Spanish Poems

Rima XIV. I SAW YOU FOR A BRIEF INSTANT...

I saw you for a brief instant, floating before my eyes
the sight of her eyes took hold in me
like the dark stain rimmed with fire
that floats and blind when looking at the sun.

Wherever I look
I behold again her flaming pupils,
but I don't find you, you are
your eyes, nothing more.

From the corner of my bedroom I see them
shining fantastically wild;
when I sleep I feel them raise,
wide open, staring at me.

I know that by night the will-of-the-wisp
leads the wayfarer to his death;
I am drawn by your eyes,
drawn, yet I do not know whereto.

Translated by Guia K. Monti

RHYME XIV. I SAW YOU FOR AN INSTANT...

I saw you for an instant, and, floating before my eyes,
the image of your eyes remained,
like the dark spot, bordered in fire,
that floats and blinds if I look at the sun.

Wherever I fix my gaze
it turns to see your pupils blaze;
but I do not find you; only your glance:
just eyes, yours, nothing more.

From the corner of my bedroom I watch them
let loose a fantastic light;
when I sleep I feel they are
hanging wide open over me.

I know there are faerie fires at night
that lead a traveler to his death:
I feel pulled by your eyes
but to where they pull me, I know not.

Translated by Howard A. Landman

RHYME XIV. I SAW YOU FOR AN INSTANT...

I saw you for an instant as if by breezes blown;
The image of your eyes remained imprisoned in my own.
Like dusky blots encircled with fire, that dazzle one
And seems to blind our vision while gazing at the sun.

Relentlessly pursuing wherever I may gaze,
I see their pupils follow me with a devouring blaze;
It is not you, who troubles me, the rest I could ignore;
It is your look, which haunts me, your eyes and nothing more.

In the corner of my alcove with wild disordered stare
I see them glowing, fixed on me in a fantastic glare.
And when I sleep, I feel them hover above and glow,
Awaiting the occasion to lay their victim low.

I've heard of exhalations illuminating gloom,
Which lead the trusting wanderer unto a wretched doom;
I feel myself drawn onward as by an undertow,
But where you eyes will lead me: alas, I do not know.

Translated by Jules Renard

RHYME XIV. I SAW THEE ONCE...

I saw thee once: and there before mine eyes
The image of thine eyes doth ever run;
Like to the dusky spot, berimmed with fire,
That blinding floats when one beholds the sun.

No matter whither I turn my gaze,
Always to I behold thy pupils' flare;
But never do I see thee - 'tis but thy glance;
Just eyes, thine eyes - nothing more is there.

Fitful and fantastical, their gleaming
There in my chamber's corner is descried;
Even while I am sleeping do I feel them
Hovering o'er me, eyes open wide.

I know that there are will-o'-the-wisps that lead
The nighting traveler to his death to go;
I feel myself drawn onward by thine eyes,
But whither they draw me - that I do not know.

Translated by Young Allison