 | The Alhambra and Other Poems |  |
61
Aliquid Amari
I heard a sailor singing, as he leaned against the shrouds;
The ocean fled beneath him and above him flew the clouds;
And the breezes moaned in answer, and the voices of the main:
“However happy Love may be, the core of Love is pain.”
The ocean fled beneath him and above him flew the clouds;
And the breezes moaned in answer, and the voices of the main:
“However happy Love may be, the core of Love is pain.”
The breezes learnt the burden, and murmured to the land;
The sailor's wife was sitting in her cottage by the strand;
And when she heard them whisper, her heart replied again:
“However happy Love may be, the core of Love is pain.”
The sailor's wife was sitting in her cottage by the strand;
And when she heard them whisper, her heart replied again:
“However happy Love may be, the core of Love is pain.”
They left the woman weeping and hurried to the town,
Where gallant lads and ladies were walking up and down;
To each they told their message, and all confessed it plain:
“However happy Love may be, the core of Love is pain.”
Where gallant lads and ladies were walking up and down;
To each they told their message, and all confessed it plain:
“However happy Love may be, the core of Love is pain.”
62
Then hearken, all ye lovers! Be mindful, when ye meet,
To promise nought or little ere this proverb ye repeat;
Ye surely shall have proof thereof; ye shall not speak in vain:
“However happy Love may be, the core of Love is pain.”
To promise nought or little ere this proverb ye repeat;
Ye surely shall have proof thereof; ye shall not speak in vain:
“However happy Love may be, the core of Love is pain.”
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