Whatever good that Nature can reveal
is hers — she’s beauty’s touchstone on review.[Ella è quanto de ben pò far natura;
per essemplo di lei bieltà si prova.]Dante Alighieri (1265-1321) Italian poet
La Vita Nuova [Vita Nova; New Life], ch. 19, Canzone 1 (c. 1294, pub. 1576) [tr. Frisardi (2012), ch. 10]
(Source)
Love waxing lyrical about the beauty of Dante's beloved Beatrice.
(Source (Italian)). Alternate translations:All choicest gifts in nature’s power are her’s:
In her example beauty finds its test.
[tr. Lyell (1845)]She is as high as Nature’s skill can soar;
Beauty is tried by her comparison.
[tr. Rossetti (c. 1847; 1899 ed.)]She is the sum of all on earth most rare;
Beauty by her bright standard tests its claim.
[tr. Martin (1862)]Whate’er of good Nature can make she is,
And by her pattern beauty tries itself.
[tr. Norton (1867)]She is the sum of nature's universe.
To her perfection all of beauty tends.
[tr. Reynolds (1969)]She is the highest nature can achieve
And by her mold all beauty tests itself.
[tr. Musa (1971)]She is the best that Nature can achieve and by her mold all beauty tests itself.
[tr. Hollander (1997)]She is the greatest good nature can create:
beauty is proven by her example.
[tr. Kline (2002)]She is the highest good that nature can make;
beauty is tested with her as the touchstone.
[tr. Appelbaum (2006)]