Rima LIII
Gustavo Adolfo Bécquer
The dark swallows will return again
to hang their nests from your balcony,
again will their wings beat softly on your windowpane,
calling playfully.
But those that paused for a moment in their flight
to see your beauty and my happiness,
those that learned to sing our names...
they... will not return!
Thick clusters of honeysuckle, to your garden will return,
lovelier than ever,
climbing the mud-brick walls, in afternoon,
their perfumed flowers opened full.
But those that were covered with heavy drops of dew,
which we watched tremble and fall,
like daytime tears...
they... will not return!
Love, again, will return
to sound with burning whispers in your ears;
again, perhaps, will your heart
be roused from languid sleep.
But silent and engrossed and fondly kneeling,
as God before his alter is adored,
as I have loved you dear... be not deluded,
love like this... will not return!