Two Sonnets for Two Ladies

To Lady Concupiscentia

O Lady, you are beautiful, yet cruel,
As haughty dames in courtly love songs are.
You draw me by your charms and I, a fool,
Race quick to you, though virtue would me bar.
Icarus-like I flew into your sky,
Apollo and Poseidon me to slay.
Heedless of father’s wisdom did I fly,
Tearing age-worn eyes, making night of day.
Odysseus tied hard to mast of ship,
Was not so tempted by the Siren’s song
As I am by your tongue of poisoned tip.
He bound himself; I, unbound, seek your wrong.
     Dalila’s love for Sampson was more true
     Than that, my vixen, I receive from you.

* * * * * * *

To Lady Maria

My Lady, you are terrible, yet fair;
E’en as armies set in battle array,
But merciful to children in despair.
Your austere love uplifts, takes guilt away.
Your conversation has no bitterness,
Nor tediousness has your company.
In you I have only joy and gladness,
For your spirit is sweet above honey.
Take me and make me your slave forever;
Chain my poor heart, O Immaculate One!
Apart from you I hope to be never,
But rather bound both to you and your Son.
     To serve you, noble Lady, is to reign.
     Such merciful thralldom makes sweet my chain.