Se Bianche Non Son Prima Ambe Le Tempie
The poem explores the speaker's emotional turmoil and inner conflict. It begins with a description of the speaker's physical appearance, emphasizing their pale complexion and worn-out temples. The speaker then expresses feelings of despair, sorrow, and desperation, suggesting they are trapped in a state of emotional pain. They lament the loss of their beloved, who has abandoned them, leaving them to suffer alone. The poem concludes with the speaker's resignation to their fate, acknowledging that their suffering is inevitable and will persist until death.
By Francesco Petrarca · First published 1343 · Genre: Lyric Poetry, Romanticism, Philosophical Poetry · 189 words
First lines
THOUGH NOT SECURE AGAINST THE WILES OF LOVE, HE FEELS STRENGTH ENOUGH TO RESIST THEM.
Till silver'd o'er by age my temples grow, Where Time by slow degrees now plants his grey, Safe shall I never be, in danger's way While Love still points and plies his fatal bow I fear no more his tortures and his tricks, That he will keep me further to ensnare Nor ope my heart, that, from without, he there His poisonous and ruthless shafts may fix.
No tears can now find issue from mine eyes, But the way there so well they know to win, That nothing now the pass to them denies.
Though the fierce ray rekindle me within, It burns not all: her cruel and severe Form may disturb, not break my slumbers here.
What this Textopian page supports
Se Bianche Non Son Prima Ambe Le Tempie 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, Philosophical Poetry, Sonnet, Meditative Poetry
- Length: 189 words
- Structure: 1 section, 5 paragraphs
- Reading fit: Fairly Easy (7th Grade)
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- Work identity for Se Bianche Non Son Prima Ambe Le Tempie by Francesco Petrarca
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- Genre and topic classification from the Textopian catalog
- Readability and classroom-planning context
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Discussion starters
- What should a reader notice first when entering Se Bianche Non Son Prima Ambe Le Tempie?
- 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
- Se Mai Foco Per Foco Non Si Spense by Francesco Petrarca
- Liete E Pensose Accompagnate E Sole by Francesco Petrarca
- Gia Desiai Con Si Giusta Querela by Francesco Petrarca
- O Passi Sparsi O Pensier Vaghi E Pronti by Francesco Petrarca
- Questo Nostro Caduco E Fragil Bene by Francesco Petrarca
- Far Potess Io Vendetta Di Colei by Francesco Petrarca
Genres
- Lyric Poetry — The work is characterized by personal emotions and reflections on love, typical of lyric poetry.
- Romanticism — Themes of love, beauty, and the passage of time align with Romantic ideals.
- Philosophical Poetry — The exploration of love's complexities and the nature of human emotion reflects philosophical inquiry.
- Sonnet — The structure and style suggest it is a sonnet, a common form in Petrarch's work.
Tags
Italian Literature · Renaissance Poetry · Love Poems · Sonnet Collection · Classical Influence · Medieval Inspiration · Courtly Love · Lyrical Poetry · Philosophical Themes · Spiritual Quest · Moral Reflections · Autobiographical Elements
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