Often have I wondered with much curiosity as to our coming into this world and what will follow our departure. When I was ruminating lately on this matter, not in any dream as one in sickness and slumber, but wide awake and with all my wits about me, I was greatly astonished to behold a very beautiful Lady, shining with an indescribable light about her. She seemed as one whose beauty is not known, as it might be, to mankind I could not tell how she came there, but from her raiment and appearance I judged her a fair virgin, and her eyes, like the sun, seemed to send forth rays of such light that they made me lower my own before her, so that I was afraid to look up.

Secretum (Petrarch's Secret)
Translated by William H. Draper (London Chatto & Windus, 1911)

Latin LIBER PRIMUS INCIPIT FELICITER LIBER INCIPIT SECUNDUS INCIPIT LIBER TERTIUS

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