Love
Sonnet XCVIII (In Life): Leave-Taking
Translated by Rev. Francis Wrangham (in Bohn, 1879) · From To Laura in Life
That witching paleness, which with cloud of love
Veil'd her sweet smile, majestically bright,
So thrill'd my heart, that from the bosom's night
Midway to meet it on her face it strove.
Then learnt I how, 'mid realms of joy above,
The blest behold the blest: in such pure light
I scann'd her tender thought, to others' sight
Viewless!--but my fond glances would not rove.
Each angel grace, each lowly courtesy,
E'er traced in dame by Love's soft power inspired,
Would seem but foils to those which prompt my lay:
Upon the ground was cast her gentle eye,
And still methought, though silent, she inquired,
"What bears my faithful friend so soon, so far away?"
Cite this poem
MLA
Francesco Petrarca (Petrarch). “Sonnet XCVIII (In Life): Leave-Taking.” Translated by Rev. Francis Wrangham. Poetry Codex, poetrycodex.com/poem/petrarch/122/.
Chicago
Francesco Petrarca (Petrarch). “Sonnet XCVIII (In Life): Leave-Taking.” Translated by Rev. Francis Wrangham. Poetry Codex. https://poetrycodex.com/poem/petrarch/122/.
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More by Francesco Petrarca (Petrarch)
- Sonnet XXI (In Life): He Congratulates Boccaccio on His Return to the Right Path
- Sonnet LXXVII (In Life): He Sympathises with His Friend Orso at His Inability to Attend a Tournament
- Sonnet CXLI (In Life): To Pine for Her is Better Than to Enjoy Happiness with Any Other
- Sonnet CCX (In Life): Whoever Beholds Her Must Admit That His Praises Cannot Reach Her Perfection
- Sonnet LIII (In Death): The Sight of Laura's House Reminds Him of His Misery