Sonnet: Beauty Of Her Face

For certain he hath seen all perfectness

Who among other ladies hath seen mine:

They that go with her humbly should combine

To thank their God for such peculiar grace.

So perfect is the beauty of her face

That it begets in no wise any sigh

Of envy, but draws round her a clear line

Of love, and blessed faith, and gentleness.

Merely the sight of her makes all things bow:

Not she herself alone is holier

Than all; but hers, through her, are raised above.

From all her acts such lovely graces flow

That truly one may never think of her

Without a passion of exceeding love.

Translated by Dante Gabriel Rosetti