Love
Sonnet CXII (In Life): The Charms of Laura When She First Met His Sight
anonymous (in Bohn, 1879) · From To Laura in Life
Ne'er can the sun such radiance soft display,
Piercing some cloud that would its light impair;
Ne'er tinged some showery arch the humid air,
With variegated lustre half so gay,
As when, sweet-smiling my fond heart away,
All-beauteous shone my captivating fair;
For charms what mortal can with her compare!
But truth, impartial truth! much more might say.
I saw young Cupid, saw his laughing eyes
With such bewitching, am'rous sweetness roll,
That every human glance I since despise.
Believe, dear friend! I saw the wanton boy;
Bent was his bow to wound my tender soul;
Yet, ah! once more I'd view the dang'rous joy.
Cite this poem
MLA
Francesco Petrarca (Petrarch). “Sonnet CXII (In Life): The Charms of Laura When She First Met His Sight.” Translated by anonymous. Poetry Codex, poetrycodex.com/poem/petrarch/143/.
Chicago
Francesco Petrarca (Petrarch). “Sonnet CXII (In Life): The Charms of Laura When She First Met His Sight.” Translated by anonymous. Poetry Codex. https://poetrycodex.com/poem/petrarch/143/.
Read this poem with the Codex →
More by Francesco Petrarca (Petrarch)
- Ballata II (In Life): He Invites His Eyes to Feast Themselves on Laura
- Sonnet LXVI (In Life): He Calls the Eyes of Laura Foes, Because They Keep Him in Life Only to Torment Him
- Sonnet CXXX (In Life): He Cares Not for Sufferings, So That He Displease Not Laura
- Sonnet CC (In Life): He Prays Love, Who is the Cause of His Offences, to Obtain Pardon for Him
- Sonnet XLI (In Death): It is Impossible for Him to Describe Her Excellences