D' Un Bel, Chiaro, Polito E Vivo Ghiaccio
The poem describes a beautiful, clear, polished, and lively ice that has formed on a fountain. The speaker is drawn to its beauty and clarity, but notes that it will soon melt away, leaving nothing behind. The poem is an allegory for the fleeting nature of human life and beauty.
By Francesco Petrarca · First published 1343 · Genre: Lyric Poetry, Romanticism, Sonnet · 174 words
First lines
THOUGH RACKED BY AGONY, HE DOES NOT COMPLAIN OF HER.
The flames that ever on my bosom prey From living ice or cold fair marble pour, And so exhaust my veins and waste my core, Almost insensibly I melt away.
Death, his stern arm already rear'd to slay, As thunders angry heaven or lions roar, Pursues my life that vainly flies before, While I with terror shake, and mute obey.
And yet, were Love and Pity friends, they might A double column for my succour throw Between my worn soul and the mortal blow: It may not be; such feelings in the sight Of my loved foe and mistress never stir; The fault is in my fortune, not in her.
What this Textopian page supports
D' Un Bel, Chiaro, Polito E Vivo Ghiaccio 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: 174 words
- Structure: 1 section, 5 paragraphs
- Reading fit: Easy (6th Grade)
Good citation fit
- Work identity for D' Un Bel, Chiaro, Polito E Vivo Ghiaccio by Francesco Petrarca
- Canonical title URL and first readable passage URL
- Genre and topic classification from the Textopian catalog
- Readability and classroom-planning context
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Discussion starters
- What should a reader notice first when entering D' Un Bel, Chiaro, Polito E Vivo Ghiaccio?
- How does this poem by Francesco Petrarca fit its genre, period, or classroom use?
- Where does Lyric Poetry first become important in the reading?
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Genres
- Lyric Poetry — The work is characterized by personal emotion and reflection, typical of lyric poetry.
- Romanticism — Themes of love, suffering, and the conflict between desire and despair align with Romantic ideals.
- Sonnet — The structure and style suggest it is a sonnet, focusing on a single theme or emotion.
- Philosophical Poetry — Explores deeper existential themes and the nature of love and suffering.
Tags
Italian literature · Renaissance poetry · Love sonnets · Petrarchan sonnets · 14th century literature · Medieval poetry · Courtly love · Romantic poetry · Lyrical poetry · Elegy · Ode · Sonnet sequence
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