Sonnet I
Without 'tis autumn, the wind beats on the pane
With heavy drops, the leaves high upwards sweep.
You take old letters from a crumpled heap,
And in one hour have lived your life again.
Musing, in this sweet wise the moments creep:
You pray no caller will your door attain;
Better it is when dreary falls the rain
To dream before the fire, awaiting sleep.
And thus alone, reclining in my chair,
The fairy Dochia's tale comes to my mind
While round me haze is gath'ring in the air.
Then softly down the passage footsteps wind,
Faint, sound of rustling silk upon the stair...
And now my eyes cold, tapering fingers bind.
Sonnet II
The years have sped, and time still swiftly flies
Since that first sacred hour in which we met;
But how we loved I can no more forget,
Sweet wonder with cold hands and such big eyes.
O, come again! Your words inspire me yet,
While your soft gaze upon me gently lies,
That 'neath its ray new life in me shall rise,
And you new songs upon my lyre beget.
When you come near to me you little know
How soothed my heart is then, as though with balm,
As when some star does in the heavens show;
Your childish smile so full of tender charm
Has power to quench this life drawn out in woe
And fill my eyes with fire, my soul with calm.
Sonnet III
When e'en the inner voice of thought is still,
And does some sacred chant my soul endear,
'Tis then I call to thee; but will you hear?
Will from the floating mists your form distill?
Will night its tender power of wonder rear
And your great, peaceful eyes their light fulfil,
That of the rays that bygone hours spill
To me as in a dream you do appear?
But come to me... come near, come still more near...
Smiling you bend to gaze into my face
While does your sigh gentle love make clear.
Upon my eyes I feel your lashes' trace,
O love, for ever lost, for ever dear,
To know the aching thrill of your embrace!
(Transl. by Corneliu
M. Popescu) |