Poetry Explorer


Classic and Contemporary Poetry


THE RESOLUTION; A SONNET by PETRARCH

First Line: OH TIME! OH ROLLING HEAVENS, THAT FLY SO FAST
Last Line: VIRTUE'S NO CHANCE, BUT IS ACQUIR'D BY SKILL.

OH Time! Oh rolling Heavens, that fly so fast,
And cheat us mortals ignorant and blind!
Oh fugitive Day, swifter than bird or wind!
Your frauds I see, by all my suff'rings past.

But pardon me, 'tis I myself must blame,
Nature that spreads your wings, and makes you fly,
To me gave eyes, that I my ills might spy:
Yet I retain'd them to my grief, and shame.

Time was I might, and Time is still I may
Direct my steps in a securer way,
And end this sad infinity of ill;
Yet 'tis not from thy yoke, O Love, I part,
But the effects; I will reclaim my heart:
Virtue's no chance, but is acquir'd by skill.



Home: PoetryExplorer.net