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In qual parte del ciel, in quale idea - Francesco Petrarch, Some Love Songs [1915]

Edition used:

Some Love Songs of Petrarch, translated and annotated with a Biographical Introduction by William Dudley Foulke (Oxford University Press, 1915).

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Liberty Fund, Inc. is a private, educational foundation established to encourage the study of the ideal of a society of free and responsible individuals.


In qual parte del ciel, in quale idea

  • In what bright spot of heaven did it bide,
  • The pattern from which nature’s hand did bear
  • That gracious countenance, then turned aside
  • To show on earth what she could do up there?
  • What nymph or woodland goddess e’er unbound
  • Such golden tresses to the zephyr’s breath?
  • Where in a single breast such virtues found,
  • Although the chief has brought me to my death?
  • He looks in vain for beauty all divine
  • Who never gazed on this fair creature’s eyes
  • Nor saw how softly they did move and shine;
  • And he who never knew her tender sighs
  • Nor heard her gentle words or laughter gay
  • Knows not how Love can heal, how Love can slay.
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