Rima XXIII

by Gustavo Adolfo Bécquer
translated by Howard A. Landman


Por una mirada, un mundo,
por una sonrisa, un cielo,
por un beso... ¡yo no sé
que te diera por un beso!

For a glance, the world,
for a smile, the heavens,
for a kiss... I don't know
what I could give you for a kiss!



Translations by others:


For a look, a world;
For a smile, a heaven;
For a kiss - I know not
What I would give thee for a kiss!

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

I'd give a world for just one glance from thee;
A heaven for a smile were paltry fee;
While for a kiss, - I do not know, what I
Would for a kiss consider equity.

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



For a glance, a world;
For a smile, heaven's bliss;
For a kiss . . . I know not
What I'd give thee for a kiss!

Translated by Young Allison
Copyright ©1924 by Young Allison

For one look ... I would give my world,
For one smile ... give all my bliss,
For one kiss ... I do not know
What I would give thee for one kiss.

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 June 12