Love
Sonnet XCIII (In Life): Wherever He is, He Sees Only Laura
Translated by Major Macgregor (in Bohn, 1879) · From To Laura in Life
O'erflowing with the sweets ineffable,
Which from that lovely face my fond eyes drew,
What time they seal'd, for very rapture, grew.
On meaner beauty never more to dwell,
Whom most I love I left: my mind so well
Its part, to muse on her, is train'd to do,
None else it sees; what is not hers to view,
As of old wont, with loathing I repel.
In a low valley shut from all around,
Sole consolation of my heart-deep sighs,
Pensive and slow, with Love I walk alone:
Not ladies here, but rocks and founts are found,
And of that day blest images arise,
Which my thought shapes where'er I turn mine eyes.
Cite this poem
MLA
Francesco Petrarca (Petrarch). “Sonnet XCIII (In Life): Wherever He is, He Sees Only Laura.” Translated by Major Macgregor. Poetry Codex, poetrycodex.com/poem/petrarch/115/.
Chicago
Francesco Petrarca (Petrarch). “Sonnet XCIII (In Life): Wherever He is, He Sees Only Laura.” Translated by Major Macgregor. Poetry Codex. https://poetrycodex.com/poem/petrarch/115/.
Read this poem with the Codex →
More by Francesco Petrarca (Petrarch)
- Sonnet IV (In Life): He Celebrates the Birthplace of Laura
- Sonnet LVIII (In Life): He Desires Only That Memmi Had Been Able to Impart Speech to His Portrait of Laura
- Sonnet CXXI (In Life): Laura's Unparalleled Beauty and Virtue
- Sonnet CXCI (In Life): He Envies the Breeze Which Sports with Her, the Stream That Flows Towards Her
- Sonnet XXXII (In Death): He Envies Earth, Heaven, and Death Their Possession of His Treasure