Rima LXXXIX

by Gustavo Adolfo Bécquer
translated by H. Landman


Black phantoms,
     shadowy clouds,
flee before the sparkle
     of the divine light.
That holy light,
girl of black eyes,
     is hope.

In the heat of its rays
     my immense faith
grapples with disdain
     undiminished.
In this undertaking,
if great is the martyrdom,
     greater is the prize.

And if you still shun demonstration
     soul of snow,
if you still don't desire me,
     I don't need your desire:
my love is a rock
on which the waves of suffering
     break timidly.

Negros fantasmas,
nubes sombrías,
huyen ante el destello
     de la luz divina.
     Esa luz santa,
niña de negros ojos,
     es la esperanza.

Al calor de sus rayos
     mi fe gigante
contra desdenes lucha
     sin amenguarse.
     en este empeño
es, si grande el martirio,
     mayor el premio.

Y si aún muestras esquiva
     alma de nieve,
si aún no me quisieras,
     yo no he de quererte:
     mi amor es roca
donde se estrellan tímidas
     del mal las olas.


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Copyright ©2001,2003 Howard A. Landman / howard@polyamory.org
Created 2001 December 13
Last updated 2003 August 16