Love
Sonnet XXXVII (In Life): Laura at Her Looking-Glass
Translated by Major Macgregor (in Bohn, 1879) · From To Laura in Life
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.
Cite this poem
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/.
Read this poem with the Codex →
More by Francesco Petrarca (Petrarch)
- Sonnet V (In Life): He Plays upon the Name Laureta or Laura
- Sonnet LX (In Life): He Confesses His Errors, and Throws Himself on the Mercy of God
- Sonnet CXXI (In Life): Laura's Unparalleled Beauty and Virtue
- Sonnet CXCI (In Life): He Envies the Breeze Which Sports with Her, the Stream That Flows Towards Her
- Sonnet XXXII (In Death): He Envies Earth, Heaven, and Death Their Possession of His Treasure