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Classic and Contemporary Poetry

SONNETS OF LAURA: 2. THE VEIL, by                    
First Line: What weak remonstrance! -- how I joy to find
Last Line: Guard of my pride, my honor, and my fame.
Alternate Author Name(s): Knipe, Eliza
Subject(s): Petrarch (1304-1374); Francesco Petrarca


What weak remonstrance! -- how I joy to find
The well invented fraud thy faith deceive!
The veil that shades the face obscures the mind,
And love is ever fearful to believe;
Else had my cheerful and unguarded smile,
The pleasure that I felt when you were nigh,
The welcome gay, the look devoid of guile,
The tear of rapture springing to my eye,
Told a fond tale that you should never learn,
Of fears I would not for the world reveal,
Of hopes I almost tremble to discern;
Of bliss my heart would from itself conceal.
Come, blessed veil! thy friendly aid I claim,
Guard of my pride, my honor, and my fame.





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