Ghea i Foc.

Antologie de poezie anglo-saxon

Edmund Spenser (1552-1599)
Figur major a literaturii engleze din perioada Renaterii, Spenser s-a nscut n East Smithfield,
Londra, ntr-o familie de negustori. Urmeaz cursuri universitare la Pembroke College, Cambridge,
unde intr n contact cu poetul Gabriel Harvey. n 1578, ajunge secretarul episcopului de
Rochester, John Young. n 1579, se cstorete cu Machabyas Childe. n 1580, intr n serviciul
Lordului Arthur Grey de Wilton, mpreun cu care particip la campanii militare n Irlanda. Zece
ani mai trziu, ncearc s intre n anturajul curii Elisabetei I, dar tentativa eueaz, din pricina
unor divergene cu secretarul acesteia, William Cecil. Ca atare, se ntoarce n Irlanda, stabilindu-se
la castelul Kilcoman. n 1594, moare Machabyas Childe i se cstorete cu Elizabeth Boyle. n
1598, castelul su este incendiat de rebelii irlandezi i revine la Londra, unde moare un an mai
trziu, fiind nmormntat la Westminster Abbey.
Spenser se remarc n special prin inovaiile sale prozodice (strofa spenserian 1 ), survenite pe
fundalul sintetizrii unor influene venite dinspre poezia roman clasic (Vergiliu, Ovidiu),
Cntarea Cntrilor, texte liturgice, Francesco Petrarca,Lodovico Ariosto, Geoffrey Chaucer, Thomas
Wyatt, Phillip Sidney i Pleiada francez (Pierre de Ronsard, Joachim du Bellay). Discursul poetic
evalueaz dinspre un caracter pastoral nspre un neoplatonism presrat cu tente cabalistice.

Opera
Iambicum trimetrum tratat de prozodie
Calendarul pstorului (The Shepheardes Calender, 1579)- sonete pastorale
Plngeri, coninnd cteva mici poeme asupra deertciunii lumii (Complaints, Containing
sundrie small Poemes of the Worlds Vanitie, 1590)- elegii, meditaii asupra istoriei
Daphnaida (1592)- elegie n onoarea contesei Douglas Howard
Amoretti i Epithalamion (1595)- poeme de dragoste dedicate soiei sale, Elizabeth Boyle
Colin Clouts se-ntoarce acas (Colin Clouts Come Home Againe,1595)-eclog pastoral
Astrophel. Elegie pastoral la moartea celui mai nobil i valoros cavaler Phillip Sidney
(Astrophel.A Pastoral Elegy upon the death of the most noble and valorous Knight
Phillip Sidney, 1595)
Patru Imnuri (Fowre Hymnes, 1596): n onoarea Dragostei, n onoarea Frumuseii, n
onoarea Dragostei Cereti, n onoarea Frumuseii Cereti-- dedicate curii de la Greenwich
Prothalamion (1596)- cntec de nunt scris ocazia cstoriei celor 2 fiice ale ducelui de
Somerset
Criasa Znelor (The Faerie Queene, 1590-1596)- roman cavaleresc n versuri dedicat
Eliasabetei I
Babel, mprteasa Rsritului (Babel, Empress of the East, 1599)- poem introductiv ce
prefaeaz lucrarea lui Lewis Lewkenor , Bogia Veneiei (The Commonwealth of Venice)
Dou Cntece despre Nestatornicie (Two Cantos of Mutabilitie, 1611 (postum)
O privire asupra situaiei actuale a Irlandei (A vewe of the present state of Irelande,
1633(postum)- analiz a strii sociale i politice din Irlanda epocii sale.

Fire and Ice ( Amoretti XXX) Ghea i foc

1
Pentametru iambic + final hexametru iambic; rim ABABBCBCC
MY love is like to ice, and I to fire;
How comes it then that this her cold so great
Is not dissolvd through my so hot desire,
But harder grows the more I her entreat?
Or how comes it that my exceeding heat
Is not delayd by her heart-frozen cold;
But that I burn much more in boiling sweat,
And feel my flames augmented manifold!
What more miraculous thing may be told,
That fire, which all things melts, should harden ice; Ca focul, ce mistuie orice, gheaa s-ntreasc ;
And ice, which is congeald with senseless cold,
Should kindle fire by wonderful device!
Such is the power of love in gentle mind,
That it can alter all the course of kind.
Christopher Marlowe (1564-1593)
Iubirea-i ghea, ca s-i dau foc;
Altfel cum de-i aa rece
C nu-mi topete dorina deloc,
Orict de cald o-a preface?
Sau cum de poate-ntrece
O inim de ghea peste cuptor;
Cu ct o ard mai mult, se face tot mai rece
Simind profund tria flcrilor!
Ce lucru poate fi mai uimitor,
i gheaa, pstrat de rceala simurilor,
Focul cu minunata-i dorin s-mblnzeasc!
Asta-i dragostea din inimi cinstite
Ce prin tria ei schimb legi stabilite.
Poet i dramaturg elisabetan, considerat de exegei precursorul lui William Shakespeare ( dup
unii, ar fi chiar un alter ego de-al lui2). A avut o personalitate controversat, strnind deseori
critici din partea contemporanilor si, care i-au imputat chiar acuzaii de ateism. De altfel, s-au
esut numeroase poveti n jurul lui i a morii sale, cea mai cunoscut fiind asasinarea lui ntr-o
tavern. A excelat n domeniul tragediei ( opere precum Dido, regina Cartaginei (1586), Tamerlan
cel Mare (1588), Evreul din Malta (1589), Edward II (1592), Tragica istorie a doctorului Faust
(1593), Masacrul din Paris (1592), Domnia desfrului (atribuit postum, 1567). Se pare c-ar fi i
autorul celebrului madrigal The Passionate Shepherd to His Love ( Pasionatul cioban iubirii sale,
1599).

The Passionate Shepherd to His Love Pasionatul cioban iubirii sale

Come live with me and be my love, Vino la mine, fii iubita mea,
And we will all the pleasures prove, i-o s gustm toat plcerea,
That Valleys, groves, hills, and fields, Ce o aduc cmpii, dealuri i vi adnci,
Woods, or steepy mountain yields. Crnguri,pduri i muntoase stnci.

And we will sit upon the Rocks, i-o s stm pe stnci impuntoare,
Seeing the Shepherds feed their flocks, Privind ciobanii ce hrnesc mioare,
By shallow Rivers to whose falls Prin ruri line, ce curg n valuri,
Melodious birds sing Madrigals. Duioase psri cnt madrigaluri.

And I will make thee beds of Roses i-o s stm pe pat de flori,
And a thousand fragrant posies, Cu mii de trandafiri scnteietori,
A cap of flowers, and a kirtle Cununi de flori i haine croite
Embroidered all with leaves of Myrtle; Cu frunze de laur mpodobite:

A gown made of the finest wool Rochii din cea mai scump ln i-a face
Which from our pretty Lambs we pull; Aa cum duioilor miei le place;
Fair lined slippers for the cold, i-n caz c-i frig, papuci frumos croii
With buckles of the purest gold; Cu fire din aurul cel mai curat mpodobii:

A belt of straw and Ivy buds, Un bru de paie i tufe de ieder

With Coral clasps and Amber studs: Cu buci de coral i butoni de ambr;
And if these pleasures may thee move, i de te mic toat desftarea,
Come live with me, and be my love. Vino la mine i fii iubita mea.

The Shepherds Swains shall dance and sing Cete de ciobani o s danseze i -o s cnte
For thy delight each May-morning: n toate dimineile de mai, o s te-ncnte;
If these delights thy mind may move, i de-aceste desftri i fascineaz mintea,
Then live with me, and be my love. Vino la mine i fii iubita mea.

Walter Raleigh (1552-1618)

2
Zeigler, Wilbur Gleason, It was Marlowe. A Story of the Secret of Three Centuries, Benneberry &Co, Donohue, Chicago,1895
(www.archive.org)
Una din figurile marcante ale epocii elisabetane, inclus de BBC pe lista celor mai importante
100 personaliti britanice(locul 93). 3 A devenit faimos datorit activitii sale politice, care a
culminat cu numirea n funcia de amiral. La sugestia Elisabetei I, Raleigh ntreprinde n 1584 o
expediie n Atlantic, descoperind coasta estic a Americii de Nord, unde se ntemeiaz colonia
Virginia (actuala Carolin de Nord 4). A publicat i cteva poezii, ntre care i remarc The
Nymphs Reply (Rspunsul Nimfei ), scris ca o replic la madrigalul Pasionatul cioban iubirii
sale.

