Love
Sonnet XXXI (In Death): He Enumerates and Eulogises the Graces of Laura
Translated by Rev. Francis Wrangham (in Bohn, 1879) · From To Laura in Death
Where is the brow whose gentlest beckonings led
My raptured heart at will, now here, now there?
Where the twin stars, lights of this lower sphere,
Which o'er my darkling path their radiance shed?
Where is true worth, and wit, and wisdom fled?
The courteous phrase, the melting accent, where?
Where, group'd in one rich form, the beauties rare,
Which long their magic influence o'er me shed?
Where is the shade, within whose sweet recess
My wearied spirit still forgot its sighs,
And all my thoughts their constant record found?
Where, where is she, my life's sole arbitress?--
Ah, wretched world! and wretched ye, mine eyes
(Of her pure light bereft) which aye with tears are drown'd.
Cite this poem
MLA
Francesco Petrarca (Petrarch). “Sonnet XXXI (In Death): He Enumerates and Eulogises the Graces of Laura.” Translated by Rev. Francis Wrangham. Poetry Codex, poetrycodex.com/poem/petrarch/298/.
Chicago
Francesco Petrarca (Petrarch). “Sonnet XXXI (In Death): He Enumerates and Eulogises the Graces of Laura.” Translated by Rev. Francis Wrangham. Poetry Codex. https://poetrycodex.com/poem/petrarch/298/.
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More by Francesco Petrarca (Petrarch)
- Sonnet XXXIII (In Life): When Laura Departs, the Heavens Grow Dark with Storms
- Sonnet XCI (In Life): Leaving Rome, He Desires Only Peace with Laura and Prosperity to Colonna
- Sonnet CLIV (In Life): He Fears That He is Incapable of Worthily Celebrating Her
- Sonnet CCXXIII (In Life): The Eyes of Laura Are the School of Virtue
- Sonnet LXIV (In Death): Nature Displayed in Her Every Charm, but Soon Withdrew Her from Sight