Quando 'L Voler, Che Con Duo Sproni Ardenti
The poem describes the speaker's longing to be with their beloved, who has departed. The speaker expresses a desire to fly away with wings of fire, symbolizing passion and urgency, to reach their loved one. They lament the distance between them, comparing it to the vastness of the sea and the sky.
By Francesco Petrarca · First published 1344 · Genre: Lyric Poetry, Romanticism, Sonnet · 184 words
First lines
HER LOOKS BOTH COMFORT AND CHECK HIM.
When, with two ardent spurs and a hard rein, Passion, my daily life who rules and leads, From time to time the usual law exceeds That calm, at least in part, my spirits may gain, It findeth her who, on my forehead plain, The dread and daring of my deep heart reads, And seeth Love, to punish its misdeeds, Lighten her piercing eyes with worse disdain.
Wherefore -- as one who fears the impending blow Of angry Jove -- it back in haste retires, For great fears ever master great desires; But the cold fire and shrinking hopes which so Lodge in my heart, transparent as a glass, O'er her sweet face at times make gleams of grace to pass.
MACGREGOR.
What this Textopian page supports
Quando 'L Voler, Che Con Duo Sproni Ardenti is listed on Textopian as a poem by Francesco Petrarca, dated 1344 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: 1344 CE
- Language: English
- Genres: Lyric Poetry, Romanticism, Sonnet, Philosophical Poetry, Italian Literature
- Length: 184 words
- Structure: 1 section, 4 paragraphs
- Reading fit: Fairly Difficult (10th-12th Grade)
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Discussion starters
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Similar titles
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- Quel Che N Tessaglia Ebbe Le Man Si Pronte by Francesco Petrarca
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- La Donna Che L Mio Cor Nel Viso Porta by Francesco Petrarca
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- L Aura Gentil Che Rasserena I Poggi by Francesco Petrarca
Genres
- Lyric Poetry — The work is characterized by personal emotion and reflection, typical of lyric poetry.
- Romanticism — Themes of love, desire, and inner conflict 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 related to love and desire.
Tags
Italian Literature · Renaissance Poetry · Love Poem · Sonnet · 14th Century · Classical Influence · Romanticism · Courtly Love · Medieval Inspiration · Lyrical Poetry · Elegy · Tuscan Dialect
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