DOI Seite / Zitierlink:
https://doi.org/10.11588/diglit.69942#0267
PETRARCH.
Francis Petrarch, who has reflected the greatest
honour on Italy, and whom Europe reckons as one of the
restorers of literature, was born at Arezzo, on the 20th
of July, 1304. Being, from his infancy, included in the
proscription which drove his father from France, he may
be said to have known misfortunes from his birth. He
was only seven years old when he had nearly perished
in the Arno—and shortly after on the coast of Mar-
seilles, when his family, less fortunate than himself, ex-
perienced all the horrors of shipwreck. Early in life he
discovered very extraordinary talents, and gave a presage
of that fame which he honourably attained. He was in-
tended for the law, and studied at Montpellier and Bo-
logna; but the charms of Virgil, of Cicero, and of Livy,
diverted his studies from that elaborate pursuit. On the
fleath of his father he returned to Avignon, where he be-
came smitten with the beauty of his beloved Laura. The
suavity of his manners, and the comeliness of his form,
attracted her attention, and conciliated her esteem ; but,
though sensible of his merit, she wras ever cautious of
manifesting her regard. Convinced, after a time, that
neither by his verses or his passion he could obtain an
ascendancy over her mind, he betook himself to travel,
and having visited France, Germany, and Italy, secluded
himself in his favourite retreat at Vaucluse. There he
found all that his heart desired—books, solitude and re-
pose: but his passion for Laura was unabated.
He then celebrated, w ith all the energy of his muse,
the virtues and the charms of his mistress, and the tran-
quillity of his retirement; but, while he gave immortg-
Francis Petrarch, who has reflected the greatest
honour on Italy, and whom Europe reckons as one of the
restorers of literature, was born at Arezzo, on the 20th
of July, 1304. Being, from his infancy, included in the
proscription which drove his father from France, he may
be said to have known misfortunes from his birth. He
was only seven years old when he had nearly perished
in the Arno—and shortly after on the coast of Mar-
seilles, when his family, less fortunate than himself, ex-
perienced all the horrors of shipwreck. Early in life he
discovered very extraordinary talents, and gave a presage
of that fame which he honourably attained. He was in-
tended for the law, and studied at Montpellier and Bo-
logna; but the charms of Virgil, of Cicero, and of Livy,
diverted his studies from that elaborate pursuit. On the
fleath of his father he returned to Avignon, where he be-
came smitten with the beauty of his beloved Laura. The
suavity of his manners, and the comeliness of his form,
attracted her attention, and conciliated her esteem ; but,
though sensible of his merit, she wras ever cautious of
manifesting her regard. Convinced, after a time, that
neither by his verses or his passion he could obtain an
ascendancy over her mind, he betook himself to travel,
and having visited France, Germany, and Italy, secluded
himself in his favourite retreat at Vaucluse. There he
found all that his heart desired—books, solitude and re-
pose: but his passion for Laura was unabated.
He then celebrated, w ith all the energy of his muse,
the virtues and the charms of his mistress, and the tran-
quillity of his retirement; but, while he gave immortg-