Poetry Explorer


Classic and Contemporary Poetry


TRANSLATION OF A SONNET by ANONYMOUS

First Line: IN THOSE EYES THAT GLISTEN AS IN PITY FOR MY PAIN
Last Line: "ON MY LIPS THE BREATH IS FLEETING - CAN IT, WILL IT LONG REMAIN?"
Subject(s): FATE;PITY; DESTINY;

IN those eyes that glisten as in pity for my pain,
Are they gems, or only dew-drops? Can they, will they long remain?
Why the strength of tyrant beauty thus, with seeming ruth restrain?
Better breathe my last before thee, than in lingering grief remain.

To yon planet, Fate has given every month to wax and wane;
And -- thy world of blushing brightness, -- can it, will it long remain?
Asuf! why in mournful numbers, of thine absence thus complain,
Chance has join'd us, chance has parted! -- nought on earth can long remain.

In the world mayst thou, beloved! live exempt from grief and pain.
On my lips the breath is fleeting -- can it, will it long remain?



Home: PoetryExplorer.net