Sonnet XXIV

Do not blame me, ladies, ifI have loved
fI have felt a thousand burning torches,
A thousand labors, a thousand biting pains.
fT have worn out my days in weeping,

Alas! let my name not be insulted by you.
fI have erred, my penalties are at hand;
Do not embitter their violent barbs,
But consider that love, coming at the right moment,

Without offering Vulcan as an excuse for your
ardor,
Without accusing the beauty of Adonis,
Will be able, if he wishes, to plunge you even more
deeply in love

With less justification than I have,
And with a stranger and stronger passion.
And take care not to be even more unhappy!