The Nymphs Reply Rspunsul Nimfei

If all the world and love were young, De lumea i dragostea-ar fi tinere,
And truth in every Shepherds tongue, i-adevr n a pstorului grire,
These pretty pleasures might me move, M-ar mica gingae plceri,
To live with thee, and be thy love. A veni, rspunznd la cereri.

Time drives the flocks from field to fold, Dar timpul mn turma de la munte la cmpie,
When Rivers rage and Rocks grow cold, Cnd rul se-nvolbureaz pe recea stnc pustie,
And Philomel becometh dumb, Philomela nu mai poate glsui,
The rest complains of cares to come. Plngndu-i grijile de trai.

The flowers do fade, and wanton fields, Florile se-ofilesc, iar cmpurile roditoare
To wayward winter reckoning yields, Merg n iarn pustiitoare;
A honey tongue, a heart of gall, O limb de miere, o inim de aur
Is fancys spring, but sorrows fall. Inspir fericire, da-s ale durerii faur.

Thy gowns, thy shoes, thy beds of Roses, Rochii, pantofi, paturi de trandafiri,
Thy cap, thy kirtle, and thy posies Bonete, bruri i-mpodobiri,
Soon break, soon wither, soon forgotten: Se sparg, se uit, sunt vetejite
In folly ripe, in reason rotten. De nebunia recoltei i-a raiunii icnite.

Thy belt of straw and Ivy buds, Brul de paie i tufele de ieder,
The Coral clasps and amber studs, Coralul i butonii de-ambr
All these in me no means can move Nicicnd nu m pot mica
To come to thee and be thy love. S vin la tine i s fiu iubita ta.

But could youth last, and love still breed, De tinereea ar persista, iubirea de-ar vieui,
Had joys no date, nor age no need, Nu-i nevoie de plceri, anii nu ne-ar bntui,
Then these delights my mind might move Atunci cu drag te-a atepta,
To live with thee, and be thy love. Venind la tine ca s fiu iubita ta.

3
ww.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-134458/100-great-Britons--A-complete-list.html
4
Capitala acestui stat component al SUA a fost botezat n 1792 dup numele su i are n prezent circa 400 mii locuitori
John Dowland (1563-1626)

Poet i compozitor englez, autor peste 87 melodii cu acompaniament de lut, pornind de la

versuri cu tente melancolice. n 1588 obine bacalaureatul n muzic la Colegiul Christ Church
din Oxford, mpreun cu Thomas Morley, iar 6 ani mai trziu candideaz pentru postul de lautist
la curtea Elisabetei I. Eueaz i pleac ntr-o cltorie la Londra unde ia lecii de la celebrul
compozitor Luca Marenzio. Viziteaz apoi Veneia, Padova, Florena, Genova, Ferrara. Se ntoarce
n Anglia n 1596, unde public un volum de cntece, strnind interesul regelui Christian IV al
Danemarcei, care-l ia n slujba sa. n 1606, este concediat i nevoit s revin acas, unde intr
ntr-o disput cu violistul Tobias Hume. n 1612, intr n graiile lui Iacob I Stuart, devenind
lautistul curii, funcie pe care o ocup pn la moartea sa.

Come again Vino iari

Come again! Sweet love doth now invite Vino iari! Doamn ce aduci
Thy graces that refrain Graiile ce mbie
To do me due delight; La plceri dulci;
To see, to hear, to touch, to kiss, to die S vd, s-aud, s-ating, s srut, s mor
With thee again in sweetest sympathy. Cu tine iari, n dulcea simpatie.

Come again! That I may cease to mourn Vino iari! Ca s nu mai bocesc
Through thy unkind disdain; Dispreul tu de furie;
For now left and forlorn C-acum te las i prsesc
I sit, I sigh, I weep, I faint, I die Stau, m uit, plng, lein, mor
In deadly pain and endless misery. In durere i nesfrit srcie.

All the day the sun that lends me shine Toat ziua Soarele ce m-a luminat
By frowns do cause me pine Cu sfidarea ce m-a nepat
And feeds me with delay; Hrnindu-m cu-amnare;
Her smiles, my springs that makes my joys to grow Zmbetele, primveri de fericire
Her frowns, the Winters of my woe. Sfidrile, ierni de mhnire.

All the night, my sleeps are full of dreams
My eyes are full of streams.
My heart takes no delight
To see the fruits and joys that some due find
And mark the storms are me assignd.
Toat noaptea, somnu-i plin de vise,
Ochii, plini cu lacrimi deschise.
Inima nu simte plcere
S vad fructul i veselia ce -o gsesc unii
i-mi pun semnul furtunii.

Out alas, my faith is ever true Totui, credina pe vecie-i dat

Yet will she never rue Dar ea nu mustr niciodat
Nor yield me any grace; i nu-mi d mntuire;
Her eyes of fire, her heart of flint is made Inima-i de piatr, ochii-s de foc
Whom tears nor truth may once invade. Lacrimi i-adevr n-o zdruncin deloc.

Gentle Love, draw forth thy wounding dart Amor nobil, las-i sgeata dureroas,
Thou canst not pierce her heart; Nu-i frnge inima duioas;
For I, that do approve C eu, care ngdui
By sighs and tears more hot than art thy shafts, Priviri i lacrimi mai calde ca arcul tu
Did tempt while she for triumph laughs. Ce-o ispitesc atunci cnd rde mereu.
John Donne ( 1572- 1631)
Poet englez din perioada baroc, reprezentant de seam al colii metafizice. Se nate ntr-o
familie catolic de negustori, nrudit cu dramaturgul John Heywood. ntre 1594-1596 intr n
slujba contelui de Essex, mpreun cu care particip la expediiile de la Cadiz i Insulele Azore,
unde se mprietenete cu Thomas Egerton, unde o cunoate pe nepoata lui, Anne. Se cstorete
cu aceasta n secret. Dup cteva incidente, care se soldeaz cu nchisoarea, Donne decide s
urmeze cariera preoeasc, publicnd o serie de tratate teologice prin intermediul crora ajunge s
beneficieze de favorurile regelui Iacob I. n 1615, devine capelan al curii.
Lirica sa impresioneaz prin prozodia sa rafinat i complexitatea imaginilor, obinute prin apelul
la un misticism sentimental,n acord cu cerinele epocii.

Air and Angels Aer i ngeri

TWICE or thrice had I loved thee, Ne iubeam n venicie,

Before I knew thy face or name ;
So in a voice, so in a shapeless flame
Angels affect us oft, and worshipp'd be.
Still when, to where thou wert, I came,
Some lovely glorious nothing did I see.
But since my soul, whose child love is,
Takes limbs of flesh, and else could nothing do,
More subtle than the parent is
Love must not be, but take a body too ;
And therefore what thou wert, and who,
I bid Love ask, and now
That it assume thy body, I allow,
And fix itself in thy lip, eye, and brow.
Nume i chip nc nu aveai;
Printr-o voce, un foc din rai
ngerii vegheaz, slvii s fie;
Venii pe unde mergeai,
Vzui un neant plin de mreie.
Iubirea -i un suflet din pruncie
De nu se-ntrupeaz, nu poate vieui;
Un printe cu gingie,
Trupul, are sarcina de-a strjui;
Oricine-ai fi, oriunde-ai locui
Vreau s te-ntlnesc
ngerul iubirii, ntrupat, s-l privesc,
Fruntea-i,ochii i buzele s le iubesc.

