Explore "Cara La Vita, E Dopo Lei MI Pare" by Francesco Petrarca on Textopian. Read with annotations and highlights.
HONOUR TO BE PREFERRED TO LIFE.
Methinks that life in lovely woman first, / And after life true honour should be dear; / Nay, wanting honour -- of all wants the worst -- / Friend! nought remains of loved or lovely here.
And who, alas! has honour's barrier burst, / Unsex'd and dead, though fair she yet appear, / Leads a vile life, in shame and torment curst, / A lingering death, where all is dark and drear.
To me no marvel was Lucretia's end, / Save that she needed, when that last disgrace / Alone sufficed to kill, a sword to die.
Sophists in vain the contrary defend: / Their arguments are feeble all and base, / And truth alone triumphant mounts on high!
MACGREGOR.