Esther M. Zimmer Lederberg
Petrarch Sonnet I

O joyous, blossoming, ever-blessed flowers!
     ’Mid which my pensive queen her footstep sets;
     O plain, that hold’st her words for amulets
And keep’st her footsteps in thy leafy bowers!

O trees, with earliest green of springtime hours,
     And all spring’s pale and tender violets!
     O grove, so dark the proud sun only lets
His blithe rays gild the outskirts of thy towers!

O pleasant country-side! O limpid stream,
That mirrorest her sweet face, her eyes so clear,
And of their living light canst catch the beam!

I envy thee her presence pure and dear.
There is no rock so senseless but I deem
It burns with passion that to mine is near.

Back

© Copyright 2006 - 2018    The Esther M. Zimmer Lederberg Trust     Website Terms of Use