Whilst thus to ballast love I thought, Pe cnd credeam c iubirea-o stvilesc,

And so more steadily to have gone,
With wares which would sink admiration
I saw I had love's pinnace overfraught ;
Thy every hair for love to work upon
Is much too much ; some fitter must be sought ;
For, nor in nothing, nor in things
Extreme, and scattering bright, can love inhere ;
Then as an angel face and wings
Of air, not pure as it, yet pure doth wear,
So thy love may be my love's sphere ;
Just such disparity
As is 'twixt air's and angels' purity,
'Twixt women's love, and men's, will ever be.
Apei ordonndu-i calea de parcurs,
Cu porelan admiraia-m strpuns,
Catargul iubirii s-l zresc;
C-orice fir din pru-i ndeajuns
Se cufund-n iubire; e nefiresc;
Iubirea nu struie-n exces i-n luciu iptor
Fr msur, nimic nu-i venic;
Faa i-aripile unui nger strlucitor
Din aer sunt; nu-i chiar aa de vrednic,
Da tot e ndeajuns pentru al iubirii sfenic;
O astfel de-nsoire
Ca ntre aer i-a ngerilor fire,
Unete brbatul i femeia n iubire.

Go and Catch a Falling Star Du-te i prinde o stea cztoare

Go and catch a falling star,
Get with child a mandrake root,
Tell me all past years are,
Or who cleft the devils foot,
Teach me to hear the mermaids singing,
Or to keep off envy stinging,
And find
What wind
Serves to advance an honest mind.
If thou best born to strange sighs,
Things invisible to see,
Ride thousand days and nights,
Till age snow white hairs on thee,
Thou, when thou returnst will tell me,
All strange wonders that befell thee,
And swear
No where
Lives a woman true, and fair.
If thou findst one, let me know,
Such a pilgrimage were sweet;
Yet do not, I would not go
Though at the next door we might meet;
Though she were true, when you met her,
And last, till you write your letter,
Yet she
Will be
False, ere I come, to two or three.
Du-te i prinde o stea cztoare,
Adu cu copilul rdcin de mandragor,
Spune unde-s toate vrstele trectoare,
Sau cine zdruncin dracul de picior,
nva-m s-aud a sirenelor melodie,
Sau s-opresc acul de invidie,
i caut
Ce vntul sufl
Pentru a crete o minte cinstit.
De te-ai nscut n slae stranii,
Ce nu le poi vedea,
Clreti zile i nopi mii i mii,
Pn timpu-i umple prul cu nea,
Tu, cnd o s te-ntorci, vei zice
Ce se-ntmpl cu minunile-i tainice,
i o s conjuri,
Ca niciri
S vieuiasc-o femeie n adevr, cu nuri.
De afli vreuna, las-m s tiu,
E dulce s fim pelerini;
Dar nu poi, nu o s fiu
Plecat,dei la ua urmtoare ne-am ntlni;
O vieui n adevr, dar cnd o-ntlneti,
i-n sfrit, cnd scrisoarea i-o tocmeti,
Dar ei
Fi-vei
Minciun, nainte s vin, la doi sau trei.
 Aurelian Townshend (1583-1643)

Poet i dramaturg englez, activ la curtea lui Carol I Stuart. Reprezint coala cavalerilor,
caracterizat printr-un limbaj delicat, axat pe motivul carpe diem i pe meditaii sentimentale.
Preocupri deosebite pentru muzicalitatea versurilor. Un caracter aparte l ocup Upon Kinde and
True Love (Asupra iubirii gingae i curate), un veritabil elogiu adus amorului de curte.

Upon Kinde and True Love Asupra iubirii gingae i curate

'TIS not how witty, nor how free,
Nor yet how beautifull she be,
But how much kinde and true to me.
Freedome and Wit none can confine,
And Beauty like the Sun doth shine,
But kinde and true are onely mine.
Orict-i de liber, orict-i de zglobie,
Orict de frumoas o s fie,
Iubita-i sincer i devotat mie.
Libertatea i vorba de duh nu conteaz,
Nici frumuseea ca soarele de scnteiaz,
Ci s fie ginga i-n mine s creaz.

Let others with attention sit, Las-i pe alii s stea cu atenie,

To listen, and admire her wit,
That is a rock where Ile not split
Let others dote upon her eyes,
And burn their hearts for sacrifice,
Beauty's a calm where danger lyes.
S-asculte, s-admire ct-i de zglobie,
Piatra ce nu se sparge-mi place mie,
Las-i pe alii s cate la chipul delicat,
S-ard inima ce s-a sacrificat,
Frumosu-i o mare unde npasta a stat.

But Kinde and True have been long tried
A harbour where we may confide,
And safely there at anchor ride.
From change of winds there we are free,
And need not feare Storme's tyrannie,
Nor Pirat, though a Prince he be.
Dar gingia i-adevrul caut cu-ardoare!
Un port und s coboare,
i linitit s-a arunce ancora-n mare.
S ne liberm de schimbarea vnturilor,
S nu ne temem de tirania furtunilor;
Nici de pirat, chiar de-i din via prinilor.
Robert Herrick (1591-1674)

Considerat de Swinburne drept cel mai mare autor de cntece al naiunii engleze,Robert Herrick
s-a nscut la Cheapside, Londra, fiind al aptelea copil al fierarului Nicholas Herrick i al Juliei
Stone. Rmas orfan nc de tnr, tnrul Robert urmeaz cursurile colegiului de la Westminster,
iar apoi se nmatriculeaz la Colegiul St. John, Cambridge. n 1617, devine membru al clubului
Fiii lui Ben, format de admiratorii poetului i dramaturgului Ben Jonson. mbrieaz o carier
clerical, concretizat cu postul de vicar n Devonshire. Cunoate o popularitate deosebit n
timpul lui Carol I. n 1647, este rspopit, din cauza refuzului de a se nrola n armata
Parlamentului. Restauraia-l aduce printre favoriii regelui Carol II, care-l ajut s obin din nou
postul de vicar, pe care-l deine pn la moartea sa. Herrick a publicat 2500 poeme, majoritatea
cuprinse n volumul Hesperidele (Hesperides, 1648), publicat n timpul rzboiului civil. Exceleaz
n poezia sentimental, scris pe un ton arhaizant, de o muzicalitate aparte. Unele dintre poezii
au stat la baza elaborrii unor tablouri celebre, pictate de artiti prerafaelii (precum John Everett
Millais (1829-1896) sau John William Waterhouse ( 1849-1917)

Again Iari

WHEN I thy singing next shall hear,
I'll wish I might turn all to ear,
To drink in notes and numbers such
As blessed souls can't hear too much ;
Then melted down, there let me lie
Entranc'd and lost confusedly,
And by thy music stricken mute,
Die and be turn'd into a lute.
Cnd cntul tu gndul l-aude,
Vrea-n urechile tale s poat ptrunde:
S-asculte desftarea notelor i tonurilor
Ce nu se-aud nici n rndul aleilor;
Apoi s se topeasc, s intre
S-ajung pierdut n confuzii,
i apoi, cnd muzica-i mut,
S moar, preschimbat n lut.

A Canticle to Apollo Cntare lui Apollo

Play, Phoebus, on thy lute, Cnt, Phoebus, din lut,
And we will sit all mute; i toat lumea-i mut;
By listening to the lyre, Din lir ascult,
That sets all ears on fire. Ce urechi nfierbnt.

Hark! Hark! The God does play! Ascult! Ascult! Cum cnt Domnul!
As he leads on the way Cnd conduce drumul
Through heaven,the very spheres, Spre cer, acele perechi,
As men, turn all to ears! Oameni, ascultai-n urechi!

