Laura is a beautiful, mysterious muse. Laura is a goddess, a star, an unrivaled enchantress. Both men and women fall under her thrall.
Petrarch's muse is suspected to be the mysterious Laura de Noves (1310–1348), who was the wife of Count
Hugues de Sade (ancestor of Marquis de Sade). Petrarch wrote hundreds of poems dedicated to her.
She is also mentioned in Walter Raleigh's poem, A Vision Upon This Conceit of the Faerie Queen as well as Martin
Farquhar Tupper's poem, Laura (from Petrarch).
"My Laura, my love, I behold in
thine eyes twin daystars that Mercy has given to teach me on
earth to be happy and wise and guide me
triumphant to heaven."