Sonnet+18

Avella C Espinoza A

(1304-1374)

 * born in Arezzo, Italy
 * studyied law but began to write poetry
 * among the great italian poets of the fourteenth century
 * 1326 first saw Laura, celebrates his love for her in his poems
 * Laura died in the Great Plague of 1348

=**Sonnet 18***=

As yet unsung, sweet lady, in my rhyme; When first I saw thee I recall the time. Pleasing as none shall ever please again. But no fit polish can my verse attain, Not mine is strength to try the task sublime: My genius, measuring its power to climb, From such attempt doth prudently refrain. Full oft I oped my lips to chant thy name; Then in mid utterance the lay was lost: But say what a muse can dare so bold a fight? Full oft I strove in measure to indite; But ah, the pen, the hand, the vien I boast, At once were vanquish'd by the mighty theme!**
 * Ashamed sometimes thy beauties should remain

__Question**__
Out of all the sonnets you read in Part One: Lovers and their Lines, which were your favorites? Why?