Delight in Disorder Plcere n haos

A sweet disorder in the dress, Un mic haos n rochie,

Kindles in clothes a wantonness: Aprinde-n haine simuri de beie:
A lawn about the shoulders thrown Batistul pe azvrlit umeri
Into a fine distraction: E-o delicat surs de plceri:
An erring lace which here and there O panglic pretutindeni rtcit
Enthralls the crimson stomacher:
A cuff neglectful, and thereby
Ribbons to flow confusedly:
A winning wave (deserving note)
In the tempestuous petticoat:
A careless shoe-string, in whose tie
I seed a wild civility:
Do more bewitch me than when art
Is too precise in every part.
To the Virgins,
To Make Much of Time
GATHER ye rosebuds while ye may,
Old Time is still a-flying:
And this same flower that smiles to-day
To-morrow will be dying.
The glorious lamp of heaven, the sun,
The higher he 's a-getting,
The sooner will his race be run,
And nearer he 's to setting.
That age is best which is the first,
When youth and blood are warmer;
But being spent, the worse, and worst
Times still succeed the former.
Then be not coy, but use your time,
And while ye may, go marry:
For having lost but once your prime,
You may for ever tarry.
De corsetu sngeriu-i vrjit:
Maneta neglijent, din apropiere
nfoar panglica-n mistere:
Un val (d o not aparte) victorios
n juponul furtunos:
O cravat cu iret, zdrenuit
Unde vd o lume slbticit:
Acum mai tare m vrajeti
Dect atunci cnd toate prile-s fireti.
Ctre Fecioare,
S-i fac mai mult timp
Luai trandafiri cnd putei avea
Vremea veche-i pe sfrit;
Floarea care ieri zmbea
Mine a i murit.
Soarele, a cerului lamp mrea
Sus pe cer a rsrit,
Curnd drumu-i intr-n cea,
i-i pe punctul de asfinit.
Vremea bun timpurie,
Sngele fraged, tinereea
Trece; vine vremea rea, trzie
Care-i tot mai grea.
Fr sfial, caut vremea hrzit,
i ct timp avei, haidei la cununie;
De-o pierzi ntr-o clipit
Pe veci suntei n zbovie.
John Milton (1608-1674)
Figur-simbol a Angliei, alturi de William Shakespeare. La fel ca acesta, a exercitat o influen
covritoare asupra culturii universale, promovnd o revizuire radical a eticii tradiionale prin
poemele sale de mari dimensiuni, cu coninut revoluionar. John Milton s-a nscut pe 9
decembrie 1608 la Londra, ntr-o familie de puritani radicali. A fost educat la St. Paul i Christs
College, Londra, pentru a urma o carier preoeasc, ns a renunat repede la acest proiect,
simind dezgust fa de orizontul dogmatic al vremii. n 1638, tnrul poet pleac n Italia, unde
cunoate o serie de personaliti marcante, printre care i Galileo Galilei. Revine n Anglia n
anul urmtor i se dedic pamfletelor politico-religioase, devenind unul din principalii susintori
ai Parlamentului n lupta cu Carol I. Pentru meritele sale deosebite, Oliver Cromwell l numete
secretar al afacerilor externe. Intr n dizgraie odat cu Restauraia, fapt ce-i permite s-i
consacre ntreaga via poeziei. n ultimii ani, orbete. A avut 3 soii (Mary Powell, Katherine
Woodcock, Elizabeth Mynshull) , un biat (John) i 4 fete (Anne, Mary, Deborah, Katherine).

Opera
Od: n Dimineaa Naterii lui Hristos (Ode: On the Morning of Christs Nativity, 1629)
L Allegro (1631)- poem pastoral
Il Penseroso (1631)- poem pastoral
Comus, o masc prezentat la castelul Ludlow (Comus, a Mask Presented at Ludlow Castle,
1634)- dram pastoral
Lycidas (1638)- poem pastoral
Asupra Reformei (Of Reformation, 1641)- pamflet teologic
Asupra episcopiei i a prelailor (Of Prelatical Episcopacy ,1641)-pamflet teologic, critic la adresa
politicii Bisericii oficiale
Adversarii sufletului (Animadversions, 1641)-pamflet anti-ecleziastic
Necesitatea guvernrii bisericeti mpotriva prelailor (The Reason of Church-Government against
Prelaty, 1642)-pamflet anti-ecleziastic
Apologie pentru Smectymnuus (Apology for Smectymnuus, 1642)-pamflet anti-ecleziastic
Doctrina i disciplina divorului (Doctrine and Discipline of the Divorce, 1643)
Despre educaie (Of Education, 1644)
Areopagitica (1644)- tratat juridic
Tetrarchodon (1645)- articol legat de divor
Colasterion (1645)-articol legat de divor
Poeme ale domnului John Milton, n englez i latin (1645)-antologie poetic
Iconoclatii (Eikonoklastes, 1649)-pamflet ecleziastic
Defensio pro Populo Anglicano (1651-1654)- pledoarie pentru Cromwell
Asupra ultimului masacru din Piemont( On the Late Massacre in Piedmont, 1655)-sonet scris cu
ocazia campaniei ducelui de Savoia mpotriva valdezilor
Tratat de putere civil (A treatise of Civil Power, 1659)
Cel mai simplu i mai uor mod de a stabili o Comunitate comercial liber (The Ready and
Easy Way to Establish a Free Commonwealth, 1660)- pamflet anti-monarhic
Poemul Paradisului ( 1667-1671): Paradisul pierdut (Paradise Lost, 1667), Paradisul Regsit
(Paradise Regained, 1671)- capodopera poetic a lui Milton
Istoria Angliei (1670)
Agonia lui Samson (Samson Agonistes, 1671)-dram de inspiraie biblic
Despre religia cea adevrat (Of True Religion, 1673)-tratat teologic
Despre dogma cretin (Of Christian Doctrine, postum (1823)

Ode Od

On the Morning of Christs Nativity n Dimineaa Naterii lui

Hristos

This is the Month, and this the happy morn
Wherein the Son of Heav'ns eternal King,
Of wedded Maid, and Virgin Mother born,
Our great redemption from above did bring;
For so the holy sages once did sing,
That he our deadly forfeit should release,
And with his Father work us a perpetual peace.
Asta-i luna, asta-i dimineaa menit,
A Pruncului Ceresc, venic mprat,
Nscut dintr-o Mireas i Fecioar smerit,
Care prin Cel de Sus mntuire ne-a dat;
Aa cum proorocii din vechime-au cntat,
El strpi-va pcatul din rdcin,
i prin Tatl o s-aduc pacea deplin.

That glorious Form, that Light unsufferable, Acel Chip glorios, acel licr de lumin,
And that far-beaming blaze of Majesty, Acea scnteie a mreiei neprihnite,
Wherwith he wont at Heav'ns high Councel-Table, Dorit-n Camera de Consiliu din cetatea divin,
To sit the midst of Trinal Unity, S stea- n mijlocul Treimii nedesprite;
He laid aside; and here with us to be, Lsat-a la o parte toat slava cereasc
Forsook the Courts of everlasting Day, Ieit-a din curile zilei din venicie,
And chose with us a darksom House of mortal Clay. S fac bezna muritorilor s luceasc.

Say Heav'nly Muse, shall not thy sacred vein Muz Cereasc, oare n-ar vrea acordurile-i sfinte,
Afford a present to the Infant God? S-aduc prinos Pruncului Divin ?
Hast thou no vers, no hymn, or solemn strein, Niciun imn, nicio melodie, nici mree cuvinte,
To welcom him to this his new abode, De bun venit, n-ai ca s-l lauzi pe deplin,
Now while the Heav'n by the Suns team untrod, Acum cnd Soarele cu carul su din senin
Hath took no print of the approching light, Nu pot strbate Cerul ca s luceasc
And all the spangled host keep watch in squadrons bright? Pot oare nite cete luminoase s pzeasc?

See how from far upon the Eastern rode Privete cum nite magi dinspre rsrit
The Star-led Wisards haste with odours sweet: Cluzii de-o stea aduc mndre odoare;
O run, prevent them with thy humble ode, O, du-te la ei, cnt-le imnul smerit,
And lay it lowly at his blessed feet; i-ngenuncheaz lng slvitele picioare;
Have thou the honour first, thy Lord to greet, Ai ocazia pe Domnul tu s-l slveti,
And joyn thy voice unto the Angel Quire, S te alturi n coruri ngereti,
From out his secret Altar toucht with hallow'd fire. i-atins de blndul foc, n tainicul altar peti.

The Hymn Colinda

It was the Winter wilde, ntr-o iarn geroas,

While the Heav'n-born-childe, Stnd n peter umbroas,
All meanly wrapt in the rude manger lies; S-a nscut Fiul Cerului;
Nature in aw to him Natura i-aduce prinos
Had doff't her gawdy trim, Un tron prealuminos,
With her great Master so to sympathize: Ascultnd voia Domnului:
It was no season then for her Nu-i vremea galant,
To wanton with the Sun her lusty Paramour. Pentru a Soarelui amant.

