[Jacopone da Todi, O papa Bonifazio, “Laude”, LV, 13th century.]
O Boniface, who art the Pope,
Thy ban is heavy on my hope;
Thy malediction and thy hate
Have made me excommunicate.
Thy forky tongue, so like a snake's,
This wound upon my spirit makes:
There let thy tongue again be laid,
To staunch the hurt itself hath made.
None other power but thine can heal
This gaping wound I still must feel;
None other can my griefs dispel;
If thou absolve me, I am well.
By God's dear grace I humbly pray,
Speak but the words "Absolvo te":
All else I'll bear with steadfast mind,
Until I leave the world behind.
If thou wouldst struggle with me still,
And set against me all thy will,
Take other weapons for the strife,
Turn not this sword against my life.
If thou so brilliantly wouldst fence,
And wound my dauntless innocence,
Unmatched indeed thy skill must be,
If thou canst pink me openly.
For on my breast two shields I bear,
And whilst I hold them firm and fair,
I fear nor wound nor foeman's might,
Through all the ages infinite.
On my left shoulder one is hung,
The other from my right is swung;
The left of adamant is made
Not to be pierced by keenest blade.
No sword can break its steely strength,
It baffles every thrust at length;
From love of God, from strong self-scorn,
This flawless diamond shield is born.
The other shield, upon my right,
Shines with a brave and fiery light,
Of ruby is this buckler cut,
And flames of love therein are shut.
And that I love my neighbour well,
This ardent flaming shield must tell;
Come, tilt, and try if either yields;
Come to the fray and prove my shields!
Though fierce and sharp be thine attack,
By Love I'll beat thine onslaught back;
I'll speak to thee with right good will,
And gladly shalt thou listen still.
Farewell, farewell, farewell to thee!
From every ill God set thee free:
And may He grant me, by His grace,
My ills to bear with cheerful face.
Herewith I end my case
Abandoned in this place.
