
Kochanowski - Laments
LAMENTS - BY - JAN KOCHANOWSKI - VERSIFIED BY - DOROTHEA PRALL
INTRODUCTORY NOTE
LAMENT I
LAMENT II
LAMENT III
LAMENT IV
LAMENT V
LAMENT VI
LAMENT VII
A striking collection of lyrical elegies, this work channels a father’s profound grief after the premature loss of his young daughter. Through nineteen deeply personal poems, the poet weaves his sorrow with reflections on mortality, the fleeting nature of life, and the clash between human frailty and the desire for meaning. The verses open with a raw, pleading call to ancient mourners, setting a tone that balances personal lament with broader philosophical questioning.
The poems draw on classical references and the stoic teachings of Cicero and Seneca, yet they are softened by a Christian undercurrent of hope and trust. The language, honed by Renaissance learning, remains intimate and accessible, allowing listeners to feel the timeless ache of a parent’s love. Even centuries later, the heartfelt sincerity and universal humanity of these laments continue to resonate, offering both comfort and contemplation to anyone who has known loss.
Language
en
Duration
~27 minutes (26K characters)
Publisher of text edition
Project Gutenberg
Credits
Produced by Jimmy O'Regan (Produced from images generously made available by Columbia University Libraries)
Release date
2008-11-06
Rights
Public domain in the USA.
Subjects

1530–1584
A leading voice of the Polish Renaissance, this poet helped raise Polish to the level of the great literary languages of Europe. His work ranges from graceful classical verse to deeply personal laments that still feel vivid centuries later.
View all books
by Jorge Manrique