Love
Sonnet XIII (In Death): Her Form Still Haunts Him in Solitude
Translated by J. H. Merivale (in Bohn, 1879) · From To Laura in Death
How oft, all lonely, to my sweet retreat
From man and from myself I strive to fly,
Bathing with dewy eyes each much-loved seat,
And swelling every blossom with a sigh!
How oft, deep musing on my woes complete,
Along the dark and silent glens I lie,
In thought again that dearest form to meet
By death possess'd, and therefore wish to die!
How oft I see her rising from the tide
Of Sorga, like some goddess of the flood;
Or pensive wander by the river's side;
Or tread the flowery mazes of the wood;
Bright as in life; while angel pity throws
O'er her fair face the impress of my woes.
Cite this poem
MLA
Francesco Petrarca (Petrarch). “Sonnet XIII (In Death): Her Form Still Haunts Him in Solitude.” Translated by J. H. Merivale. Poetry Codex, poetrycodex.com/poem/petrarch/280/.
Chicago
Francesco Petrarca (Petrarch). “Sonnet XIII (In Death): Her Form Still Haunts Him in Solitude.” Translated by J. H. Merivale. Poetry Codex. https://poetrycodex.com/poem/petrarch/280/.
Read this poem with the Codex →
More by Francesco Petrarca (Petrarch)
- Sonnet XVII (In Life): He Compares Himself to a Moth
- Sonnet LXXII (In Life): He Writes What Love Bids Him
- Sonnet CXXXIII (In Life): To One Who Desired Latin Verse of Him
- Sonnet CCI (In Life): On the Kiss of Honour Given by Charles of Luxemburg to Laura at a Banquet
- Sonnet XLVII (In Death): Just When He Might Fairly Hope Some Return of Affection, Envious Death Carries Her Off