Love

Sonnet XLI (In Life): In Her Presence He Can Neither Speak, Weep, nor Sigh

by Francesco Petrarca (Petrarch) 1304–1374

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

Love

Although from falsehood I did thee restrain
With all my power, and paid thee honour due,
Ungrateful tongue; yet never did accrue
Honour from thee, but shame, and fierce disdain:
Most art thou cold, when most I want the strain
Thy aid should lend while I for pity sue;
And all thy utterance is imperfect too,
When thou dost speak, and as the dreamer's vain.
Ye too, sad tears, throughout each lingering night
Upon me wait, when I alone would stay;
But, needed by my peace, you take your flight:
And, all so prompt anguish and grief t' impart,
Ye sighs, then slow, and broken breathe your way:
My looks alone truly reveal my heart.

MLA

Francesco Petrarca (Petrarch). “Sonnet XLI (In Life): In Her Presence He Can Neither Speak, Weep, nor Sigh.” Translated by Rev. Dr. Nott. Poetry Codex, poetrycodex.com/poem/petrarch/48/.

Chicago

Francesco Petrarca (Petrarch). “Sonnet XLI (In Life): In Her Presence He Can Neither Speak, Weep, nor Sigh.” Translated by Rev. Dr. Nott. Poetry Codex. https://poetrycodex.com/poem/petrarch/48/.

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