Love

Sonnet CXXVI (In Life): He Extols the Beauty and Virtue of Laura

by Francesco Petrarca (Petrarch) 1304–1374

Translated by Rev. Dr. Nott (in Bohn, 1879) · From To Laura in Life

Love

Say from what part of heaven 'twas Nature drew,
From what idea, that so perfect mould
To form such features, bidding us behold,
In charms below, what she above could do?
What fountain-nymph, what dryad-maid e'er threw
Upon the wind such tresses of pure gold?
What heart such numerous virtues can unfold?
Although the chiefest all my fond hopes slew.
He for celestial charms may look in vain,
Who has not seen my fair one's radiant eyes,
And felt their glances pleasingly beguile.
How Love can heal his wounds, then wound again,
He only knows, who knows how sweet her sighs,
How sweet her converse, and how sweet her smile.

MLA

Francesco Petrarca (Petrarch). “Sonnet CXXVI (In Life): He Extols the Beauty and Virtue of Laura.” Translated by Rev. Dr. Nott. Poetry Codex, poetrycodex.com/poem/petrarch/158/.

Chicago

Francesco Petrarca (Petrarch). “Sonnet CXXVI (In Life): He Extols the Beauty and Virtue of Laura.” Translated by Rev. Dr. Nott. Poetry Codex. https://poetrycodex.com/poem/petrarch/158/.

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