Rima XX

by Gustavo Adolfo Bécquer
translated by Howard A. Landman


Sabe, si alguna vez tus labios rojos
quema invisible atmósfera abrasada,
que al alma que hablar puede con los ojos,
también puede besar con la mirada.

Know, if at times your red lips
are scorched by an invisible blast of air,
that the soul which can speak through the eyes,
can also kiss with a glance.



Translations by others:


Know, if at times thy ruby lips
An unseen fire doth burn -
The soul that with the eyes can speak,
Can just as well kiss with a look.

Translated by Owen Innsly
Copyright ©1882 by A. Williams & Company

Know thou, that when at times thy red lips sear,
Like parching fires, the unseen atmosphere,
That souls, whose eyes can speak, may too, perchance,
Kiss with a glance.

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



If sometimes thy ruby lips are seared
By an invisible burning breath, then know
That the soul which with the eyes is able to speak
Can also with a glance a kiss bestow.

Translated by Young Allison
Copyright ©1924 by Young Allison

Know, if you feel with surprise
A kiss come out of the air,
That folk who can talk with the eyes
Can also kiss with a stare.

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 22
Last updated 2004 May 26