Explore "Son Animali Al Mondo DI Si Altera" by Francesco Petrarca on Textopian. Read with annotations and highlights.
HE COMPARES HIMSELF TO A MOTH.
Creatures there are in life of such keen sight / That no defence they need from noonday sun, / And others dazzled by excess of light / Who issue not abroad till day is done, / And, with weak fondness, some because 'tis bright, / Who in the death-flame for enjoyment run, / Thus proving theirs a different virtue quite -- / Alas! of this last kind myself am one; / For, of this fair the splendour to regard, / I am but weak and ill -- against late hours / And darkness gath'ring round -- myself to ward.
Wherefore, with tearful eyes of failing powers, / My destiny condemns me still to turn / Where following faster I but fiercer burn.
MACGREGOR.