Soulmate

After Louise Labé, Sonnet VII

We’ve all seen death –
the soul, the subtler part, depart the body
and if I’m the body you’re the soul, my better half.
Where are you now, beloved?
How could you leave me for so long?
I know you, you’ll be thinking
just to stretch your legs and you’ll be back –
it doesn’t work like that! You left my soulless body
swinging in the wind, unloved, unanchored.
I’m at risk, I’m nothing, you are all my worth.
So come to me, my love, but never undermine
my sanity again – no more demands,
mixed messages. Show me your softer face.
You’ve been so cruel. Time now to make amends.

On voit mourir toute chose animée,
Lors que du corps l’ame sutile part:
Je suis le corps, toy la meilleure part:
Ou es tu donq, o ame bien aymee?

Ne me laissez par si long temps pamee,
Pour me sauver apres viendrois trop tard.
Las ne mets point ton corps en ce hazart:
Rens lui sa part & moitié estimee.

Mais fais, Ami, que ne soit dangereuse
Cette rencontre & revue amoureuse,
L’accompagnant, non de severité,

Non de rigueur: mais de grace amiable,
Qui doucement me rende la beauté,
Jadis cruelle, à present favourable.

Louise Labé in Wikipedia.

Picture: detail from another lithograph by André Minaux.