petrarca

February 20, 2007 entry taken from my previous blog

XXI
Mille fiate, o dolce mia guerrera,
Per aver co'begli occhi vostri pace,
V'aggio profferto il cor; ma a voi non piace
Mirar sí basso con la mente altera:
E se di lui fors'altra donna spera,
Vive in speranza debile e fallace:
Mio, perchè sdegno ciò ch'a voi dispiace,
Esser non può giammai così com'era.

Or s'io lo scaccio, ed e' non trova in voi
Nell'esilio infelice alcun soccorso,
Nè sa star sol, nè gire ov'altri' l chiama
Poria smarrire il suo natural corso;
Che grave colpa fia d'ambeduo noi,
E tanto più di voi, quanto più v'ama.
~Francesco Petrarca (1304-1374) Canzoniere (c. 1327)

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This sonnet is a prime example of Francesco Petrarca's undying love for a mystery woman named Laura. There have been many questions left unanswered over this female figure with whom Petrarca was madly infatuated. For example, was Laura a real person or someone thought up to pose as his muse? Well, according to facts, Laura de Noves of Avignon did indeed exist and passed away in 1348 due to the plague (Britannica), but because there are no certain clues about the woman in Petrarca's work, other Laura's have been suggested. Also, her existence inspired Petrarca for over twenty years in which he wrote numerous pieces and tributes.

"Mille fiate" is absolutely breathtaking in my opinion. Also, it rings true to his feelings for a woman he may never have had contact with. To admire someone from afar it must have been difficult to ignore those feelings of disappointment and being looked over. To know that your heart longs to be with only one person and that one person has the power to fix a problem they have no idea exists.