http://www.loc.gov/mods/v3 http://www.loc.gov/standards/mods/v3/mods-3-2.xsd
Petrarch's Canzoniere stands as one of the greatest and most influential collections of love poetry ever written. Yet it is far more than a series of sonnets dedicated to the beauty of a woman. As the sequence unfolds, the songbook becomes a profound exploration of the poet's internal conflict-his intense earthly desires for Laura and his deep spiritual longings for divine grace. What truly distinguishes Canzoniere is Petrarch's radical reverence for Laura, an affection that transcends the conventions of his time and establishes him as one of the first modern men of the Renaissance. In this translation, renowned poet A.M. Juster preserves the original text's formal elegance, honoring Petrarch through his meticulous use of rhyme and meter, while also capturing the profound religious and philosophical undertones that imbue the work. Unlike earlier interpretations that framed the Canzoniere primarily as an exemplar of "troubadour" poetry, this version highlights its classical roots and theological depth, offering a translation that brings the richness of Petrarch's vision closer to the original than any before it.
Petrarch ; translated by A.M. Juster ; introduction by Andrew Frisardi.