Works

L' aura serena che fra verdi fronde.

THE GENTLE BREEZE (L' AURA) RECALLS TO HIM THE TIME WHEN HE FIRST SAW HER.


The gentle gale, that plays my face around,...

L' aura celeste che 'n quel verde Lauro.

HER HAIR AND EYES.


The heavenly airs from yon green laurel roll'd,
Where Love to Phoebus whilom dealt his stroke,...

D' un bel, chiaro, polito e vivo ghiaccio.

THOUGH RACKED BY AGONY, HE DOES NOT COMPLAIN OF HER.


The flames that ever on my bosom prey
From living ice or cold fair marble pour,...

L' aura soave ch' al sol spiega e vibra.

HIS HEART LIES TANGLED IN HER HAIR.


The pleasant gale, that to the sun unplaits
And spreads the gold Love's fingers weave, and braid...

O bella man, che mi distringi 'l core.

THE STOLEN GLOVE.


O beauteous hand! that dost my heart subdue,
And in a little space my life confine;
Hand where their skill and utmost efforts join...

Non pur quell' una bella ignuda mano.

HE RETURNS THE GLOVE, BEWAILING THE EFFECT OF HER BEAUTY.


Not of one dear hand only I complain,
Which hides it, to my loss, again from view,...

Mia ventura ed Amor m' avean s' adorno.

HE REGRETS HAVING RETURNED HER GLOVE.


Me Love and Fortune then supremely bless'd!
Her glove which gold and silken broidery bore!...

Lasso, ch' i' ardo, ed altri non mel crede!

POSTERITY WILL ACCORD TO HIM THE PITY WHICH LAURA REFUSES.


Alas, with ardour past belief I glow!
None doubt this truth, except one only fair,...

Anima, che diverse cose tante.

HE REJOICES AT BEING ON EARTH WITH HER, AS HE IS THEREBY ENABLED BETTER TO IMITATE HER VIRTUES.


Soul! with such various faculties endued...

Dolci ire, dolci sdegni e dolci paci.

HE CONSOLES HIMSELF WITH THE THOUGHT THAT HE WILL BE ENVIED BY POSTERITY.


Sweet scorn, sweet anger, and sweet misery,...

Rapido fiume che d' alpestra vena.

JOURNEYING ALONG THE RHONE TO AVIGNON, PETRARCH BIDS THE RIVER KISS LAURA'S HAND, AS IT WILL ARRIVE AT HER DWELLING BEFORE HIM.

...

I' dolci colli ov' io lasciai me stesso.

HE LEAVES VAUCLUSE, BUT HIS SPIRIT REMAINS THERE WITH LAURA.


The loved hills where I left myself behind,
Whence ever 'twas so hard my steps to tear,...

In nobil sangue vita umile e queta.

SHE UNITES IN HERSELF THE HIGHEST EXCELLENCES OF VIRTUE AND BEAUTY.


High birth in humble life, reserved yet kind,...

Non dall' Ispano Ibero all' Indo Idaspe.

HIS WOES ARE UNEXAMPLED.


From Spanish Ebro to Hydaspes old,
Exploring ocean in its every nook,
From the Red Sea to the cold Caspian shore,...

Voglia mi sprona; Amor mi guida e scorge.

HE DESCRIBES HIS STATE, SPECIFYING THE DATE OF HIS ATTACHMENT.


Passion impels me, Love escorts and leads,
Pleasure attracts me, habits old enchain,...

Beato in sogno, e di languir contento.

THOUGH SO LONG LOVE'S FAITHFUL SERVANT, HIS ONLY REWARD HAS BEEN TEARS.


Happy in visions, and content to pine,
Shadows to clasp, to chase the summer gale,...

Grazie ch' a pochi 'l ciel largo destina.

THE ENCHANTMENTS THAT ENTHRALL HIM


Graces, that liberal Heaven on few bestows;
Rare excellence, scarce known to human kind;...

Tutto 'l di piango; e poi la notte, quando.

HER CRUELTY RENDERS LIFE WORSE THAN DEATH TO HIM.


Through the long lingering day, estranged from rest,
My sorrows flow unceasing; doubly flow,...

Gi' desiai con s' giusta querela.

HE LIVES DESTITUTE OF ALL HOPE SAVE THAT OF RENDERING HER IMMORTAL.


Erewhile I labour'd with complaint so true,
And in such fervid rhymes to make me heard,...

Tra quantunque leggiadre donne e belle.

ALL NATURE WOULD BE IN DARKNESS WERE SHE, ITS SUN, TO PERISH.


Where'er she moves, whatever dames among,
Beauteous or graceful, matchless she below....