Vidi Fra Mille Donne Una Gia Tale
The poem describes a beautiful woman seen among thousands of others, but none can compare to her beauty. The speaker is struck by her appearance and praises her virtues, declaring his love for her. He notes that even the most skilled poets would be unable to adequately describe her beauty.
By Francesco Petrarca · First published 1343 · Genre: Lyric Poetry, Romanticism, Elegy · 181 words
First lines
BEAUTY SHOWED ITSELF IN, AND DISAPPEARED WITH, LAURA.
'Mid many fair one such by me was seen That amorous fears my heart did instant seize, Beholding her -- nor false the images -- Equal to angels in her heavenly mien.
Nothing in her was mortal or terrene, As one whom nothing short of heaven can please; My soul well train'd for her to burn and freeze Sought in her wake to mount the blue serene.
But ah! too high for earthly wings to rise Her pitch, and soon she wholly pass'd from sight: The very thought still makes me cold and numb; O beautiful and high and lustrous eyes, Where Death, who fills the world with grief and fright, Found entrance in so fair a form to come.
What this Textopian page supports
Vidi Fra Mille Donne Una Gia Tale 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, Elegy, Philosophical Poetry, Sonnet
- Length: 181 words
- Structure: 1 section, 5 paragraphs
- Reading fit: Fairly Easy (7th Grade)
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- Work identity for Vidi Fra Mille Donne Una Gia Tale by Francesco Petrarca
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Discussion starters
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Similar titles
- Come Va L Mondo Or Mi Diletta E Piace by Francesco Petrarca
- Dolci Durezze E Placide Repulse by Francesco Petrarca
- L Alma Mia Fiamma Oltra Le Belle Bella by Francesco Petrarca
- S Una Fede Amorosa Un Cor Non Finto by Francesco Petrarca
- Amor Con Sue Promesse Lusingando by Francesco Petrarca
- Poi Che Mia Speme E Lunga A Venir Troppo by Francesco Petrarca
Genres
- Lyric Poetry — The work is primarily a lyrical expression of love and beauty, focusing on personal emotions and reflections.
- Romanticism — Themes of idealized love and the transcendence of beauty align with Romantic ideals.
- Elegy — The poem reflects on loss and longing, characteristic of elegiac poetry.
- Philosophical Poetry — Explores deeper existential themes related to beauty, love, and mortality.
Tags
Italian Literature · Renaissance Poetry · Love Poems · Sonnet Collection · 14th Century Writing · Classical Influence · Romanticism · Courtly Love · Medieval Inspiration · Lyrical Poetry · Elegy · Ode
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