Petrarch's Penitential Psalms and Prayers

The first English translation of Petrarchs Psalms and Prayers provides an intimate look at the personal devotions of the Father of Humanism. Throughout Petrarchs work, there is an undercurrent of tension between the secular and the sacred. In this captivating new translation of the Psalms and the Prayers, Demetrio Yocum turns to a previously overlooked area of Petrarchan studies to open a window on the scholars innermost religious thoughts. Petrarch's Psalms and Prayers are intricately crafted poetic and devotional works, presented in facing Latin/English format. In his extensive introduction and commentary, Yocum situates these bold, original compositions within their historical, literary, and religious contexts, deftly drawing connections to classical texts, the Bible and the writings of the church fathers, and Petrarchs own life, work, and poetics. This remarkable first-ever English translation of the Psalms and Prayers helps to reconcile Petrarchs classical humanism with his devout, deeply personal Christianity.