The Sonnets, Triumphs, and Other Poems of Petrarch Part 49

SONNET CXX.

_Ite, caldi sospiri, al freddo core._

HE IMPLORES MERCY OR DEATH.

Go, my warm sighs, go to that frozen breast, Burst the firm ice, that charity denies; And, if a mortal prayer can reach the skies, Let death or pity give my sorrows rest!

Go, softest thoughts! Be all you know express'd Of that unnoticed by her lovely eyes, Though fate and cruelty against me rise, Error at least and hope shall be repress'd.

Tell her, though fully you can never tell, That, while her days calm and serenely flow, In darkness and anxiety I dwell; Love guides your flight, my thoughts securely go, Fortune may change, and all may yet be well; If my sun's aspect not deceives my woe.

CHARLEMONT.

Go, burning sighs, to her cold bosom go, Its circling ice which hinders pity rend, And if to mortal prayer Heaven e'er attend, Let death or mercy finish soon my woe.

Go forth, fond thoughts, and to our lady show The love to which her bright looks never bend, If still her harshness, or my star offend, We shall at least our hopeless error know.

Go, in some chosen moment, gently say, Our state disquieted and dark has been, Even as hers pacific and serene.

Go, safe at last, for Love escorts your way: From my sun's face if right the skies I guess Well may my cruel fortune now be less.

MACGREGOR.

SONNET CXXI.

_Le stelle e 'l cielo e gli elementi a prova._

LAURA'S UNPARALLELED BEAUTY AND VIRTUE.

The stars, the elements, and Heaven have made With blended powers a work beyond compare; All their consenting influence, all their care, To frame one perfect creature lent their aid.

Whence Nature views her loveliness display'd With sun-like radiance sublimely fair: Nor mortal eye can the pure splendour bear: Love, sweetness, in unmeasured grace array'd.

The very air illumed by her sweet beams Breathes purest excellence; and such delight That all expression far beneath it gleams.

No base desire lives in that heavenly light, Honour alone and virtue!--fancy's dreams Never saw pa.s.sion rise refined by rays so bright.

CAPEL LOFFT.

The stars, the heaven, the elements, I ween, Put forth their every art and utmost care In that bright light, as fairest Nature fair, Whose like on earth the sun has nowhere seen; So n.o.ble, elegant, unique her mien, Scarce mortal glance to rest on it may dare, Love so much softness and such graces rare Showers from those dazzling and resistless een.

The atmosphere, pervaded and made pure By their sweet rays, kindles with goodness so, Thought cannot equal it nor language show.

Here no ill wish, no base desires endure, But honour, virtue. Here, if ever yet, Has l.u.s.t his death from supreme beauty met.

MACGREGOR.

SONNET CXXII.

_Non fur mai Giove e Cesare s mossi._

LAURA IN TEARS.

High Jove to thunder ne'er was so intent, So resolute great Caesar ne'er to strike, That pity had not quench'd the ire of both, And from their hands the accustom'd weapons shook.

Madonna wept: my Lord decreed that I Should see her then, and there her sorrows hear; So joy, desire should fill me to the brim, Thrilling my very marrow and my bones.

Love show'd to me, nay, sculptured on my heart, That sweet and sparkling tear, and those soft words Wrote with a diamond on its inmost core, Where with his constant and ingenious keys He still returneth often, to draw thence True tears of mine and long and heavy sighs.

MACGREGOR.

SONNET CXXIII.

_I' vidi in terra angelici costumi._

THE EFFECTS OF HER GRIEF.

On earth reveal'd the beauties of the skies, Angelic features, it was mine to hail; Features, which wake my mingled joy and wail, While all besides like dreams or shadows flies.

And fill'd with tears I saw those two bright eyes, Which oft have turn'd the sun with envy pale; And from those lips I heard--oh! such a tale, As might awake brute Nature's sympathies!

Wit, pity, excellence, and grief, and love With blended plaint so sweet a concert made, As ne'er was given to mortal ear to prove: And heaven itself such mute attention paid, That not a breath disturb'd the listening grove-- Even aether's wildest gales the tuneful charm obey'd.

WRANGHAM.

Yes, I beheld on earth angelic grace, And charms divine which mortals rarely see, Such as both glad and pain the memory; Vain, light, unreal is all else I trace: Tears I saw shower'd from those fine eyes apace, Of which the sun ofttimes might envious be; Accents I heard sigh'd forth so movingly, As to stay floods, or mountains to displace.

Love and good sense, firmness, with pity join'd And wailful grief, a sweeter concert made Than ever yet was pour'd on human ear: And heaven unto the music so inclined, That not a leaf was seen to stir the shade; Such melody had fraught the winds, the atmosphere.

NOTT.

SONNET CXXIV.

_Quel sempre acerbo ed onorato giorno._

HE RECALLS HER AS HE SAW HER WHEN IN TEARS.

That ever-painful, ever-honour'd day So left her living image on my heart Beyond or lover's wit or poet's art, That oft to it will doting memory stray.

A gentle pity softening her bright mien, Her sorrow there so sweet and sad was heard, Doubt in the gazer's bosom almost stirr'd G.o.ddess or mortal, which made heaven serene.

Fine gold her hair, her face as sunlit snow, Her brows and lashes jet, twin stars her eyne, Whence the young archer oft took fatal aim; Each loving lip--whence, utterance sweet and low Her pent grief found--a rose which rare pearls line, Her tears of crystal and her sighs of flame.

MACGREGOR.