The Triumphs of Petrarch (Paperback)

This historic book may have numerous typos, missing text, images, or index. Purchasers can download a free scanned copy of the original book (without typos) from the publisher. 1807. Not illustrated. Excerpt: ... THE TRIUMPH Or DEATH. PART THE SECOND. That fearful night that closed on Laura's doom (Quenched, like the day-star in Cimmerian gloom; But fated, too, like him, with rising ray, To mix her splendour with empyreal day: ) Was come, and found me with benighted eyes Mourning her passage to her native skies. And now her sacred dews Aurora shed, That chace the dreams by earthy vapours bred; And genuine visions from the hallow'd seat Of heavenly truth, in airy pageant, fleet Through the rapt mind; when, like another day, Doubling the splendours of the matin ray, A form seraphic, with a crown of light Too radiant for the strength of mortal sight, Her station left, where many a living star Dispens'd a soft celestial charm afar. That hand, which oft I long'd to touch in vain-- That hand, so oft-refus'd with cold disdain, She seem'd without reluctance to bestow, Enkindling rapture's soft Elysian glow. "And is your Laura yet unknown?" she cried: "Will you not recognise your gentle guide That led you from Oblivion's dusky vale. The sunny hill of high renown to scale ?"-- She spoke, and led me to a flowery seat, Where shading beech and laurel seem'd to meet; While, mingling tears of grief and glad surprise, Sighing I said -- " What demon sealed mine eyes? Say, do you live? or share the common doom In the dark chambers of the silent tomb? "-- "Oh mine is life indeed " with matchless grace* She said; "but you are bound in Death's embrace, And still in that cold jail art doom'd to pine Till the strong barrier yields to power divine. But time is short--repress your fond de-sire Too much or too minutely to inquire -- The day is near."--I then returned in haste, "0 tell me when the dream of life is past, What terrors are in death "-- The vision fair Thus seem'd to ...