Poetry Explorer


Classic and Contemporary Poetry


SONNET: 1 by LORENZO DE' MEDICI

First Line: I SAW MY LADY BY A COOL, FRESH STREAM
Last Line: BUT MEMORY DOES NOT SO SOON FADE AWAY.
Subject(s): ITALIAN RENAISSANCE;

I saw my lady by a cool, fresh stream
Among green branches and gay ladies stand;
Since the first hour when I felt love's hot brand
I never saw her face more lovely gleam.

This sight fulfilled in part my fondest dream
And over my soul put reason in command;
But when I left, my heart stayed at her hand,
My fears and grief the greater came to seem.

When now the sun bent downwards to the west,
And left the earth in shadow and in night,
Then my own sun was hidden from its ray.

The setting sun more sadness brought at best.
How all too little lasts this world's best light!
But memory does not so soon fade away.



Home: PoetryExplorer.net