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
site map   contact  

  PETRARCH
  LAURA & OTHERS

  PICTURES
  WRITINGS
  BOOKS

  THE COLLECTION

  EVENTS
  PAPERS & ESSAYS
  MUSIC SETTINGS

  FAQs
  WEB LINKS
  SITE MAP

  CONTACT

Google


Search this Site
Search the Web



Petrarch:The Canzoniere

Translated by: A.S.Kline
Download them all in English or Italian
<<< PREVIOUS <<< Poem 244 of 366 >>> NEXT >>>
JUMP TO POEM

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
Il mal mi preme, et mi spaventa il peggio,
al qual veggio sí larga et piana via,
ch'i' son intrato in simil frenesia,
et con duro penser teco vaneggio;

né so se guerra o pace a Dio mi cheggio,
ché 'l danno è grave, et la vergogna è ria.
Ma perché piú languir? di noi pur fia
quel ch'ordinato è già nel sommo seggio.

Bench'i' non sia di quel grand'onor degno
che tu mi fai, ché te n'inganna Amore,
che spesso occhio ben san fa veder torto,

pur d'alzar l'alma a quel celeste regno
è il mio consiglio, et di spronare il core:
perché 'l camin è lungo, e 'l tempo è corto.
My ills press on me and I fear the worst,
to which I see a broad and open road,
since I'm in a like frenzy within,
and rage as you do with harsh thoughts:

I don't know whether to ask God for war or peace,
since the harm is great, or the shame is cruel.
But why worry more? What will become of us
is ordained already in the highest place.

Though I'm not worthy of the great honour
you show me, since Love deceives you,
who often makes clear eyes see awry,

raise your soul to those celestial regions:
that's my counsel, spur your heart above:
since the road is long and time is short.


Note:
A reply to a sonnet by the Paduan poet
Giovanni Dondi asking for advice in love.


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

A Merentha Entertainment Project


PETRARCH LAURA PICTURES WRITINGS BOOKS EVENTS PAPERS SETTINGS FAQs CONTACT