Vita Nuova, 5

^{translated from the Italian by Joseph Luzzi}

One day the most gracious woman of all, Beatrice,
was sitting in a place where prayers were being offered
to the Queen of Glory, Mary, and I could see my bliss
from where I stood. Directly between her and me,
there was a refined lady of great beauty who looked
at me several times, curious about my expression and
thinking that it was meant for her. At that point, many
became aware of her staring. I left soon after and heard
people saying, “Notice how that woman destroys him.”
When they named her, I understood that they were
speaking of the one who had stood directly in front
of Beatrice when I was gazing at her. This comforted
me, as I assured myself I had not revealed my secret
love for Beatrice earlier that day with all my staring. I
thought of making that other lovely woman a “screen”
for the truth, and I succeeded so much in doing so that
in a short time all those who spoke of me believed that
they knew my secret. I admired this woman for months
and even years, and to make the others believe in my
ploy, I wrote some random poems for her that I have no
intention of revealing here—except for when they relate
to the gracious Beatrice. So I will leave them all out and
include only what is in praise of her.