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Showing posts from August, 2009

Romance

Romance, who loves to nod and sing, With drowsy head and folded wing, Among the green leaves as they shake Far down within some shadowy lake, To me a painted paroquet Hath been- a most familiar bird- Taught me my alphabet to say- To lisp my very earliest word While in the wild wood I did lie, A child- with a most knowing eye. Of late, eternal Condor years So shake the very Heaven on high With tumult as they thunder by, I have no time for idle cares Through gazing on the unquiet sky. And when an hour with calmer wings Its down upon my spirit flings- That little time with lyre and rhyme To while away- forbidden things! My heart would feel to be a crime Unless it trembled with the strings. _____________________ Edgar Allen Poe

The Unmarried Mother

_______________________France Prešeren_______________ What was the need of you, little one, My baby dear, my darling son, To me - a girl, a foolish young thing, A mother without a wedding ring? My father cursed and beat me, My mother in tears would entreat me; My friends would blush and pass me by, Strangers pointed at me on the sly. And he who was my own true love - Your father by the will above - He wanders God knows how far from here. Shamed because of us, poor dear. What was the need of you, little one, My baby dear, my darling son? But whether there was need or no, With all my heart I love you so. There seem to open azure skies Whene'er I look into your eyes; And when on me you sweetly smile, All I've suffered is gone for a while. May He, by whom the birds are fed, Joy and blessings on you shed! Whether there was need or no, With all my heart I love you so. _____________________________________ The End*The Unmarried Mother* Translated by: Janko Lavrin