Love
Sonnet CXXII (In Life): Laura in Tears
Translated by Major Macgregor (in Bohn, 1879) · From To Laura in Life
High Jove to thunder ne'er was so intent,
So resolute great Cæsar ne'er to strike,
That pity had not quench'd the ire of both,
And from their hands the accustom'd weapons shook.
Madonna wept: my Lord decreed that I
Should see her then, and there her sorrows hear;
So joy, desire should fill me to the brim,
Thrilling my very marrow and my bones.
Love show'd to me, nay, sculptured on my heart,
That sweet and sparkling tear, and those soft words
Wrote with a diamond on its inmost core,
Where with his constant and ingenious keys
He still returneth often, to draw thence
True tears of mine and long and heavy sighs.
Cite this poem
MLA
Francesco Petrarca (Petrarch). “Sonnet CXXII (In Life): Laura in Tears.” Translated by Major Macgregor. Poetry Codex, poetrycodex.com/poem/petrarch/154/.
Chicago
Francesco Petrarca (Petrarch). “Sonnet CXXII (In Life): Laura in Tears.” Translated by Major Macgregor. Poetry Codex. https://poetrycodex.com/poem/petrarch/154/.
Read this poem with the Codex →
More by Francesco Petrarca (Petrarch)
- Sonnet XIII (In Life): On Quitting Laura
- Sonnet LXVII (In Life): He Counsels Lovers to Flee, Rather Than Be Consumed by the Flames of Love
- Sonnet CXXXI (In Life): Night Brings Peace to All Save Him
- Sestina VII (In Life): He Despairs of Escape from the Torments by Which He is Surrounded
- Sonnet XLII (In Death): Returning Spring Brings to Him Only Increase of Grief