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
Tenemmi Amor anni ventuno ardendo,
lieto nel foco, et nel duol pien di speme;
poi che madonna e 'l mio cor seco inseme
saliro al ciel, dieci altri anni piangendo.

Omai son stanco, et mia vita reprendo
di tanto error che di vertute il seme
à quasi spento; et le mie parti extreme,
alto Dio, a te devotamente rendo:

pentito et tristo de' miei sí spesi anni,
che spender si deveano in miglior uso,
in cercar pace et in fuggir affanni.

Signor che 'n questo carcer m'ài rinchiuso,
tràmene, salvo da li eterni danni,
ch'i' conosco 'l mio fallo, et non lo scuso.
Love held me burning, twenty-one years,
happy in the fire, and in grief full of hope:
then, when my lady leapt to heaven with
my heart, another ten years, weeping.

Now I'm weary, and reclaim my life
from that error that almost crushed
the seeds of virtue: and, God on high,
I grant my final years devotedly to you:

penitent and sad at my years ill spent,
that should have been put to better use,
in fleeing trouble and finding peace.

Lord, who first imprisoned me in this cell,
release me, save me from eternal harm,
who know my fault, and do not excuse it.


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

A Merentha Entertainment Project


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