Poetry Codex

Love

Madrigale IV (In Life): A Prayer to Love That He Will Take Vengeance on the Scornful Pride of Laura

by Francesco Petrarca (Petrarch) 1304–1374

Translated by Major Macgregor (in Bohn, 1879) · From To Laura in Life

Love

Now, Love, at length behold a youthful fair,
Who spurns thy rule, and, mocking all my care,
'Mid two such foes, is safe and fancy free.
Thou art well arm'd, 'mid flowers and verdure she,
In simplest robe and natural tresses found,
Against thee haughty still and harsh to me;
I am thy thrall: but, if thy bow be sound,
If yet one shaft be thine, in pity, take
Vengeance upon her for our common sake.

Cite this poem

MLA

Francesco Petrarca (Petrarch). “Madrigale IV (In Life): A Prayer to Love That He Will Take Vengeance on the Scornful Pride of Laura.” Translated by Major Macgregor. Poetry Codex, poetrycodex.com/poem/petrarch/119/.

Chicago

Francesco Petrarca (Petrarch). “Madrigale IV (In Life): A Prayer to Love That He Will Take Vengeance on the Scornful Pride of Laura.” Translated by Major Macgregor. Poetry Codex. https://poetrycodex.com/poem/petrarch/119/.

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