Poetry Explorer

Classic and Contemporary Poetry

ON VISITING PETRARCH'S HOUSE, by                     Poet's Biography
First Line: Mary! When we to arqua's village came
Last Line: Nor car'd for fame who was in love so blest.
Alternate Author Name(s): Egerton-warburton, R. E.
Subject(s): Love; Love - Unrequited; Petrarch (1304-1374); Poetry & Poets; Francesco Petrarca


MARY! when we to Arqua's village came,
Saw the rear'd tomb, the fountain's hallow'd rill,
And climb'd the summit of that verdant hill
Where Petrarch's dwelling bears the poet's name;
When I beheld the crowded page proclaim,
In varied tongue, unchanging homage still,
The deathless praise that shall all ages fill,
I sigh'd myself to share the poet's fame.
Yet, ah! when I remember'd how in vain
His lyre he strung to soften Laura's pride,
Doom'd to a life of unrequited pain;
Ah! Mary, then thy yielding hand I prest,
Turn'd from that book to gaze upon my Bride,
Nor car'd for Fame who was in Love so blest.





Discover our Poem Explanations and Poet Analyses!


Other Poems of Interest...
Home: PoetryExplorer.net