S' Onesto Amor Puo Meritar Mercede
The poem explores the theme of unrequited love and the speaker's desire for mercy from their beloved. The speaker argues that their honest love deserves mercy, but it remains unreciprocated. They lament their fate, describing themselves as a shipwrecked sailor, lost in a stormy sea without hope of rescue.
By Francesco Petrarca · First published 1343 · Genre: Lyric Poetry, Romanticism, Religious Poetry · 365 words
First lines
HE PRAYS THAT, IN REWARD FOR HIS LONG AND VIRTUOUS ATTACHMENT, SHE WILL VISIT HIM IN DEATH.
If Mercy e'er rewardeth virtuous love, If Pity still can do, as she has done, I shall have rest, for clearer than the sun My lady and the world my faith approve.
What this Textopian page supports
S' Onesto Amor Puo Meritar Mercede 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, Philosophical Poetry
- Length: 365 words
- Structure: 1 section, 9 paragraphs
- Reading fit: Fairly Easy (7th Grade)
Good citation fit
- Work identity for S' Onesto Amor Puo Meritar Mercede by Francesco Petrarca
- Canonical title URL and first readable passage URL
- Genre and topic classification from the Textopian catalog
- Readability and classroom-planning context
- Passage-specific claims should cite the exact /read/ URL for the relevant chapter or paragraph
Discussion starters
- What should a reader notice first when entering S' Onesto Amor Puo Meritar Mercede?
- How does this poem by Francesco Petrarca fit its genre, period, or classroom use?
- Where does Lyric Poetry first become important in the reading?
Similar titles
- S Amor Novo Consiglio Non N Apporta by Francesco Petrarca
- Qui Dove Mezzo Son Sennuccio Mio by Francesco Petrarca
- Geri Quando Talor Meco S Adira by Francesco Petrarca
- O D Ardente Virtute Ornata E Calda by Francesco Petrarca
- In Mezzo Di Duo Amanti Onesta Altera by Francesco Petrarca
- Sennuccio I Vo Che Sappi In Qual Maniera by Francesco Petrarca
Genres
- Lyric Poetry — The work expresses deep personal emotions and reflections on love, characteristic of lyric poetry.
- Romanticism — Themes of idealized love and longing align with the principles of Romanticism.
- Religious Poetry — The text invokes spiritual elements and the hope for divine reward for virtuous love.
- Sonnet — The structure and style suggest it may be part of a sonnet sequence, typical of Petrarch's work.
Tags
Italian Literature · Renaissance Poetry · Love Poem · Sonnet · 14th Century · Medieval Literature · Courtly Love · Romance · Passion · Desire · Longing · Beauty
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