How we cite our quotes: (Line)
Quote #1
[...] listen all of you together
to these my mournful, my last words (12-13)
Just in case you're not sure about the tone of this poem, Petrarch thoughtfully spells it out for you. But don't be concerned about that last line. These really aren't going to be his last words. We know this because he goes on to pen another 240 poems.
Quote #2
If it, indeed, must be my fate,
and Heaven works its ways,
that Love close up these eyes while they still weep,
let grace see my poor body
be buried there among you
and let my soul return to its home naked (14-19)
Yup, he's gone there. When all else fails a miserable lover, he or she has to go for the death fantasy. It may be a poetic convention, but most of us have probably taken this same psychological trip at one point or other.
Quote #3
[...] and—ah, the pity—
to see me there as dust among the stones, Love will
inspire her and she will sigh
so sweetly she will win for me some mercy
and force open the heavens
drying her eyes there with her lovely veil (33-39)
This is the real reward for Petrarch imagining his own death. "Won't she be sorry when I'm gone?" should really be a sanctioned genre for poetry. Petrarch knows that death won't bring him any closer to physical enjoyment of his love. At this point, he'll settle for knowing that Laura has an emotional response to him.