Explore "Rapido Fiume Che D' Alpestra Vena" by Francesco Petrarca on Textopian. Read with annotations and highlights.
JOURNEYING ALONG THE RHONE TO AVIGNON, PETRARCH BIDS THE RIVER KISS / LAURA'S HAND, AS IT WILL ARRIVE AT HER DWELLING BEFORE HIM.
Impetuous flood, that from the Alps' rude head, / Eating around thee, dost thy name obtain; [V] / Anxious like me both night and day to gain / Where thee pure nature, and me love doth lead; / Pour on: thy course nor sleep nor toils impede; / Yet, ere thou pay'st thy tribute to the main, / Oh, tarry where most verdant looks the plain, / Where most serenity the skies doth spread! / There beams my radiant sun of cheering ray, / Which deck thy left banks, and gems o'er with flowers; / E'en now, vain thought! perhaps she chides my stay: / Kiss then her feet, her hand so beauteous fair; / In place of language let thy kiss declare / Strong is my will, though feeble are my powers.