Sonnet XL
Read 'Sonnet XL' by 'Francesco Petrarch' and provide your summary and literary analysis in the comments section below.
SONNET XL.
Quella per cui con Sorga ho cangiat' Arno.
HE ATTEMPTS TO PAINT HER BEAUTIES, BUT NOT HER VIRTUES.
She, for whose sake fair Arno I resign,And for free poverty court-affluence spurn,Has known to sour the precious sweets to turnOn which I lived, for which I burn and pine.Though since, the vain attempt has oft been mineThat future ages from my song should learnHer heavenly beauties, and like me should burn,My poor verse fails her sweet face to define.The gifts, though all her own, which others share,Which were but stars her bright sky scatter'd o'er,Haply of these to sing e'en I might dare;But when to the diviner part I soar,[Pg 266]To the dull world a brief and brilliant light,Courage and wit and art are baffled quite.
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