Scève, Maurice

Scève, Maurice (mōrēs` sĕv), c.1510–c.1564, French poet. While studying at Avignon he discovered the tomb of Laura, to whom Petrarch directed many of his sonnets. Scève was the leader of the so-called Lyons school of poets, which was the first to bring the influence of the Italian literary renaissance into France. He is best known for his own poems, including Delie, object de plus haulte vertu [Delie, object of highest virtue] (1544), a long and sometimes obscure celebration of courtly love in 10-line stanzas. It was supposedly inspired by the young poetess Pernette du Guiller, who died in 1545, and contains many passages of fresh beauty and charm. His other works include celebrations of rustic life.