"The Rimas" by Gustavo Adolfo Bécquer (Full text in English)

XXXI- XL

XXXI

Our passion was a tragic comedy

In whose incongruous and grotesque plot

The serious vied with grim absurdity

And tears with smiles were tangled in a knot.

Of all the features in our history

This seemed the worst: that after all was done. The tears and smiles had touched her evenly,

I gained a heritage of tears alone.

XXXII

Enveloped in her beauty, she passed by,

I let her pass in graceful dignity; Nor turned to glance at her with wistful eye,

Though something whispered to me: "This is she,

Who hath re-joined the eve with morning's light Í I do not know the underlying cause;

I know, though, that in one brief summer-night. Both twilights were united and "It was."

XXXIII

It was an argument of words alone. Yet you and I will never quite agree

As a result of our perplexity Who should in justice call the fault his own.

It is unfortunate, that love has not A diaionary, wherein one might sec,

When pride is merely pride and when it ought Tu he construed as proper dignity.

XXXIV

Wordless she crosses and in every limb

Breathes silent harmony; her foot-steps sound And, soundini;, they recall the measured round

And rhythmic cadence of a volant hymn.

As leisurely her eyes half-opened turn. Those eyes as clear as day within her face, The earth and sky as much as they embrace,

With fresher lustre in her pupils burn.

She laughs; her laughter has the rippling notes Of flowing waters, which the hearers bless;

She weeps; each tear a poem, which promotes An endless flood of soothing tenderness.

Possessed is she of perfume and of light. Of pleasing lines and colors fair to see;

She has the form, which the desires invite And the expression, " fount of poetry.

That she is stupid ? " Bahl While silence shields That dark enigma, I 'II maintain: to me

There is more value in what she conceals. Than in another girl's loquacity.

XXXV

I 'm not amazed at thy forgetfulness.

I marvelled much more, that thou couldst profess

Affection for me, even for a day;