I laugh and cry to gain concern.
Oh boy, I’ve never loved a man
For more than two years and a half;
Like treacherous Mab, I always plan
The ending act, the bitter laugh,
The parting scene, the painful moarn,
The heartquake, earthquake, skyquake roar,
The tears unshed, the words unborn,
The curse unbreathed, the slamming door…
Oh Gods, ye sacred and ye great!
Oh Cyprid sweet in pearly shell!
Do teach this boy to separate
Wise mortal woman from yourself!
Break down the apparition wraught,
Don’t make me go through inward change!
Just leave me to my happy lot:
To choose, or drop, or to revenge.
Child, do not treat me like I be
The Highest Being shaping lives!
Oh boy, and don’t you realize
That you’re thus shaping slave of me?
My faithful youth, I feel like caught
In silken net by gentle hand;
For human can betray his God,
And God just can’t betray his man.
How overwhelming, strange, and plain!
My loyal Knight has fallen in Love.
Who could believe I’d feel the pain
When he embraced that gentle dove?
When he pursued that cunning nude,
Who could believe I would be hurt?..
I do not play the harp or fute,
So let my violin now be heard.
And every soul that knows me well,
Knows well the passion of my will!
Same tune Orpheus played in hell
Descending down Elysium hill.
Ambitious, arrogant, and blind,
How dare you come before my eyes?
Just spare me of your sharp replies;
I dwell the world you’ve left behind.
Take your Martini and cigar,
Keep your guitar and hold your sword.
Now you’re experienced, brave, and taught,
I’ve made of you the one you are.
I’ve been a farmer to the weed;
I’ve played a priest throughout three shifts;
And who has made your shape complete?
And who has kindled all your gifts?
Who has revealed your power of thought?
Who’s welcomed every grandious plan?
Who’s taught you to behave, and court,
And love a girl, and be a man?
I combed your hair and gave you bread,
Taught you to sing when you’re in grief,
To weave the rhymes, and to forget,
And to respect, and to forgive!
You offered me your hand and heart;
I knew you boasting, lying, mad,
I saw you struggling, crying, sad,
I heard you swear we’d never part.
You broke your word, but I will not
Deprive you of my helping hand.
For human can betray his God,
Yet God just can’t betray his man.
Он, сидя в кресле у камина,
Письмом задумчиво играл.
Шотландский вечер тучи гнал,
Вился вуалью вечер длинный;
В затишье бархатной гостиной
Огонь трещал и обмирал.
Письмо гласило: «Господину
Джакомо Россо, в замок О.».
Свивался в тучу вечер длинный,
То спал, то пел брегет старинный,
Луна металась высоко.
И призрак, житель Южной башни,
Король кровавых дней вчерашних,
Неслышно с галереи плыл;
Скользнул, снимая меч свой страшный,
В овал гостиной – и застыл.
В письме стояло: «Друг Джакомо,
Оставь печальный свой приют.
Твоё несчастье мне знакомо,
Но по ушедшим слез не льют
По стольку лет, вдали от дома;
Вернись к друзьям в страну твою!
Абруцци шёлковое небо
И ток фалернского вина
Печали утолят сполна.
Давно, давно ты с нами не был!
Год траура испив до дна,
Очнись, веселье – не вина!
Нам жизнь для радости дана.
Жена твоя погребена,
Возврата нет, его не требуй!
Да снийдет в сердце тишина.
Красою итальянских дев
Спасен ты будешь, друг любезный!
Камзол