Love
Sonnet CXXIX (In Life): He Envies Every Spot That She Frequents
Translated by Rev. Dr. Nott (in Bohn, 1879) · From To Laura in Life
Gay, joyous blooms, and herbage glad with showers,
O'er which my pensive fair is wont to stray!
Thou plain, that listest her melodious lay,
As her fair feet imprint thy waste of flowers!
Ye shrubs so trim; ye green, unfolding bowers;
Ye violets clad in amorous, pale array;
Thou shadowy grove, gilded by beauty's ray,
Whose top made proud majestically towers!
O pleasant country! O translucent stream,
Bathing her lovely face, her eyes so clear,
And catching of their living light the beam!
I envy ye her actions chaste and dear:
No rock shall stud thy waters, but shall learn
Henceforth with passion strong as mine to burn.
Cite this poem
MLA
Francesco Petrarca (Petrarch). “Sonnet CXXIX (In Life): He Envies Every Spot That She Frequents.” Translated by Rev. Dr. Nott. Poetry Codex, poetrycodex.com/poem/petrarch/161/.
Chicago
Francesco Petrarca (Petrarch). “Sonnet CXXIX (In Life): He Envies Every Spot That She Frequents.” Translated by Rev. Dr. Nott. Poetry Codex. https://poetrycodex.com/poem/petrarch/161/.
Read this poem with the Codex →
More by Francesco Petrarca (Petrarch)
- Sonnet XXVIII (In Life): He Seeks Solitude, but Love Follows Him Everywhere
- Sonnet LXXXV (In Life): He Apostrophizes the Spot Where Laura First Saluted Him
- Sonnet CLII (In Life): He Compares Her to the Phoenix
- Sonnet CCXX (In Life): A Smiling Welcome, Which Laura Gave Him Unexpectedly, Almost Kills Him with Joy
- Canzone V (In Death): Memory is His Only Solace and Support