Love

Sonnet XXIII (In Death): Morn Renders His Grief More Poignant

by Francesco Petrarca (Petrarch) 1304–1374

Translated by Rev. Dr. Nott (in Bohn, 1879) · From To Laura in Death

Love

When from the heavens I see Aurora beam,
With rosy-tinctured cheek and golden hair,
Love bids my face the hue of sadness wear:
"There Laura dwells!" I with a sigh exclaim.
Thou knowest well the hour that shall redeem,
Happy Tithonus, thy much-valued fair;
But not to her I love can I repair,
Till death extinguishes this vital flame.
Yet need'st thou not thy separation mourn;
Certain at evening's close is the return
Of her, who doth not thy hoar locks despise;
But my nights sad, my days are render'd drear,
By her, who bore my thoughts to yonder skies,
And only a remember'd name left here.

MLA

Francesco Petrarca (Petrarch). “Sonnet XXIII (In Death): Morn Renders His Grief More Poignant.” Translated by Rev. Dr. Nott. Poetry Codex, poetrycodex.com/poem/petrarch/290/.

Chicago

Francesco Petrarca (Petrarch). “Sonnet XXIII (In Death): Morn Renders His Grief More Poignant.” Translated by Rev. Dr. Nott. Poetry Codex. https://poetrycodex.com/poem/petrarch/290/.

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