Love

Sonnet CXXVIII (In Life): Every Circumstance of His Passion is a Torment to Him

by Francesco Petrarca (Petrarch) 1304–1374

Translated by Major Macgregor (in Bohn, 1879) · From To Laura in Life

Love

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!

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/.

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