Petrarch - Sonnet CXXXVII lyrics

LOVE UNMANS HIS RESOLUTION Oft as her angel face compa**ion wore, With tears whose eloquence scarce fails to move, With bland and courteous speech, I boldly strove To soothe my foe, and in meek guise implore: But soon her eyes inspire vain hopes no more; For all my fortune, all my fate in love, My life, my d**h, the good, the ills I prove, To her are trusted by one sovereign power. Hence 'tis, whene'er my lips would silence break, Scarce can I hear the accents which I vent, By pa**ion render'd spiritless and weak. Ah! now I find that fondness to excess Fetters the tongue, and overpowers intent: Faint is the flame that language can express! Nott. Oft have I meant my pa**ion to declare, When fancy read compliance in her eyes; And oft with courteous speech, with love-lorn sighs, Have wish'd to soften my obdurate fair: But let that face one look of anger wear, The intention fades; for all that fate supplies, Or good, or ill, all, all that I can prize, My life, my d**h, Love trusts to her dear care. E'en I can scarcely hear my amorous moan, So much my voice by pa**ion is confined; So faint, so timid are my accents grown! Ah! now the force of love I plainly see; What can the tongue, or what the impa**ion'd mind? He that could speak his love, ne'er loved like me. Anon. 1777.