Rima XI

by Gustavo Adolfo Bécquer
translated by Howard A. Landman


- Yo soy ardiente, yo soy morena,
   yo soy el símbolo de la pasión;
   de ansia de goces mi alma está llena;
   ¿a mí me buscas? -No es a ti; no

- Mi frente es pálida; mis trenzas de oro
   puedo brindarte dichas sin fin;
   yo de ternura guardo un tesoro;
   ¿a mí me llamas? -No; no es a ti.

- Yo soy un sueño, un imposible,
   vano fantasma de niebla y luz;
   soy incorpórea, soy intangible;
   no puedo amarte. -¡Oh, ven; ven tú!

- I am burning, I am brown,
   I am the very symbol of passion;
   my soul is full of yearnings for pleasure;
   you look for me? - It is not for you; no

- My brow is pale; my gold braids
   can offer endless delight;
   I guard a treasure of tenderness;
   you call for me? - No; it is not for you.

- I am a dream, an impossible,
   unreal ghost of fog and light;
   I am incorporeal, I am intangible;
   I cannot love you. - Oh, come; come now!



Translations by others:


I am ardent, I am brown,
Me the fiery passions crown;
I am eager to decoy
Thee into realms of joy,
Do I please they fancy? - Speak!
- Nay; it is not thee I seek.

Delicate my brow and fair,
Wreathed with coils of golden hair;
And I guard a limitless
Treasure-trove of tenderness.
Do I please they fancy? - Speak!
- Nay; it is not thee I seek.

Like a lightning-flash I gleam
or a wild, phantastic dream;
Bodiless, impossible
Fleeting and intangible;
No one could my feelings move!
- O, then come! - Be thou my love!

Translated by Jules Renard
Copyright ©1908 by Richard G. Badger

"I am dark-tinted and ardent as fire,
 I am the symbol of fervency;
 My heart runneth over with joyous desire.
 Searchest thou for me?" - No; not for thee.

"Pale is my brow and golden my tresses;
 Endless felicity I can bestow;
 I guard a treasure of rare tendernesses.
 Callest thou for me?" - Not for thee; no.

"I am a dream, I am an impossible
 Fantasy hollow of luster and gloom;
 I am impalpable, I am intangible;
 I cannot love thee." - Oh, come thou; come!
Translated by Young Allison
Copyright ©1924 by Young Allison



"I am ardent, I am dark,
Symbol of passion, ecstasy,
Seekst thou me?"
"Nay, not thee."

"Forehead pale, in my hands,
Endless gifts, a treasury
Callst thou me?"
"Nay, not thee."

"I am dreams of cloud and light,
Intangible, a phantasy,
I cannot love thee!"
"Come to me!"

Translated by Rupert Croft-Cooke
Copyright ©1927 by Rupert Croft-Cooke


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Copyright ©2001-2004 Howard A. Landman / howard@polyamory.org
Created 2001 November 18
Last updated 2004 May 20