LOVE'S SECRET


Never seek to tell thy love,
Love that never told can be;
For the gentle wind doth move
Silently, invisibly.

I told my love, I told my love,
I told her all my heart,
Trembling, cold, in ghastly fears.
Ah! she did depart!

Soon after she was gone from me,
A traveler came by,
Silently, invisibly:
He took her with a sigh.



WILLIAM BLAKE (1757 - 1827)

SEGREDO DO AMOR


Indizível o teu amor,
Nem tentes o impossível;
A leve brisa move-se por
Silente e invisível.

Disse meu amor ao meu amor,
Com todo o coração disse,
A tremer frio, horrível temor.
Ah! ela partiu-se!

No instante que me deixou
Passava um viajante,
Invisível e silente
Num suspiro a levou.



(trad. ELSON FRÓES)

THE ANGEL AND THE THIEF


I asked a Thief to steal me a peach
He turned up his eyes.
I asked a lithe lady to li her down
'Holy and Meek' she cries.

As soon as I went an Angel came.
He winked at the Thief and smiled at the dame.

And without one word spoke
Had a peach from the tree
And 'twixt earnest and jest
Enjoyned the lady.



WILLIAM BLAKE (1757 - 1827)

O ANJO AO LADRÃO


Pedi ao Ladrão que um pêssego roubasse
Ele me virou a cara.
Pedi à dócil dama que deitasse
Santa e mansa ela chorou.

Assim que saí um Anjo chegou.
Sorriu à dama e ao Ladrão piscou.

E sem dizer palavra
Teve o pêssego da árvore
E entre grave e grácil
Deleitou a dama.



(trad. ELSON FRÓES)