European Elegies/Spring/"As the rose blossoms on her vernal spray"
75.“AS THE ROSE BLOSSOMS ON HER VERNAL SPRAY”
As the rose blossoms on her vernal spray
In the first flower of her beauty new,
Rivalling the heavens with her living hue
When watered with the dew at dawn of day;
In the first flower of her beauty new,
Rivalling the heavens with her living hue
When watered with the dew at dawn of day;
Her petals breathing grace and loveliness
Perfume the garden-walks and orchard air,
But suddenly she dies in wan despair,
Extinguished by rough rain or sun's excess.
Perfume the garden-walks and orchard air,
But suddenly she dies in wan despair,
Extinguished by rough rain or sun's excess.
So in the freshness of your maidenhood,
While heaven and earth smiled in your happy eyes,
Fate crushed you down. Now at your grave I've stood
While heaven and earth smiled in your happy eyes,
Fate crushed you down. Now at your grave I've stood
To bring as tearful tribute of past hours
This wreath of roses, that there may arise
Even from your dead lips the breath of flowers.
This wreath of roses, that there may arise
Even from your dead lips the breath of flowers.
From the French of Pierre Ronsard.