Love
Sonnet CXXXIX (In Life): Envy May Disturb, but Cannot Destroy His Hope
Translated by Major Macgregor (in Bohn, 1879) · From To Laura in Life
O deadly Envy, virtue's constant foe,
With good and lovely eager to contest!
Stealthily, by what way, in that fair breast
Hast entrance found? by what arts changed it so?
Thence by the roots my weal hast thou uptorn,
Too blest in love hast shown me to that fair
Who welcomed once my chaste and humble prayer,
But seems to treat me now with hate and scorn.
But though you may by acts severe and ill
Sigh at my good and smile at my distress,
You cannot change for me a single thought.
Not though a thousand times each day she kill
Can I or hope in her or love her less.
For though she scare, Love confidence has taught.
Cite this poem
MLA
Francesco Petrarca (Petrarch). “Sonnet CXXXIX (In Life): Envy May Disturb, but Cannot Destroy His Hope.” Translated by Major Macgregor. Poetry Codex, poetrycodex.com/poem/petrarch/171/.
Chicago
Francesco Petrarca (Petrarch). “Sonnet CXXXIX (In Life): Envy May Disturb, but Cannot Destroy His Hope.” Translated by Major Macgregor. Poetry Codex. https://poetrycodex.com/poem/petrarch/171/.
Read this poem with the Codex →
More by Francesco Petrarca (Petrarch)
- Canzone I (In Life): His Sufferings Since He Became the Slave of Love
- Sonnet LXXV (In Life): Having Once Surrendered Himself, He is Compelled Ever to Endure the Pangs of Love
- Sonnet CXXXVI (In Life): His Tongue is Tied by Excess of Passion
- Sonnet CCVII (In Life): The Two Roses
- Sonnet LI (In Death): His Passion Finds Its Only Consolation in Contemplating Her in Heaven