Deh Qual Pieta, Qual Angel Fu Si Presto
The poem describes the poet's grief and despair at the death of his beloved Laura. He laments her passing, recalling her beauty and virtues, and expresses his longing to be reunited with her in heaven. The tone is melancholic and introspective, with the poet addressing Laura directly, as if she were still present.
By Francesco Petrarca · First published 1343 · Genre: Lyric Poetry, Romanticism, Religious Poetry · 185 words
First lines
HIS PRAYER IS HEARD.
What angel of compassion, hovering near, Heard, and to heaven my heart grief instant bore, Whence now I feel descending as of yore My lady, in that bearing chaste and dear, My lone and melancholy heart to cheer, So free from pride, of humbleness such store, In fine, so perfect, though at death's own door, I live, and life no more is dull and drear.
Blessed is she who so can others bless With her fair sight, or with that tender speech To whose full meaning love alone can reach. "Dear friend," she says, "thy pangs my soul distress; But for our good I did thy homage shun" -- In sweetest tones which might arrest the sun.
MACGREGOR.
What this Textopian page supports
Deh Qual Pieta, Qual Angel Fu Si Presto 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, Religious Poetry, Sonnet, Italian Literature
- Length: 185 words
- Structure: 1 section, 4 paragraphs
- Reading fit: Fairly Easy (7th Grade)
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- Work identity for Deh Qual Pieta, Qual Angel Fu Si Presto by Francesco Petrarca
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- Genre and topic classification from the Textopian catalog
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Discussion starters
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Similar titles
- Si Tosto Come Avvien Che L Arco Scocchi by Francesco Petrarca
- Quel Vago Impallidir Che L Dolce Riso by Francesco Petrarca
- Cantai Or Piango E Non Men Di Dolcezza by Francesco Petrarca
- Amor Che Nel Pensier Mio Vive E Regna by Francesco Petrarca
- Qui Reposan Quei Caste E Felice Ossa by Francesco Petrarca
- Io Non Fu D Amar Voi Lassato Unquanco by Francesco Petrarca
Genres
- Lyric Poetry — The work is characterized by personal emotion and reflection, typical of lyric poetry.
- Romanticism — Themes of love, longing, and idealization of the beloved align with Romantic ideals.
- Religious Poetry — The invocation of angels and themes of divine compassion suggest a spiritual dimension.
- Sonnet — The structure and style reflect the characteristics of a sonnet, focusing on a single theme.
Tags
Italian Literature · Renaissance Poetry · Sonnet · Love Poem · Romanticism · Medieval Literature · Courtly Love · Petrarchan Sonnet · Lyrical Poetry · Elegy · Mourning · Loss
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