| Samuel Waddington, comp. The Sonnets of Europe. 1888. | | | | Two Roses | | By Francesco Petrarca (1304–1374) |
| | Translated by Charles Bagot Cayley
TWO roses, gathered with their dews in heaven | |
| (’Twas almost yesterday, the first of May), | |
| Between two lovers, oh rare gift! were given, | |
| By one who long and wisely walked Love’s way. | |
| With pleasant words and with a smile that even | 5 |
| Might teach a wild man gracious love—a ray | |
| So soft and brilliant, that new colours driven | |
| Over the cheeks of both I saw straightway— | |
| The sun amongst all lovers, thus he said, | |
| Smiling and sighing, views not such a pair; | 10 |
| And then he clasped them both, and turned him thence. | |
| Thus did they both his words and roses share; | |
| This filled my harassed heart with joy and dread: | |
| Oh dainty day, oh happiest eloquence! | | | | |
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