The Poetry Corner

Sonnet XXXV.

By Francesco Petrarca (Petrarch)

Il figliuol di Latona avea gi nove. THE GRIEF OF PHOEBUS AT THE LOSS OF HIS LOVE. Nine times already had Latona's son Look'd from the highest balcony of heaven For her, who whilom waked his sighs in vain, And sighs as vain now wakes in other breasts; Then seeking wearily, nor knowing where She dwelt, or far or near, and why delay'd, He show'd himself to us as one, insane For grief, who cannot find some loved lost thing: And thus, for clouds of sorrow held aloof, Saw not the fair face turn, which, if I live, In many a page shall praised and honour'd be, The misery of her loss so changed her mien That her bright eyes were dimm'd, for once, with tears, Thereon its former gloom the air resumed. MACGREGOR.