To Giulia Grisi

When the rose is brightest,
Its bloom will soonest die;
When burns the meteor brightest,
T will vanish from the sky.
If Death but wait until delight
Oerrun the heart like wine,
And break the cup when brimming quite,
I die, for thou hast poured to-night
The last drop into mine

Nathaniel Parker Willis

Nathaniel Parker Willis was an American author, poet, and editor who was among the most popular literary figures of his time. He founded and edited several periodicals and wrote many poems, essays, and travelogues. Willis was known for his urbane style, which influenced the development of 19th-century American literature. Despite his widespread popularity during his lifetime, his work fell out of favor in the years following his death.

Nathaniel Parker Willis

Song.

Nathaniel Parker Willis, Simple Poetry

The Solitary.

Nathaniel Parker Willis, Simple Poetry

January 1, 1828

Nathaniel Parker Willis, Simple Poetry

The Baptism.

Nathaniel Parker Willis, Simple Poetry

English

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To Laura In Death. Canzone IV.

Tacer non posso, e temo non adopre.

HE RECALLS HER MANY GRACES.


    Fain would I speak--too long has silence seal'd
Lips that would gladly with my full heart move
With one consent, and yield
Homage to her who listens from above;
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From these gay meadows round sweet flowers to bind,
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The walls were alabaster, the roof gold,
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To Laura In Death. Canzone V.

Solea dalla fontana di mia vita.

MEMORY IS HIS ONLY SOLACE AND SUPPORT.


    I who was wont from life's best fountain far
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Pursuing not my pleasure, but my star,
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Ready in bitter exile to depart,
For hope and memory both then fed my heart;
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That so sweet hope, my armour have resign'd;
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As haply by the way, if want of food
Compel the traveller to relax his speed,
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To Laura In Death. Canzone III.

Standomi un giorno solo alla finestra.

UNDER VARIOUS ALLEGORIES HE PAINTS THE VIRTUE, BEAUTY, AND UNTIMELY DEATH OF LAURA.


    While at my window late I stood alone,
So new and many things there cross'd my sight,
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A dappled hind appear'd upon the right,
In aspect gentle, yet of stately stride,
By two swift greyhounds chased, a black and white,
Who tore in the poor side
Of that fair creature wounds so deep and wide,
That soon they forced her where ravine and rock
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Then triumph'd Death her matchless beauties o'er,
And left me lonely there her sad fate to deplore.

Upon the summer wave a gay ship danced,
Her cordage was of silk, of gold her sails,
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Francesco Petrarca

Canzone III.

Verdi panni, sanguigni, oscuri o persi.

WHETHER OR NOT HE SHOULD CEASE TO LOVE LAURA.


    Green robes and red, purple, or brown, or gray
No lady ever wore,
Nor hair of gold in sunny tresses twined,
So beautiful as she, who spoils my mind
Of judgment, and from freedom's lofty path
So draws me with her that I may not bear
Any less heavy yoke.

And if indeed at times--for wisdom fails
Where martyrdom breeds doubt--
The soul should ever arm it to complain
Suddenly from each reinless rude desire
Her smile recalls, and razes from my heart
Every rash enterprise, while all disdain
Is soften'd in her sight.

For all that I have ever borne for love,
And still am doom'd to bear,
Till she who wounded it shall heal my heart,

Francesco Petrarca

To Laura In Death. Sonnet XI.

Se lamentar augelli, o Verdi fronde.

SHE IS EVER PRESENT TO HIM.


    If the lorn bird complain, or rustling sweep
Soft summer airs o'er foliage waving slow,
Or the hoarse brook come murmuring down the steep,
Where on the enamell'd bank I sit below
With thoughts of love that bid my numbers flow;
'Tis then I see her, though in earth she sleep!
Her, form'd in heaven! I see, and hear, and know!
Responsive sighing, weeping as I weep:
"Alas," she pitying says, "ere yet the hour,
Why hurry life away with swifter flight?
Why from thy eyes this flood of sorrow pour?
No longer mourn my fate! through death my days
Become eternal! to eternal light
These eyes, which seem'd in darkness closed, I raise!"

DACRE.


    Where the gr...

Francesco Petrarca