Onely with speeches fair Doar cu vorbe curate,

She woo's the gentle Air Peete miresme parfumate;
To hide her guilty front with innocent Snow, Care-i ascund fruntea pngrit
And on her naked shame, Cu zpad neprihnit;
Pollute with sinfull blame, n ruinea-i desfrnat,
The Saintly Vail of Maiden white to throw, Arunc Vlul Sfnt de Fecioar curat,
Confounded, that her Makers eyes Speriat de ochii Ziditorului
Should look so neer upon her foul deformities. Ce privesc ureniile pcatului.

But he her fears to cease, Dar prin El frica-i nceteaz,

Sent down the meek-eyd Peace, Cnd blnzii ochi ai Pcii scnteiaz:
She crown'd with Olive green, came softly sliding ncoronat de un verde msliniu, pete uor,
Down through the turning sphear, Prin rotirea sferelor,
His ready Harbinger, Al Naturii vestitor,
With Turtle wing the amorous clouds dividing, Cu aripi de turturea separ iubirea norilor;
And waving wide her mirtle wand, i micnd bagheta de smirn
She strikes a universall Peace through Sea and Land. Arunc peste mri i ri o pace deplin.

No War, or Battails sound Nu-i niciun rzboi, niciun cnt de btlie

Was heard the World around:
The idle spear and shield were high up hung;
The hooked Chariot stood
Unstain'd with hostile blood,
The Trumpet spake not to the armed throng,
And Kings sate still with awfull eye,
As if they surely knew their sovran Lord was by.
Nu rsun n vreo-mprie;
Spada i pavza stau la o parte;
Greoiul car de lupt ateapt-n van
iroiul sngelui duman;
Trmbia nu mai trimite spre moarte;
i regii se uit cu ochiul mhnit,
De parc-ar ti c-adevratul Rege a venit.

But peacefull was the night Ce noapte de armonie

Wherein the Prince of Light Aduce a Prinului Luminii domnie
His reign of peace upon the earth began: ncepe domnia pcii pe pmnt;
The Windes, with wonder whist, Vnturi cu oapte minunate,
Smoothly the waters kist, Dau un srut uor apelor curate,
Whispering new joyes to the milde Ocean, Vestind noi bucurii oceanului cel blnd,
Who now hath quite forgot to rave, Ce nu mai mugete pe mal,
While Birds of Calm sit brooding on the charmed wave.Iar psrile linitii plutesc pe fermecatul val.

The Stars with deep amaze Stele se uit cu profund uimire,

Stand fixt in stedfast gaze, Aruncnd o statornic privire,
Bending one way their pretious influence, Buntate vestesc prin preiosul licr;
And will not take their flight, i o s pluteasc n zbor,
For all the morning light, Pnla ivirea zorilor,
Or Lucifer that often warn'd them thence; Cnd, prevenite de Luceafr,
But in their glimmering Orbs did glow, n sfere lucitoare o s se duc,
Untill their Lord himself bespake, and bid them go. Ascultnd a Domnului porunc.

And though the shady gloom Dei umbra beznei

Had given day her room, Las locul zilei,
The Sun himself with-held his wonted speed, Soarele nu mai lucete att de tare,
And hid his head for shame, i-ascunde capul de ruine,

As his inferiour flame, C flacra-i nu poate ine

The new-enlightn'd world no more should need; Lumina noii lumi care se nate:
He saw a greater Sun appear Vede cum un Soare mai mre apare
Then his bright Throne, or burning Axletree could bear. n tronu-I lucitor i-n floarea arztoare.
The Shepherds on the Lawn, Pstorii de pe cmpii,
Or ere the point of dawn, nainte de zorii azurii,
Sate simply chatting in a rustick row; Vorbeau de lumea simpl-a satelor;
Full little thought they than, Puini credeau atunci
That the mighty Pan C vine mreul Pan
Was kindly com to live with them below; Din Cer pe lunci;
Perhaps their loves, or els their sheep, Poate iubirea, ori creterea oilor,
Was all that did their silly thoughts so busie keep. Era preocuparea simpl-a gndului lor.

When such musick sweet Cnd auzir o muzic aa duioas,

Their hearts and ears did greet, Ce-ncnta urechile i inima pioas,
As never was by mortall finger strook, Aa cum nu cnta niciun muritor,
Divinely-warbled voice O voce cu tonuri divine
Answering the stringed noise, Ce rspundea corzilor line,
As all their souls in blisfull rapture took: Dnd sufletelor un extaz ameitor:
The Air such pleasure loth to lose, Un aer aa plcut i parfumat,
With thousand echo's still prolongs each heav'nly close. Mii de ecouri ale cerului ndeprtat.

Nature that heard such sound Natura, auzind asemenea cntri,

Beneath the hollow round mprejurul unor vi i unor ri
Of Cynthia's seat, the Airy region thrilling, De sub scaunul Cynthiei,
Now was almost won n zona vzduhului tremurtor,
To think her part was don, Crezu c-a rectigat uor
And that her raign had here its last fulfilling; i c-a venit domnia ei:
She knew such harmony alone tia c-o astfel de armonie
Could hold all Heav'n and Earth in happier union. ntre cer i pmnt poate s fie.

At last surrounds their sight n jurul acestei uniri

A Globe of circular light, Se rotea un glob de strluciri,
That with long beams the shame-fac't night array'd, Care prin scntei alung noaptea ruinoas;
The helmed Cherubim Paveze de heruvimi
And sworded Seraphim i sbii de serafimi
Are seen in glittering ranks with wings displaid, Bat din aripi n scnteie-armonioas,
Harping in loud and solemn quire, Cntnd n cor din harp
With unexpressive notes to Heav'ns new-born Heir. Pruncului din Cer cntri de slav.

Such Musick (as 'tis said) Se zice c-o astfel de melodie

Before was never made, nainte n-a mai fost,
But when of old the sons of morning sung, Atunci cnd vechii Btrni cntau,
While the Creator Great n timp ce Ziditorul punea
His constellations set, Pe bolt cte-o stea,
And the well-balanc't world on hinges hung, Pe care de vzduh o atrnau;
And cast the dark foundations deep, i fceau nite fundaii adnci,
And bid the weltring waves their oozy channel keep. Pstrnd valuri ntre ml i stnci.

Ring out ye Crystall sphears, Cntai, voi, sferelor de cristal,

Once bless our human ears, Binecuvntai urechile oamenilor,
(If ye have power to touch our senses so) (De-avei trie asupra simurilor)
And let your silver chime Lsai armoniile de-argint,
Move in melodious time; S zic-un venic cnt;
And let the Base of Heav'ns deep Organ blow, Lsai s sune tonul orgii cerului,
And with your ninefold harmony n armonia celor nou sfere
Make up full consort to th' Angelike symphony. S sune ntreita-ngerilor cntare.

For if such holy Song Cci o sfinit melodie

Enwrap our fancy long, Ne-nfoar-n fantezie,
Time will run back, and fetch the age of gold, Timpul se-ntoarce n veacul de aur,
And speckl'd vanity i vicleanul desfru
Will sicken soon and die, Se-mbolnvete i moare,
And leprous sin will melt from earthly mould, i leprosul pcat se topete i dispare,
And Hell itself will pass away, i iadul nsui se trage la o parte,
And leave her dolorous mansions to the peering day. Lsndu-i durerosul sla deoparte.

Yea Truth, and Justice then Da,Adevrul i Dreptatea revin

Will down return to men, La oameni pe deplin;
Th' enameld Arras of the Rainbow wearing, nfat n curcubeu de glorii,
And Mercy set between, Mila vine degrab,
Thron'd in Celestiall sheen, Tronnd ntr-a a cerului slav;
With radiant feet the tissued clouds down stearing, Condus printre nori lucii
And Heav'n as at som festivall, i cerul, ca-ntr-o srbtoare
Will open wide the Gates of her high Palace Hall. Deschide porile palatului su mare.

