Love
Sonnet XLII (In Death): Returning Spring Brings to Him Only Increase of Grief
Translated by Rev. Dr. Nott (in Bohn, 1879) · From To Laura in Death
Zephyr returns; and in his jocund train
Brings verdure, flowers, and days serenely clear;
Brings Progne's twitter, Philomel's lorn strain,
With every bloom that paints the vernal year;
Cloudless the skies, and smiling every plain;
With joyance flush'd, Jove views his daughter dear;
Love's genial power pervades earth, air, and main;
All beings join'd in fond accord appear.
But nought to me returns save sorrowing sighs,
Forced from my inmost heart by her who bore
Those keys which govern'd it unto the skies:
The blossom'd meads, the choristers of air,
Sweet courteous damsels can delight no more;
Each face looks savage, and each prospect drear.
Cite this poem
MLA
Francesco Petrarca (Petrarch). “Sonnet XLII (In Death): Returning Spring Brings to Him Only Increase of Grief.” Translated by Rev. Dr. Nott. Poetry Codex, poetrycodex.com/poem/petrarch/309/.
Chicago
Francesco Petrarca (Petrarch). “Sonnet XLII (In Death): Returning Spring Brings to Him Only Increase of Grief.” Translated by Rev. Dr. Nott. Poetry Codex. https://poetrycodex.com/poem/petrarch/309/.
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More by Francesco Petrarca (Petrarch)
- Sonnet XXXIV (In Life): Her Return Gladdens the Earth and Calms the Sky
- Sonnet XCII (In Life): Laura Turning to Salute Him, the Sun, Through Jealousy, Withdrew Behind a Cloud
- Sonnet CLV (In Life): To the Sun, Whose Setting Hid Laura's Dwelling from His View
- Sonnet CCXXIV (In Life): Honour to Be Preferred to Life
- Sonnet LXV (In Death): He No Longer Contemplates the Mortal, but the Immortal Beauties of Laura