The Sonnets Of Tommaso Campanella - To God On Prayer.

Tu che Forza ed Amor.


O Thou, who, mingling Force and Love, dost draw
        And guide the complex of all entities,
        Framed for that purpose; whence our reason sees
        In supreme Fate the synthesis of Law;
Though prayers transgress which find defect or flaw
        In things foredoomed by Thy divine decrees,
        Yet wilt Thou modify, by slow degrees
        Or swift, good times or bad Thy mind foresaw:
I therefore pray--I who through years have been
        The scorn of fools, the butt of impious men,
        Suffering new pains and torments day by day--
Shorten this anguish, Lord, these griefs allay;
        For still Thou shalt not have changed counsel when
        I soar from hence to liberty foreseen.