But wisest Fate sayes no, Dar voia neleptei Soarte

This must not yet be so, Zice c-asta nc nu se poate;
The Babe lies yet in smiling Infancy, Chiar de Pruncul st zmbind,
That on the bitter cross Pe-o cruce grea va fi-atrnat
Must redeem our loss; Ca s ne scoat din pcat,
So both himself and us to glorifie: Iar noi n El s ne mpodobim:
Yet first to those ychain'd in sleep, i cei captivi n vraja adormirii
The wakefull trump of doom must thunder through the deep, Din adnc auzi-vor trmbia trezirii,

With such a horrid clang C-un glas teribil ca de tunet

As on mount Sinai rang C Muntele Sinai scoate-un zumzet
While the red fire, and smouldring clouds out brake: Cnd nroitul foc i vajnicii nori prind via:
The aged Earth agast Btrnul Pmnt, atunci
With terrour of that blast, Speriat de zgomote prelungi
Shall from the surface to the center shake, Se scutur la suprafa,
When at the worlds last session, Cnd n ultimul ceas,pe cer,
The dreadfull Judge in middle Air shall spread his throne. Judectoru crncen-i face tron n aer.

And then at last our bliss i-atunci a noastr fericire

Full and perfect is, Ajunge la desvrire,
But now begins; for from this happy day i-acum ncepe, n ziua fericit
Th' old Dragon under ground, Balaurul de sub pmnt
In straiter limits bound, Se simte tot mai strmt,
Not half so far casts his usurped sway, C piere uzurparea sa neleguit,
And wrath to see his Kingdom fail, Mnios pe mpria sa ce moare,
Swindges the scaly Horrour of his foulded tail. Se-nfioar solzii de teroare.

The Oracles are dumm, Oracolele-au mpietrit,

No voice or hideous hum Niciun zgomot ngrozit
Runs through the arched roof in words deceiving. Prin bolta arcuit nu griete.
Apollo from his shrine Apollo cu nimbul aurit
Can no more divine, Nu mai e zeul slvit,
With hollow shreik the steep of Delphos leaving. Scoate un ipt jalnic i Delphi prsete.
No nightly trance, or breathed spell, Nici o trans nocturn, nicio vraj-neltoare
Inspire's the pale-ey'd Priest from the prophetic cell. Nu mai posed preotul n profetica strmtoare.

The lonely mountains o're, Munii singuratici dimprejur,

And the resounding shore, i malul unduios din jur,
A voice of weeping heard, and loud lament; Plnge c-un glas de jale;
From haunted spring and dale Cci izvorul bntuit de pe vlcea
Edg'd with poplar pale, Flori de maci avea,
The parting Genius is with sighing sent, Fugit-a Geniul din vale;
With flowre-inwov'n tresses torn Crrile din asfinit pline de flori
The Nimphs in twilight shade of tangled thickets mourn. Alung umbra nimfelor ce scot fiori.

In consecrated Earth, n pmntul sfinit

And on the holy Hearth, i-n oblonul blagoslovit,
The Lars, and Lemures moan with midnight plaint, Larii i Lemurii plng la miezul nopii,
In Urns, and Altars round, n urne i-n altare,
A drear, and dying sound Se-aude un glas trist ce moare
Affrights the Flamins at their service quaint; Ce-nspimnt flaminii la ceremonii,
And the chill Marble seems to sweat, i marmura rece asud,
While each peculiar power forgoes his wonted seat. Cnd tronul ei se sfarm de atta trud.

Peor, and Baalim, Baalim i Peor

Forsake their Temples dim, Ies din ntunecimea templelor,
With that twise-batter'd god of Palestine, Create atunci cnd luptau cu zeul Palestinei;
And mooned Ashtaroth, i Ashtaroth, luna divin,
Heav'ns Queen and Mother both, Mam i-a cerului regin,
Now sits not girt with Tapers holy shine, St fr podoabe-n aur;
The Libyc Hammon shrinks his horn, i rupe cornul Hammon, zeul libian,
In vain the Tyrian Maids their wounded Thamuz mourn.Iar fetele din Tyr plng pe Thamuz n van.

And sullen Moloch fled, i ursuzul Moloch trece-n zbor,

Hath left in shadows dred. Lsnd n urm valea umbrelor.
His burning Idol all of blackest hue, Unde-i venerat idolul arztor i-ntunecat,
In vain with Cymbals ring, n van glsuiesc chimvale,
They call the grisly king, Zicnd de urenii regale,
In dismall dance about the furnace blue; Zadarnic danseaz lng-albastrele furnale;
The brutish gods of Nile as fast, Slbaticii zei ai Nilului, repezii,
Isis and Orus, and the Dog Anubis hast. Isis, Orus i cinele Anubis sunt uimii.

Nor is Osiris seen Osiris pare nevzut

In Memphian Grove, or Green, n verdeaa stncilor din Memphis-i netiut,
Trampling the unshowr'd Grasse with lowings loud: Greoi umbl prin iarb, cntnd ncetior:
Nor can he be at rest Nu-i mai afl odihn
Within his sacred chest, n a cufrului tihn,
Naught but profoundest Hell can be his shroud: Scoate un zgomot n lumea beznelor:
In vain with Timbrel'd Anthems dark Zadarnic cu imnuri ntunecate,
The sable-stoled Sorcerers bear his worshipt Ark. Vrjitorii ncearc s-i dea laude.

He feels from Juda's land Simte din pmntul lui Iuda

The dredded Infants hand, Cum pruncii-i ntind mna,
The rayes of Bethlehem blind his dusky eyn; Lumina din Betleem-i orbete ochii;
Nor all the gods beside, Niciunul din zeii anteriori
Longer dare abide, Nu mai triete-n zori,
Nor Typhon huge ending in snaky twine: Nici uriaul Typhon, cu coada lui de arpe:
Our Babe, to shew his Godhead true, Cci Pruncul nostru, artnd dumnezeirea,
Can in his swadling bands controul the damned crew. Acestor hoarde ignorante le-a adus pieirea.

So when the Sun in bed, Cnd Soarele s-a culcat,

Curtain'd with cloudy red, Cu o ptur roie de nori nfat,
Pillows his chin upon an Orient wave. Sprijinindu-i pieptul de-un val din rsrit.
The flocking shadows pale Umbrele zburnde au pierit
Troop to th' infernall jail, nchise-n loc afurisit,
Each fetter'd Ghost slips to his severall grave, Fiecare fantom plecat-a n mormnt,
And the yellow-skirted Fayes i znele cu piele galben i rochii aurii din lun
Fly after the Night-steeds, leaving their Moon-lov'd maze. n noapte mers-au toate mpreun.

But see the Virgin blest, Dar vezi cum Fecioara binecuvntat
Hath laid her Babe to rest. ine la piept Pruncul ndat:
Time is our tedious Song should here have ending, E timpul s terminm cntul slvit,
Heav'ns youngest-teemed Star Steaua cea nou din cer
Hath fixt her polisht Car, Se fixeaz-n gingaul aer,
Her sleeping Lord with Handmaid Lamp attending. Pzete cu fclia-i Domnul tocmai adormit.
And all about the Courtly Stable, i grajdul curtenesc,
Bright-harnest Angels sit in order serviceable. Luminoii ngeri-l strjuiesc.

Abraham Cowley (1618-1667)

Poet reprezentativ al Angliei sec. XVII, activ n perioada rzboiului civil i a primilor ani ai
Restauraiei. Provine dintr-o familie de negustori nstrii din Londra. Rmas orfan de tat, tnrul
Abraham este educat de mama sa prin intermediul unor cri religioase i a unei copii a
poemului spenserian Criasa Znelor. Se formeaz ca autodidact, debutnd n 1628 cu Tragica
istorie a lui Pyramus i Thisbe, urmat mai trziu de Constantia i Philetus, care strnete
admiraia colegilor i profesorilor si de la colegiul Westminster. Dobndete notorietate n 1633,
cu volumul Flori poetice (Poetical Blossoms). n 1637, devine profesor la Trinity College,
Cambridge, prilej cu care ncepe redactarea unei epopei legate de viaa regelui David. n 1643,
se implic n conflictul dintre rege i Parlament, situndu-se de partea regelui. Dup btlia de la
Marston Moor, o urmeaz pe regin-n exil. Se-ntoarce n Anglia n 1658, pentru a oferi sprijin
cauzei Restauraiei. Ulterior, se retrage din politic, stabilindu-se la ar. Lirica sa realizeaz o
sintez ntre coala metafizic i cea a cavalerilor, remarcndu-se printr-o rigoare stilistic
precursoare a clasicismului.
The Tree of Knowledge Pomul cunoaterii

The sacred tree 'midst the fair orchard grew; n mijlocul grdinii un pom sacru cretea,
The Phoenix truth did on it rest, Unde- adevrul se-odihnea ca un phoenix curat,
And built his perfum'd nest; Fcndu-i un cuib parfumat;
That right Porphyrian tree which did true Logick shew, n pomul purpuriu, adevrata logic lucea,
Each leaf did learned notions give, n fiece frunz gseai savante definiii,
And th' apples were demonstrative; Iar merele erau demonstraii;
So clear their colour and divine, Att de clar era nuana divin,
The very shade they cast did other lights out-shine. Umbrele dndu-i o nou lumin.

