Petrarch Laura Francesco Petrarch and Laura For a woman he would never know
For a woman he could never have
He should change the world forever
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Petrarch:The Canzoniere

Translated by: A.S.Kline
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Information on the sonnet is available here.
Looking for an analysis of a specific poem from the Canzoniere?
Read I go thinking an analysis of poem 264 by Holly Barbaccia.


ITALIAN ENGLISH
Dicesette anni à già rivolto il cielo
poi che 'mprima arsi, et già mai non mi spensi;
ma quando aven ch'al mio stato ripensi,
sento nel mezzo de le fiamme un gielo.

Vero è 'l proverbio, ch'altri cangia il pelo
anzi che 'l vezzo, et per lentar i sensi
gli umani affecti non son meno intensi:
ciò ne fa l'ombra ria del grave velo.

Oïme lasso, e quando fia quel giorno
che, mirando il fuggir degli anni miei,
esca del foco, et di sí lunghe pene?

Vedrò mai il dí che pur quant'io vorrei
quel'aria dolce del bel viso adorno
piaccia a quest'occhi, et quanto si convene?
The heavens have revolved for seventeen years
since I first burned, and I am never quenched:
but when I think again about my state,
I feel a chill in the midst of flame.

The proverb is true, that our hair changes
before our vices, and though the senses slow
the human passions have no less intensity:
making a dark shadow to our heavy veil.

Alas, ah me, when will that day be,
when, gazing at the flight of my years,
I issue from the fire, and such long suffering?

Will the day come, ever, that only as I wish
the sweet air that adorns her lovely face
might please these eyes, and only as is fitting?


© Copyright 1999-2006
Peter Sadlon
Updated Sept 10th 2007

A Merentha Entertainment Project


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