PETRARCH, FRANCESCO

Bowing one’s knees to God, brings much benefit,

The knees and the mind

That your years preserves for much good.

(Petrarch, 1969, 47)

Heavenly Father, after lost days,

After many wasted nights

With that intense desire that burned inside my heart,

Looking at the actions that for my harm adorn it,

May it please you, with your light, that I may return

To another light and to much better accomplishments,

So that in spite of traps prepared by him,

My harsh adversary may be ashamed.

Now ends, my Lord the eleventh year

That I was subjected to my cruel punishment

That is most burdensome upon the most humble;

Have mercy of my unworthy suffering

Remind them how today you were on the cross. 

(Neri, 118)