Love

Sonnet LXXIV (In Life): He Complains That to Him Alone is Faith Hurtful

by Francesco Petrarca (Petrarch) 1304–1374

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

Love

Could I, in melting verse, my thoughts but throw,
As in my heart their living load I bear,
No soul so cruel in the world was e'er
That would not at the tale with pity glow.
But ye, blest eyes, which dealt me the sore blow,
'Gainst which nor helm nor shield avail'd to spare
Within, without, behold me poor and bare,
Though never in laments is breathed my woe.
But since on me your bright glance ever shines,
E'en as a sunbeam through transparent glass,
Suffice then the desire without the lines.
Faith Peter bless'd and Mary, but, alas!
It proves an enemy to me alone,
Whose spirit save by you to none is known.

MLA

Francesco Petrarca (Petrarch). “Sonnet LXXIV (In Life): He Complains That to Him Alone is Faith Hurtful.” Translated by Major Macgregor. Poetry Codex, poetrycodex.com/poem/petrarch/94/.

Chicago

Francesco Petrarca (Petrarch). “Sonnet LXXIV (In Life): He Complains That to Him Alone is Faith Hurtful.” Translated by Major Macgregor. Poetry Codex. https://poetrycodex.com/poem/petrarch/94/.

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