S' Io Fossi Stato Fermo Alla Spelunca
The poem expresses the speaker's regret for having abandoned a romantic affair with a woman, now lost to him. He reflects on what could have been if he had stayed with her at the Spelunca, a mountainous region in Italy. The speaker laments his decision, realizing too late that he has sacrificed true love and happiness.
By Francesco Petrarca · First published 1344 · Genre: Lyric Poetry, Philosophical Poetry, Classical Influence · 169 words
First lines
TO ONE WHO DESIRED LATIN VERSE OF HIM.
Still had I sojourn'd in that Delphic cave Where young Apollo prophet first became, Verona, Mantua were not sole in fame, But Florence, too, her poet now might have: But since the waters of that spring no more Enrich my land, needs must that I pursue Some other planet, and, with sickle new, Reap from my field of sticks and thorns its store.
Dried is the olive: elsewhere turn'd the stream Whose source from famed Parnassus was derived.
Whereby of yore it throve in best esteem.
What this Textopian page supports
S' Io Fossi Stato Fermo Alla Spelunca 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, Philosophical Poetry, Classical Influence, Romanticism, Elegiac Poetry
- Length: 169 words
- Structure: 1 section, 6 paragraphs
- Reading fit: Fairly Easy (7th Grade)
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Similar titles
- Distance And Solitude Di Pensier In Pensier Di Monte In Monte by Francesco Petrarca
- While Drawing In A Church Yard by Thomas Hardy
- In Vision I Roamed To by Thomas Hardy
- Rest by George William Russell
- Meditations On A Holiday by Thomas Hardy
- By The Margin Of The Great Deep by George William Russell
Genres
- Lyric Poetry — The work is characterized by personal expression and emotional depth, typical of lyric poetry.
- Philosophical Poetry — It explores themes of fate, fortune, and the human condition, reflecting philosophical inquiries.
- Classical Influence — The references to Apollo and Parnassus indicate a strong influence from classical literature and mythology.
- Romanticism — The focus on individual emotion and nature aligns with early romantic themes.
Tags
nature · solitude · reflection · philosophy · meditation · existentialism · human experience · tranquility · beauty · time · memory · self-discovery
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