Spanish Poems

RHYME VI. LIKE A FRESH BREEZE...

Like a fresh breeze that dispels
a dark battlefield's bloody smells,
laden with harmonies and incense
in the vague night's silence;

symbol of tenderness and pain,
through the English bard's horrible play,
moves sweet Ophelia, reason devoured
singing songs and picking flowers.

translated by Howard A. Landman

RHYME VI. LIKE THE BREEZE THAT DRIES THE BLOOD...

Like the breeze that dries the blood
Upon the darkening battle-field,
Laden with perfumes and sweet sounds,
In the vague silence of the night;

Symbol of tenderness and grief,
The English bard in awful verse
The sweet Ophelia paints, who, mad,
Passes with flowers and with song.

Translated by Owen Innsly

RHYME VI. AS WANDERS O'ER A DARKENED FIELD...

As wanders o'er a darkened field of blood,
Refreshing to the sense, a gentle breeze
In night and silence, with a grateful flood
Of perfumes fraught and pleasing harmonies,

So we may see the sweet Ophelia pass
Within the British poet's awful play,
Symbolical of grief and tenderness,
With songs and strewing flowers on her way.

Translated by Jules Renard

RHYME VI. LIKE TO THE BREEZE THAT TOUCHES BLOOD...

Like to the breeze that touches blood
Upon the somber field of fray
And through the silences of night
Both harmonies and fragrance sows;

Symbol of pain and tenderness -
In the English bard's direful play
Sweet Ophelia, bereft of reason,
Singing and strewing blossoms goes.

Translated by Young Allison