Taste not, said God;'t is mine and angels' meat; Nu mnca din hrana ngerilor i a mea;
A certain death doth sit, Astfel Domnul zicea,
Like an ill worm, i' th' core of it. Ca viermi bolnavi, o s v road moartea.
Ye cannot know and live, nor live or know and eat. Nu poi altura viaa i mncarea
Thus spoke God, yet man did go Alturi de tiin, Domnul vorbi
Ignorantly on to know; ns omul a fcut i orbi;
Grew so more blind, and she Din ignorana de a ti,iar cea ce-l ispitea
Who tempted him to this, grew yet more blind than he. Orbirea tot mai mare i fcea.

The only science man by this did get, Singura tiin pe care-o dobndi
Was but to know he nothing knew: Era tiina c nu poate ti:
He strait his nakedness did view, Se vzu n goliciune,
His ignorant poor estate, and was asham'd of it. Srcie , ignoran; i-i fu ruine.
Yet searches probabilities, Tot cut faciliti,
And rhetorick, and fallacies, Retoric, subtiliti,
And seeks by useless pride, i vrea ca prin prosteasca fal
With slight and withering leaves that nakedness to hide. Cu frunze subiri s-acopere o parte goal.

Henceforth, said God, the wretched sons of earth i zise Domnul: nevrednicii fii ai rnii
Shall sweat for food in vain, S-alerge-n van dup mncare,
That will not long sustain; Pn ce nu vor avea suflare;
And bring with labour forth each fond abortive birth. Iar munca grea s-aduc durerea facerii.
That serpent too, their pride, i arpele, a lor mndrie,
Which aims at things deny'd; Ce lucruri interzise dorete s deie;
That learn'd and eloquent lust; Cultur i plceri fr de discernmnt;
Instead of mounting high, shall creep upon the dust. S nu se- nale, ci s cad la pmnt.
Andrew Marvell (1621-1678)
Supranumit poetul grdinilor. Andrew Marvell s-a nscut la Winestead-in-Holderness, Yorkshire,
ntr-o familie de preoi. La vrsta de 13 ani, a absolvit Trinity College, Cambridge. ntre 1642-
1649, efectueaz o cltorie n Europa. Se ntoarce n Anglia, unde se lanseaz n viaa politic,
sprijinit de prietenul su, John Milton. ntre 1659-1679, este ales membru n Parlament. Are un
rol important n guvernarea Restauraiei, remarcndu-se n special n timpul rzboaielor anglo-
olandeze. Este trimis n misiuni diplomatice n Rusia, Suedia i Danemarca. Pe plan poetic,
Marvell promoveaz inovaii stilistice, profunzime sentimental i o utilizare neconvenional a
parafrazelor biblice i clasice( trecerea de la poetul intelectual la poetul reflexiv) ; este fascinat
mai ales de imaginea Paradisului i de motivul carpe diem.

The Garden Grdina

How vainly men themselves amaze Oamenii caut-n zadar

To win the palm, the oak, or bays ;
And their uncessant labors see
Crowned from some single herb or tree,
Whose short and narrow-vergd shade
Does prudently their toils upbraid ;
While all the flowers and trees do close
To weave the garlands of repose.
S-aib palmier, laur sau stejar;
Vrnd ca munca necurmat
C-un copac sau iarb s fie-ncununat,
Iar micile i-ngustele praguri umbrite
Cu modestie i las crengile jignite;
Cnd toat floarea i copacul se coboar
S fac o cunun de povar.

Fair Quiet, have I found thee here,
And Innocence, thy sister dear!
Mistaken long, I sought you then
In busy companies of men :
Your sacred plants, if here below,
Only among the plants will grow ;
Society is all but rude,
To this delicious solitude.
Mndr linite, orict te-a cuta,
Vede-te-a lng inocen, sora ta!
Mult am greit, creznd c te-aflu mai uor
n preajma oamenilor;
Cci florile sfinte, oriunde-ar locui,
Doar printre alte plante-ar vieui:
Societatea-i doar plictis,
n al singurtii paradis.

No white nor red was ever seen
So amorous as this lovely green ;
Fond lovers, cruel as their flame,
Cut in these trees their mistress' name.
Little, alas, they know or heed,
How far these beauties hers exceed!
Fair trees! wheresoe'er your barks I wound
No name shall but your own be found.
Nici albul, nici roul n-a fost iubit
Ca verdele ginga cnd l-ai zrit.
De nite cruzi i-nvpaiai iubii,
Cu nume de doamne copacii-s scrijelii.
Din pcate, puini tiau c-au rpit
Frumosul printr-un act pripit!
Mndri copaci!Scoara voastr o-a crua
i numele le-a cura.

When we have run our passion's heat,
Love hither makes his best retreat :
The gods who mortal beauty chase,
Still in a tree did end their race.
Apollo hunted Daphne so,
Only that she might laurel grow,
And Pan did after Syrinx speed,
Not as a nymph, but for a reed.
What wondrous life is this I lead!
Ripe apples drop about my head ;
The luscious clusters of the vine
Cnd pasiunea ne mistuie cu-ardoare,
Aici iubirea-i afl rcoare:
Chiar zeii, cnd cutau o frumusee muritoare,
Printre copaci mergeau la vntoare.
Apollo dup Daphne fugise,
i-astfel un laur gsise;
i Pan merse dup Syrinx-n cmpie,
i-n loc de nimf, afl trestie.
Ce via minunat-a avea!
n cap mere coapte mi-ar cdea;
Crceii zemoi de vi
Upon my mouth do crush their wine ;
The nectarine and curious peach
Into my hands themselves do reach ;
Stumbling on melons as I pass,
Insnared with flowers, I fall on grass.
Turna-mi-ar vinul n guri;
Ciudate piersici i nectarine
Ar cobor -n mn la mine;
Prin pepeni m-a mpiedica,
Prins ntre flori, n iarb m-a culca.

Meanwhile the mind, from pleasure less, Mintea mea, ce n-are desftare,
Withdraws into its happiness : Se pierde-n atta ncntare:
The mind, that ocean where each kind Mintea-i un ocean n care orice fire
Does straight its own resemblance find ; Afl trie-n amintire;
Yet it creates, transcending these, i creeaz, trecnd peste zri,
Far other worlds, and other seas ; Alte lumi i alte mri;
Annihilating all that's made Punnd capt la tot ce-i amar
To a green thought in a green shade. Prin gndul nverzit din verdele umbrar.

Here at the fountain's sliding foot, Aicea-n pasul lunecos de la fntn,

Or at some fruit-tree's mossy root, i-n muchiul pomului n rdcin,
Casting the body's vest aside, Mi-arunc jletca trupeasc,
My soul into the boughs does glide : i sufletu-mi ntre ramuri s pluteasc;
There like a bird it sits and sings, Acolo ca o pasre st-n cnt,
Then whets and combs its silver wings ; Ce cur i mngie aripi de-argint;
And, till prepared for longer flight, i pregtit de-un lung zbor,
Waves in its plumes the various light. i unduie-un penaj multicolor.

Such was that happy garden-state, Era grdina-stat un loc desfttor,

While man there walked without a mate : Cnd omul se plimba fr-nsoitor:
After a place so pure and sweet, Dup un loc att de dulce i curat
What other help could yet be meet! Ce alt prieten e de cutat!
But 'twas beyond a mortal's share Da-i dincolo de omenirea muritoare
To wander solitary there : Ca singur s mearg pe crare:
Two paradises 'twere in one Dou raiuri s-au zidit,
To live in Paradise alone. Cnd omul umbla-n rai nestingherit.

