Petrarch,
Canzoniere — Poem IV
(14th century)
“ Who launch'd the spheres, gave sun and moon to shine, And brightest wonders the dark void to fill; On earth who came the Scriptures to maintain, Which for long years the truth had buried yet, Took John and Peter from the fisher's net And gave to each his part in the heavenly reign. He for his birth fair Rome preferr'd not then, But lowly Bethlehem; thus o'er proudest state He ever loves humility to raise. Now rises from small spot like sun again, Whom Nature hails, the place grows bright and great Which birth so heavenly to our earth displays. ”
