I little thought that I would learn to die;
Forever young, enveloped in my cloak,
My dreaming eyes I lifted to the star
Of solitude.
When of a sudden you stood in my way,
On, anguish you, of nameless suffering sweet...
And to the dregs I dank the draught of death
Unpardoning.
Miserably I burn alive like Nessus,
Or Hercules wrapped in his poisoned cloak;
The fire in me the boundless sea itself
Could never quench.
By my own dreams consumed, I endless wail;
At my own pile I am consumed in flame,
Shall I then luminous one day return
As does the Phoenix?
Tormenting eyes but vanish from my way,
Come to my breast again sad unconcern;
That I may die in peace at last, myself
Give back to me.
(Translated by Corneliu M. Popescu)
Mihai Eminescu
http://www.poemhunter.com/poem/ode-in-antique-metre/
