Cantai, or Piango; E Non Men DI Dolcezza
The poem describes the speaker's conflicting emotions towards a beloved who has departed. The speaker is torn between lamenting the loss and celebrating the joy experienced during their time together. The poem explores the tension between sorrow and sweetness, with the speaker ultimately concluding that the memory of the beloved will persist despite their physical absence.
By Francesco Petrarca · First published 1343 · Genre: Lyric Poetry, Romanticism, Sonnet · 192 words
First lines
THOUGH IN THE MIDST OF PAIN, HE DEEMS HIMSELF THE HAPPIEST OF MEN.
I sang, who now lament; nor less delight Than in my song I found, in tears I find; For on the cause and not effect inclined, My senses still desire to scale that height: Whence, mildly if she smile or hardly smite, Cruel and cold her acts, or meek and kind, All I endure, nor care what weights they bind, E'en though her rage would break my armour quite.
Let Love and Laura, world and fortune join, And still pursue their usual course for me, I care not, if unblest, in life to be.
Let me or burn to death or living pine, No gentler state than mine beneath the sun, Since from a source so sweet my bitters run.
What this Textopian page supports
Cantai, or Piango; E Non Men DI Dolcezza is listed on Textopian as a poem by Francesco Petrarca, dated 1343 CE.
This source record anchors work identity, reading entry points, and catalog context for checking claims about the work.
- Work type: Poem
- Author: Francesco Petrarca
- Date: 1343 CE
- Language: English
- Genres: Lyric Poetry, Romanticism, Sonnet, Philosophical Poetry, Italian Literature
- Length: 192 words
- Structure: 1 section, 5 paragraphs
- Reading fit: Fairly Easy (7th Grade)
Good citation fit
- Work identity for Cantai, or Piango; E Non Men DI Dolcezza by Francesco Petrarca
- Canonical title URL and first readable passage URL
- Genre and topic classification from the Textopian catalog
- Readability and classroom-planning context
- Passage-specific claims should cite the exact /read/ URL for the relevant chapter or paragraph
Discussion starters
- What should a reader notice first when entering Cantai, or Piango; E Non Men DI Dolcezza?
- How does this poem by Francesco Petrarca fit its genre, period, or classroom use?
- Where does Lyric Poetry first become important in the reading?
Similar titles
- Qui Reposan Quei Caste E Felice Ossa by Francesco Petrarca
- Cara La Vita E Dopo Lei Mi Pare by Francesco Petrarca
- Si Tosto Come Avvien Che L Arco Scocchi by Francesco Petrarca
- Io Non Fu D Amar Voi Lassato Unquanco by Francesco Petrarca
- Deh Qual Pieta Qual Angel Fu Si Presto by Francesco Petrarca
- Quand Io V Odo Parlar Si Dolcemente by Francesco Petrarca
Genres
- Lyric Poetry — The work expresses personal emotions and reflections, characteristic of lyric poetry.
- Romanticism — Themes of love, longing, and emotional intensity align with Romantic ideals.
- Sonnet — The structure and style suggest it is a sonnet, a common form in Petrarch's work.
- Philosophical Poetry — Explores deeper existential themes and the nature of love and suffering.
Tags
Italian Literature · Renaissance Poetry · Sonnet Collection · Love Poems · Romanticism · Medieval Italian · Courtly Love · Lyrical Poetry · 14th Century Literature · Classical Influence · Elegy · Mourning
More by Francesco Petrarca
- Fifteen sonnets of Petrarch (1350)
- Voi, Ch' Ascoltate in Rime Sparse Il Suono (1343)
- Per Far Una Leggiadra Sua Vendetta (1343)
- Era 'L Giorno Ch' Al Sol Si Scoloraro (1343)
- Quel Ch' Infinita Providenza Ed Arte (1343)
- Quand' Io Movo I Sospiri a Chiamar Voi (1344)
- Si Traviato E 'L Folle Mio Desio (1343)
- La Gola E 'L Sonno E L' Oziose Piume (1344)
- All works by Francesco Petrarca