La Bella Donna Che Cotanto Amavi
The poem describes the poet's beloved who has died. He mourns her loss and praises her beauty, which he claims was so great it could move mountains and calm turbulent seas. The poet expresses his grief, remembering their time together and lamenting that death has taken her from him.
By Francesco Petrarca · First published 1343 · Genre: Lyric Poetry, Elegy, Romanticism · 364 words
First lines
TO HIS BROTHER GERARDO, ON THE DEATH OF A LADY TO WHOM HE WAS ATTACHED.
The beauteous lady thou didst love so well Too soon hath from our regions wing'd her flight, To find, I ween, a home 'mid realms of light; So much in virtue did she here excel Thy heart's twin key of joy and woe can dwell No more with her -- then re-assume thy might, Pursue her by the path most swift and right, Nor let aught earthly stay thee by its spell.
What this Textopian page supports
La Bella Donna Che Cotanto Amavi 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, Elegy, Romanticism, Philosophical Poetry, Religious Poetry
- Length: 364 words
- Structure: 1 section, 7 paragraphs
- Reading fit: Standard (8th-9th Grade)
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Similar titles
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- O Bella Man Che Mi Distringi L Core by Francesco Petrarca
- Fuggendo La Prigione Ov Amor M Ebbe by Francesco Petrarca
- Se L Dolce Sguardo Di Costei M Ancide by Francesco Petrarca
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Genres
- Lyric Poetry — The work is a personal expression of grief and love, characteristic of lyric poetry.
- Elegy — The poem mourns the death of a beloved lady, fitting the conventions of an elegy.
- Romanticism — Themes of love, loss, and the idealization of the beloved align with Romantic ideals.
- Philosophical Poetry — The poem reflects on mortality and the nature of the soul, indicating philosophical themes.
Tags
Italian Literature · Renaissance Poetry · Love Poem · Sonnet · 14th Century · Classical Influence · Romanticism · Beauty · Feminine Ideal · Courtly Love · Medieval Culture · Lyrical Poetry
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