Illumination from manuscript based
on Adelard of Bath's translation of
Euclid's Elements (c. 1309-1316)
Sonnet II: Tangent Lines
Like tangents, youthful lovers touch but once,
a fleeting intersection of their hearts
that fades when destiny deems fit to thwart
the doings of prideful Man. Make allowance,
O blesséd stars, for mine; though I be damn’d
to sinfulness, I love but one, I know,
and pray our time not passéd long ago.
I need a sign, so I may have her hand.
I love her still, e’en if our stars diverge;
if it be damned, then I will bide alone,
for parallel with hers mine heart does run.
No boon ask I for courtship mine but cour’ge.
For fifteen years I ne’er let this be known,
but I hold hope to join one day as one.
