How Now, Dear Petrarch?
Hey, my 14th day of this engaging sonnet-a-day-for-a-year challenge, and chance inspired me to write about none other than the Prince of the 14-line delicacy himself, Petrarch! A set of sonnets that seems could become more than but two, for now that will be all. This is the third in a series of sonnets discussing the two main models and their respective fathers.
According to my limited studies in Charles Tomlinson's Essay on the Sonnet, Petrarch reportedly honed each sonnet he penned nor would let it be publicized until he had edited it to his impeccable standards. Nothing less than perfection. And I, while I insist on only the absolute standards for sonnets, by contrast, generally post my sonnets sans editing before the proverbial ink is dry. Ooopsie.
(sonnet # CCCXIX)
Though Petrarch brought this darling form to reign
The crowning jew'l of poetry, and Prince
Thereof, whose ardent love for Laura prints
Her name by his devotion (fame small gain
For those emotions), etches his refrain
Through sonnet lore, the driving force being, since
This most exquisite gem ascended, glints
Of Love, its chiefest theme, it meets disdain.
And wherefore this? Petrarca's standard, key
To his success and this form's prominence,
Is nothing but the utmost best; whose fee
Is naught less than perfection, an expense
But few care to incur, including me.
Alas, dear Petrarch! Pardon my offence!
16Nov11
And Petrarch himself would be Proud. I have a copy of Sonnets to Laura by my bed, and when I need inspiration I need only pick it up and be be in AWE of his perfection. You did an excellent job!
that's a fine write. My own pale in comparison even with the editing. And to manage one a day, I'm lucky if I can write my name once a day and have it turn out right. An enviable penning of course. from a kookie fan. tfs
A nice tribute to the father of the Sonnets, Jenny
Wonderful Jenny...the ultimate conquest of the Petrarch sonnet...great work and all the very best in the Sonnet a day challengs
Amusing and nice, the last line in particular. It reads well, and the internal rhymes are appreciated: therof/love, devotion/emotion, gem/ascends, and so forth. Rhyming "prince" to "prints" is a terrific effort, and it pays off. Some complex work too, having to insert words like exquisite, prominence, and Petrarch not once but thrice - nice work throughout. Speaking of the last line: line 8, "it's" ought to be "its". Enjoyed reading it - thanks for writing it. Good job keeping up with the challenge!
An artiste true. Magic
lovely