Sponsae responsio.
1701
Martha MarchinaOriginal Text
Marchina, Martha. Marthae Marchinae virginis Neapolitanae Musa posthuma. 1701, p. 70.Transcription
Nigra sum, sed &c.1
Pulchrae (Sponse) genae, sed per te; ut pulchra colores, Sole repercusso, discolor Iris2 habet.
1 This poem is inspired by Song of Solomon 1:5-6. However, the explanation Marchina gives in the poem itself is not the one provided in the original text. 2 Iris, according to classical mythology, was the goddess of the rainbow.