Love
Sonnet CXXVIII (In Life): Every Circumstance of His Passion is a Torment to Him
Translated by Major Macgregor (in Bohn, 1879) · From To Laura in Life
O scatter'd steps! O vague and busy thoughts!
O firm-set memory! O fierce desire!
O passion powerful! O failing heart!
O eyes of mine, not eyes, but fountains now!
O leaf, which honourest illustrious brows,
Sole sign of double valour, and best crown!
O painful life, O error oft and sweet!
That make me search the lone plains and hard hills.
O beauteous face! where Love together placed
The spurs and curb, to strive with which is vain,
They prick and turn me so at his sole will.
O gentle amorous souls, if such there be!
And you, O naked spirits of mere dust,
Tarry and see how great my suffering is!
Cite this poem
MLA
Francesco Petrarca (Petrarch). “Sonnet CXXVIII (In Life): Every Circumstance of His Passion is a Torment to Him.” Translated by Major Macgregor. Poetry Codex, poetrycodex.com/poem/petrarch/160/.
Chicago
Francesco Petrarca (Petrarch). “Sonnet CXXVIII (In Life): Every Circumstance of His Passion is a Torment to Him.” Translated by Major Macgregor. Poetry Codex. https://poetrycodex.com/poem/petrarch/160/.
Read this poem with the Codex →
More by Francesco Petrarca (Petrarch)
- Sestina I (In Life): Night Brings Him No Rest. He is the Prey of Despair
- Sonnet LXXIV (In Life): He Complains That to Him Alone is Faith Hurtful
- Sonnet CXXXVIII (In Life): He Cannot End Her Cruelty, nor She His Hope
- Sonnet CCVI (In Life): To a Friend, in Love Like Himself, He Can Give No Advice but to Raise His Soul to God
- Sonnet L (In Death): Under the Allegory of a Laurel He Again Deplores Her Death