Love
Sonnet CCXX (In Life): A Smiling Welcome, Which Laura Gave Him Unexpectedly, Almost Kills Him with Joy
Translated by Major Macgregor (in Bohn, 1879) · From To Laura in Life
Live sparks were glistening from her twin bright eyes,
So sweet on me whose lightning flashes beam'd,
And softly from a feeling heart and wise,
Of lofty eloquence a rich flood stream'd:
Even the memory serves to wake my sighs
When I recall that day so glad esteem'd,
And in my heart its sinking spirit dies
As some late grace her colder wont redeem'd.
My soul in pain and grief that most has been
(How great the power of constant habit is!)
Seems weakly 'neath its double joy to lean:
For at the sole taste of unusual bliss,
Trembling with fear, or thrill'd by idle hope,
Oft on the point I've been life's door to ope.
Cite this poem
MLA
Francesco Petrarca (Petrarch). “Sonnet CCXX (In Life): A Smiling Welcome, Which Laura Gave Him Unexpectedly, Almost Kills Him with Joy.” Translated by Major Macgregor. Poetry Codex, poetrycodex.com/poem/petrarch/257/.
Chicago
Francesco Petrarca (Petrarch). “Sonnet CCXX (In Life): A Smiling Welcome, Which Laura Gave Him Unexpectedly, Almost Kills Him with Joy.” Translated by Major Macgregor. Poetry Codex. https://poetrycodex.com/poem/petrarch/257/.
Read this poem with the Codex →
More by Francesco Petrarca (Petrarch)
- Sonnet IV (In Life): He Celebrates the Birthplace of Laura
- Sonnet LVII (In Life): On the Portrait of Laura Painted by Simon Memmi
- Sonnet CXVII (In Life): Dialogue of the Poet with His Heart
- Sonnet CLXXXVIII (In Life): The Misery of His Love
- Sonnet XXXII (In Death): He Envies Earth, Heaven, and Death Their Possession of His Treasure