European Elegies/Autumn (1)/Autumn lament
17.AUTUMN LAMENT
Gone is the grace of summer! Gone at last, Its laughter lies behind me.Gone is the summer: that its grace is past Mountain and vale remind me.
Gone is the song of summer; hushed and still Is birds' melodious chanting;No more brave madrigals adown the hill The shadowy dells are haunting.Only a far-off echo seems to thrill Forsaken glades enchantingWhere in July beside the forest rill Our valiant hearts were vaunting.
Gone are the loves of summer, and the morn When we went sweetly friendedAnd gaily by thatched hut and hillside thorn Our white-fleeced flocks we tended.And as the deepening autumn shall adorn The slopes with snow, transcendedShall be my autumn woe, my heart forlorn Know even autumn ended.
From the Basque of Tene.