As at times in hot sunny weather Poem by Francesco Petrarch

As at times in hot sunny weather

‘Come talora al caldo tempo sòle'

As at times in hot sunny weather
a guileless butterfly accustomed to the light,
flies in its wanderings into someone's face,
causing it to die, and the other to weep:
so I am always running towards the sunlight of her eyes,
fatal to me, from which so much sweetness comes
that Love takes no heed of the reins of reason:
and he who discerns them is conquered by his desire.
And truly I see how much disdain they have for me,
and I know I am certain to die of them,
since my strength cannot counter the pain:
but Love dazzles me so sweetly,
that I weep for the other's annoyance, not my hurt:
and my soul consents blindly to its death.

Translated by: A. S. Kline

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