Love

Sonnet XXXVII (In Life): Laura at Her Looking-Glass

by Francesco Petrarca (Petrarch) 1304–1374

Translated by Major Macgregor (in Bohn, 1879) · From To Laura in Life

Love

My foe, in whom you see your own bright eyes,
Adored by Love and Heaven with honour due,
With beauties not its own enamours you,
Sweeter and happier than in mortal guise.
Me, by its counsel, lady, from your breast,
My chosen cherish'd home, your scorn expell'd
In wretched banishment, perchance not held
Worthy to dwell where you alone should rest.
But were I fasten'd there with strongest keys,
That mirror should not make you, at my cost,
Severe and proud yourself alone to please.
Remember how Narcissus erst was lost!
His course and thine to one conclusion lead,
Of flower so fair though worthless here the mead.

MLA

Francesco Petrarca (Petrarch). “Sonnet XXXVII (In Life): Laura at Her Looking-Glass.” Translated by Major Macgregor. Poetry Codex, poetrycodex.com/poem/petrarch/44/.

Chicago

Francesco Petrarca (Petrarch). “Sonnet XXXVII (In Life): Laura at Her Looking-Glass.” Translated by Major Macgregor. Poetry Codex. https://poetrycodex.com/poem/petrarch/44/.

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