Love

Sonnet CXII (In Life): The Charms of Laura When She First Met His Sight

by Francesco Petrarca (Petrarch) 1304–1374

anonymous (in Bohn, 1879) · From To Laura in Life

Love

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.

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/.

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