And almond trees in bloom, and oleanders,
Or a wide purple sea
Of plain-land gorgeous with a lovely poison—
The evil Darling pea:—
If I am tired I call on these to help me
To dream—and dawn-lit skies,
Lemon and pink, or faintest, coolest lilac,
Float on my soothéd eyes.
There is no night so black but you shine through it,
There is no morn so drear,
O Colour of the World, but I can find you,
Most tender, pure, and clear.
Thanks be to God who gave this gift of colour
Which who shall seek shall find;
Thanks be to God who gives me strength to hold it,
Though I were stricken blind.
NON PENSO A LEI
(Canzone Ferrandini)
When I pass by below your window, singing,
Never by any chance I think of you;
And jealousy your hard heart may be wringing—
I go that way because I’ve work to do.
And if you think, beneath the gay voice throbbing,
You hear the sound of one in sorrow sobbing—
I sing thus since my mood is thus. Believe me,
Madame, no hopeless love of you shall grieve me.
If they have said that I look pale and worn,
Time is at fault, not any woman’s scorn.
If they have said I daily seek Death’s doors,
What’s that to you? Am I a love of yours?
But if I see you smiling at Gigi that sweet way,
Then I go to the galleys and you to churchyard clay.