The idea of the renaissance

Petrarchisms

Notes

Exercises

On Copia

Metaphrasis

Poetry

I would I were Actaeon, whom Diana did disguise,
To walk the woods unknown whereas my lady lies;
A hart of pleasant hue I wish that I were so,
So that my lady knew alone me and no mo;

To follow thick and plain, by hill and dale alow,
To drink the water fain, and feed me with the sloe.
I would not fear the frost, to lie upon the ground,
Delight should quite the cost, what pain so that I found.

The shaling nuts and mast that falleth from the tree
Should serve for my repast, might I my lady see;
Sometime that I might say when I saw here alone,
"Behold thy slave, all day that walks these woods unknown!"

– Bewe

Una candida cerva sopra l'erba
verde m'apparve con duo corna d'oro
fra due riviere all'ombra d'un alloro,
levando 'l sole a la stagione acerba.

Era sua vista sì dolce superba
ch' i' lasciai per seguirla ogni lavoro,
come l'avaro che 'n cercar tesoro
con diletto l'affanno disacerba.

"Nessun mi tocchi," al bel collo d'intorno
scritto avea di diamanti et di topayi.
"Libera farmi al mio Cesare parve."

Et era 'l sol già vòlto al meyyo giorno,
gli occhi miei stanchi di mirar, non sazi,
quand' io caddi ne l'acqua et ella sparve.

– Petrarca

Rotta è l'alta colonna e 'l verde lauro
che facean ombra al mio stanco pensero;
perduto ò quel che rirovar non spero
dal borea a l'austro o dal mar indo al mauro.

Tolto m'ài, Morte, il mio doppio tesauro
che mi fea viver lieto et gire altero,
et ristorar nol po terra né impero,
né gemma oriental né forza d'auro.

Ma se consentimento è di destino,
che posso io più se no aver l'alma trista,
umidi gli occhi sempre, e 'l viso chino?

O nostra vita ch' è sì bella in vista,
com' perde agevolmente in un matino
quel che 'n molti anni a gran pena s'acquista.

– Petrarca

There was never file half so well filed
To file a file for every smith's intent
As I was made a filing instrument
To frame other, while I was beguiled.

But reason hath at my folly smiled
And pardoned me since that I me repent
Of my lost years and time misspent:
For youth did me lead and falsehood guiled.

Yet this trust I have of full great appearance:
Since that deceit is ay returnable,
Of very force it is agreeable

That therewithal be done the recompense.
Then guile beguiled plained should be never
And the reward little trust forever.

– Thomas Wyatt

When every one to pleasing pastime hies
Some hunt, some hauke, some play, while some delight
In sweet discourse, and musique showes joys might
Yett I my thoughts doe farr above thes prise.

The joy which I take, is that free from eyes
I sitt, and wunder att this daylike night
Soe to dispose them-selves, as voyd of right;
And leave true pleasure for poore vanities;

When others hunt, my thoughts I have in chase;
If hauke, my mind att wished end doth fly,
Discourse, I with my spiritt tauke, and cry
While others, musique choose as greatest grace.

O God, say I, can thes fond pleasures move?
Or musique bee butt in sweet thoughts of love?

– Mary Wroth