Poetry Archives

(From the Spanish of Placido)


Enough of love! Let break its every hold!
  Ended my youthful folly! for I know
  That, like the dazzling, glister-shedding snow,
Celia, thou art beautiful, but cold.
I do not find in thee that warmth which glows,
  Which, all these dreary days, my heart has sought,
  That warmth without which love is lifeless, naught
More than a painted fruit, a waxen rose.

Such love as thine, scarce can it bear love’s name,
  Deaf to the pleading notes of his sweet lyre,
A frank, impulsive heart I wish to claim,
  A heart that blindly follows its desire.
I wish to embrace a woman full of flame,
  I want to kiss a woman made of fire.