Rima XLII. Cuando me lo contaron sentí el frío...
Cuando me lo contaron sentí el frío
de una hoja de acero en las entrañas;
me apoyé contra el muro, y un instante
la conciencia perdí de dónde estaba.
Cayó sobre mi espíritu la noche,
en ira y en piedad se anegó el alma.
¡Y entonces comprendí por qué se llora,
y entonces comprendí por qué se mata!
Pasó la nube de dolor.... Con pena
logré balbucear breves palabras...
¿Quién me dio la noticia?... Un fiel amigo...
Me hacía un gran favor... Le di las gracias.
Rhyme XLII. When they told me, it felt like ice...
When they told me, it felt like ice
like a steel blade in the guts.
I leant to the wall and, for that moment,
had no idea where I was.
Night fell on my mind.
Rage and piety drowned out my soul.
I understood then why it sobs, the night,
I understood then why it destroys itself.
The cloud of pain went by.... painfully
I managed to stammer forth a few words.
Who brought me this news? A real friend...
and he did me a good turn. I thanked him.
RHYME XLII. WHEN THEY INFORMED ME...
ResponderEliminarWhen they informed me I felt the cold
of a steel blade in my entrails,
I leaned against the wall, and for a moment
lost consciousness of where I was.
Night fell over my spirit,
my soul drowned itself in rage and mercy
And it was revealed to me why men cry
And I understood at once why men murder!
The cloud of sorrow passed... with pain
I managed to stammer a few words...
Who notified me?... A faithful friend
did me a great favor!... My thanks to him.
Translated by H. Landman