Sonnets by Immanuel of Rome

A Little Thought

A casual little thought just came to me –
Heaven I'd hate. I'd rather go to Hell,
Where I'd find honey, other sweets as well,
For gorgeous women, ardent girls I'd see.

In Heaven loverless I'd surely be.
It's full of withered crones, as I've heard tell –
Blacker than pitch, covered with tetters fell:
Their company would give my soul no glee.

Heaven, you're naught to me, since you embrace
The ugly women and the bashful guys:
And so you are as nothing in my eyes.

Hell, you're full of majesty and grace.
The well-dressed women all live in that place,
And pretty faces come as no surprise!

The Indigent Maiden

My breasts are ripe, my hair is grown,
Being poor, I needs must stand aside.
At my approach the suitors hide,
So, to my shame, I stay alone.

How can my heart do aught but groan,
Since penniless I here abide?
Three older sisters by my side
Join me as I keen and moan.

Should men desire my dried-up bones?
How shall I dodge my certain fate?
With locusts' speed my days depart.

The wise declare in solemn tones:
“The girl who dies without a date
In heaven's joys shall have no part!”

–Immanuel of Rome (thirteenth century)
For commentary click on the above link.

Translated from the original Hebrew by Alan Corré