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
Due gran nemiche inseme erano agiunte,
Bellezza et Honestà, con pace tanta
che mai rebellïon l'anima santa
non sentí poi ch'a star seco fur giunte;

et or per Morte son sparse et disgiunte:
l'una è nel ciel, che se ne gloria et vanta;
l'altra sotterra, che ' begli occhi amanta,
onde uscîr già tant'amorose punte.

L'atto soave, e 'l parlar saggio humile
che movea d'alto loco, e 'l dolce sguardo
che piagava il mio core (anchor l'acenna),

sono spariti; et s'al seguir son tardo,
forse averrà che 'l bel nome gentile
consecrerò con questa stanca penna.

Two great enemies were brought together,
Beauty and Chastity, in such peace
that her sacred spirit never knew rebellion,
from the moment they were joined in her:

and now they are split and parted by Death:
one is in heaven, that glories and praises it:
the other in earth, that veils those eyes,
from which such loving arrows issued.

The gentle ways, and the wise humble speech
that came from a noble place, the sweet glance
that pierced my heart (it still shows the mark),

have vanished: and if I'm slow
to follow, perhaps it's that her name
may be hallowed by my weary pen.


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

A Merentha Entertainment Project


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