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
Amor, io fallo, et veggio il mio fallire,
ma fo sí com'uom ch'arde e 'l foco à 'n seno,
ché 'l duol pur cresce, et la ragion vèn meno
et è già quasi vinta dal martire.

Solea frenare il mio caldo desire,
per non turbare il bel viso sereno:
non posso piú; di man m'ài tolto il freno,
et l'alma desperando à preso ardire.

Però s'oltra suo stile ella s'aventa,
tu 'l fai, che sí l'accendi, et sí la sproni,
ch'ogni aspra via per sua salute tenta;

et piú 'l fanno i celesti et rari doni
ch'à in sé madonna: or fa' almen ch'ella il senta,
et le mie colpe a se stessa perdoni.
Love, I have sinned, and I know my sin,
but I was a man burning, with fire in his breast,
whose grief increased as his reason grew less,
and is almost overcome now by pain.

I once could rein in my hot desire,
so as not to trouble that calm lovely face:
I can no more: from my hand you take the reins,
and the desperate soul has gathered courage.

So if it ventures beyond your limits,
it is your doing, who stir me so and spur me,
I try every harsh path to my salvation:

and the rare celestial gifts my lady shows
are more to blame: now at least let her feel
she has to pardon my crime in herself.


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

A Merentha Entertainment Project


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