This is a translation of the Italian poem "Rime 140" by Petrarch. The following link - shows the original form and two translations - each poem is different. They are built around the conceit of love as a warrior or knight, who, in the octave, makes bold to declare himself through a blush, and is promptly rebuked by the beloved; the sestet finds him running away to hide, leaving the poet to reflect on his plight as a faithful servant of a cowardly master. By attributing the offensive, cowardly, and ridiculous behavior to a third-party “love,” he appears to be distancing himself from an embarrassing situation. He can condescendingly paint this personified love as a blustery miles glorious one moment and a coward the next, while at the same
Its interpretation, origins and influences continue to be a matter of critical debate.
Stages of courtly love
(Adapted from Barbara Tuchman[43]) * Attraction to the lady, usually via eyes/glance * Worship of the lady from afar * Declaration of passionate devotion * Virtuous rejection by the lady * Renewed wooing with oaths of virtue and eternal fealty * Moans of approaching death from unsatisfied desire (and other physical manifestations of lovesickness) * Heroic deeds of valor which win the lady's heart * Consummation of the secret love * Endless adventures and subterfuges avoiding detection

Though the love that masters him may betray him, the poet proclaims in “Love that doth reign and live within my heart” that he will remain faithful to the end, for “[s]weet is the death that taketh end by love.”

A comparison of the themes of Thomas Wyatt and Henry Howard
A comparison of the themes of Thomas Wyatt and Henry Howard Both Henry Howard and Thomas Wyatt made significant contributions towards the