Love

Sonnet CL (In Life): He is Continually in Fear of Displeasing Her

by Francesco Petrarca (Petrarch) 1304–1374

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

Love

If thus the dear glance of my lady slay,
On her sweet sprightly speech if dangers wait,
If o'er me Love usurp a power so great,
Oft as she speaks, or when her sun-smiles play;
Alas! what were it if she put away,
Or for my fault, or by my luckless fate,
Her eyes from pity, and to death's full hate,
Which now she keeps aloof, should then betray.
Thus if at heart with terror I am cold,
When o'er her fair face doubtful shadows spring,
The feeling has its source in sufferings old.
Woman by nature is a fickle thing,
And female hearts--time makes the proverb sure--
Can never long one state of love endure.

MLA

Francesco Petrarca (Petrarch). “Sonnet CL (In Life): He is Continually in Fear of Displeasing Her.” Translated by Major Macgregor. Poetry Codex, poetrycodex.com/poem/petrarch/182/.

Chicago

Francesco Petrarca (Petrarch). “Sonnet CL (In Life): He is Continually in Fear of Displeasing Her.” Translated by Major Macgregor. Poetry Codex. https://poetrycodex.com/poem/petrarch/182/.

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