]But the cessation of the pain has
not banished the memory of the kind offices done me by those who
shared by sympathy the burden of my griefs; nor will it ever, I
believe, pass from me except by death.
[007]
And as among the virtues
gratitude is in my judgment most especially to be commended,
and ingratitude in equal measure to be censured, therefore, that I
show myself not ungrateful, I have resolved, now that I may call
myself free, to endeavour, in return for what I have received, to
afford, so far as in me lies, some solace, if not to those who succoured
me, and who, perchance, by reason of their good sense or good
fortune, need it not, at least to such as may be apt to receive it.
