Poetry Explorer- Classic Contemporary Poetry, SONNETS TO LAURA: SHOWING HOW LONG HE HAD LOV'D LAURA, by PETRARCH


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Classic and Contemporary Poetry

SONNETS TO LAURA: SHOWING HOW LONG HE HAD LOV'D LAURA, by                     Poet's Biography
First Line: Pleasure in thought, in weeping ease I find
Last Line: Under such hard stars first I drew my breath.
Alternate Author Name(s): Petrarca, Francesco
Subject(s): Love


PLEASURE in thought, in weeping ease I find;
I catch at shadows, grasp air with my hand;
On seas I float are bounded with no land;
Plough water, sow on rocks, and reap the wind.

The sun I gaz'd so long at, I became
Struck with its dazzling rays, and lost my eyes;
I chase a nimble doe that always flies,
And hunt with a dull creature, weak and lame.

Heartless I live to all things but my ill,
Which I'm solicitous to follow still;
And only call on Laura, Love and Death.

Thus twenty years I've spent in misery,
Whilst only sighs, and tears, and sobs I buy,
Under such hard stars first I drew my breath.





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