He was endowed with a persuasive and forcible eloquence.

His conversation and letters displayed the amiableness of his sincere character.

He gained the first place in my affections, which he ever afterwards retained." Such is the portrait which our poet gives of James Colonna.

A faithful and wise friend is among the most precious gifts of fortune; but, as friendships cannot wholly feed our affections, the heart of Petrarch, at this ardent age, was destined to be swayed by still tenderer feelings.
He had nearly finished his twenty-third year without having ever seriously known the passion of love.

In that year he first saw Laura.
Concerning this lady, at one time, when no life of Petrarch had been yet written that was not crude and inaccurate, his biographers launched into the wildest speculations.