How well the skillful gard'ner drew Ce bine grdinarul trasat-a cu-ndemnare,
Of flowers and herbs this dial new ; Noul rond cu iarb i cu floare,
Where from above the milder sun Din cer, soarele-mbietor
Does through a fragrant zodiac run ; Lumineaz prin calea zodiilor;
And, as it works, th' industrious bee i-albina harnic muncete nencetat,
Computes its time as well as we. Profit ct mai bine de timpul msurat.
How could such sweet and wholesome hours Ce clipe dulci i sntoase
Be reckoned but with herbs and flowers! S socoteti a florilor foloase!

To His Coy Mistress Doamnei sale sfioase

Had we but world enough, and time,
This coyness, lady, were no crime.
We would sit down and think which way
To walk, and pass our long love's day;
Thou by the Indian Ganges' side
Shouldst rubies find; I by the tide
Of Humber would complain. I would
Love you ten years before the Flood;
And you should, if you please, refuse
Till the conversion of the Jews.
My vegetable love should grow
Vaster than empires, and more slow.
An hundred years should go to praise
Thine eyes, and on thy forehead gaze;
Two hundred to adore each breast,
But thirty thousand to the rest;
An age at least to every part,
And the last age should show your heart.
For, lady, you deserve this state,
Nor would I love at lower rate.
But at my back I always hear
Time's winged chariot hurrying near;
And yonder all before us lie
Deserts of vast eternity.
Thy beauty shall no more be found,
Nor, in thy marble vault, shall sound
My echoing song; then worms shall try
That long preserv'd virginity,
And your quaint honour turn to dust,
And into ashes all my lust.
The grave's a fine and private place,
But none I think do there embrace.
Now therefore, while the youthful hue
Sits on thy skin like morning dew,
And while thy willing soul transpires
At every pore with instant fires,
Now let us sport us while we may;
And now, like am'rous birds of prey,
Rather at once our time devour,
Than languish in his slow-chapp'd power.
Let us roll all our strength, and all
Our sweetness, up into one ball;
And tear our pleasures with rough strife S mbinm plcerile cu ceart
Thorough the iron gates of life.
Thus, though we cannot make our sun
Stand still, yet we will make him run.
Matthew Prior (1664-1721)
De timp i lume am avea,
Sfiala, doamn, n-ar fi rea;
Am sta jos, ne-am gndi ce-am petrece,
Ne-am tot plimba,n ziua dragostei ce trece;
Tu pe malul indian al Gangelui,
Ai afla rubine; eu n timpul fluxului
A plnge-n englezul Humber. Ne-am iubi cu foc
Zece ani nainte de Potop ;
i dac vrei, poi amna,
Pn ce iudeii s-ar cretina;
Iubirea-mi vegetal ar crete uor
Mai mare ca imperiile, doar c mai ncetior.
i sute de ani a ngenunchea,
S-i pot zri ochi i fruntea.
Dou sute s-i ador pieptul,
i-nc trei mii, restul;
O er cel puin, fiecare parte a-i cuta
i-n zilele din urm, inima i-a arta.
Cci, doamna mea, merii acest destin,
Nu merii a fi iubit mai puin.
Dar tot aud n spate,
Cum iute trece-un car de clipe-naripate;
i ntre noi apar n cale
Deerturi de venicie.
Frumuseea n-o mai aflu nc,
Nici nu mai sun-n boli de stnc
Ecoul cntului meu; viermii dau trcoale
S-i ia neprihnita curie;
i rafinata ta onoare se-ntoarce- n rn,
i-n achii plcerea se frm.
Mormntu-i un sla ginga i privat,
Gndesc c-acolo nu-i de-mbriat.
Deci, acum, cnd culoarea tinereii
St-n pielea ta ca roua dimineii
Iar sufletu-i doritor a transpirat
Cu fiecare por un foc nemsurat,
S ne grbim ct mai avem suflare;
Acuma, n amorul nost de psri rpitoare,
n timpul sta cu colii s ne frngem,
S-avem tria s ne stingem.
S folosim puterea cu dulcea
S mergem la balul din via;
Prin fierul dintr-a vieii poart.
nct, dei n-avem un nou soare
Care s stea, hai s-l lsm s zboare.
Domin scena literar la cumpna dintre secole, inaugurnd genul vers de societ ( vers de
societate), prin intermediul cruia orienteaz lirica nspre limbajul cotidian al epocii. n paralel cu
o activitate poetic, ntreprinde o serie de campanii diplomatice, jucnd un rol semnificativ n
cadrul pcii de la Ryswick (1697), care pune capt rzboiului marii alianei, purtat de puterile
europene mpotriva lui Ludovic XIV. n 1698, este ales membru al Societii Regale din Londra.
n 1701, devine membru al Parlamentului. n aceast perioad, se lanseaz n jurnalism,
ntreinnd polemici cu Daniel Defoe. n 1709, nfiineaz organul de pres al partidului
conservator (tory), The Examiner (Examinatorul). Atunci redacteaz epopeea Solomon despre
deertciunea lumii (Solomon on the Vanity of the World), care-i aduce o popularitate deosebit.
n 1715, este arestat din cauza implicrii n comploturi contra casei de Hanovra. Acolo scrie
capodopera sa, Henry i Emma. Moare la 18 decembrie 1721.

A True Maid O adevrat doamn

No, no; for my virginity, Nu, nu, pe fecioria mea,
When I lose that, says Rose, Ill die: Dac-o pierd, zice Rose, mor:
Behind the elms, last night, cried Dick, Sub ulmi, plnge Dick, azi noapte,
Rose, were you not extremely sick? Rose, nu erai bolnav de moarte?

Ode Od

The merchant, to secure his treasure Negustorul, ca marfa s-i apere

Conveys it in a borrowed name; O acoper c-un nume mprumutat;
Euphelia serves to grace my measure Euphelia vrea graia s-mi msoare
But Cloe is my real flame. Dar Cloe mi-e focul luminat.

My softest verse, my darling lyre Draga mea lir,versuri profunde,

Upon Euphelias toilet lay; Stau pe hainele Eupheliei;
When Cloe noted her desire Cnd Cloe observ dorina ce-o ascunde
That I should sing, that I should play. Eu vreau s cnt acordul melodiei.

My lyre I tune,my voice I raise, Mi-acord lira, mi ridic vocea,

But with my numbers mix my sighs; Dar cu numerele msor priviri;
And whilst I sing Euphelias praise i-n timp ce-o laud pe Euphelia
I fix my soul on Cloes eyes. Sufletul vede-n ochii Cloei luciri.

Fair Cloe blushed; Euphelia frowned Mndra Cloe roete; Euphelia se mnie
I sung and gazed; I played and trembled Cnt i privesc; tremur i-ntonez o melodie
And Venus to the Loves around i Venus cu Amoraii ei din jur
Remarked how ill we all dissembled. Observ ce ru e n ipocrizie.

Charles Wesley (1707-1788)

A fost al 18-lea fiu (din cei 19) ai preotului anglican Samuel Wesley i al soiei sale, Susannah.
Se spune c s-a nscut prematur i a fost salvat n chip miraculos. Beneficiind de cultura clasic
a prinilor si, ajunge la Universitatea din Oxford, unde se dedic studiilor biblice, iniiind
alturi de unul din fraii si (John), micarea metodist. n 1735, pleac alturi de John ntr-o
activitate de misionariat n America. Charles Wesley este considerat drept cel mai mare creator
de imnuri religioase, atribuindu-i-se circa 8989 de piese, multe dintre ele devenite celebre.

Come away to the Skies Vino din Ceruri

Come away to the Skies, my beloved, arise Vino din Ceruri, draga mea, tenal
And rejoice in the day thou wast born; i bucur-te de ziua n care te-ai nscut;
On this festival day, come exulting away, n ziua asta de praznic, vino n extaz,
And with singing to Zion return. Cntnd Sionul refcut.

We have led up our love and our treasure above, Am lsat deoparte iubirea i bogia de sus,
Though our bodies continue below. Dar trupul coboar mai jos.
The Redeemed of the Lord will remember His Word Domnul cel nviat i va aminti Cuvntul
And with singing to paradise go. i-om merge n rai melodios.

Now with singing and praise let us spend all the days n cntri i laude ne petrecem zilele toate
By our heavenly Father bestowed De Tatl ceresc menii
While His grace we receive from His bounty, and live Cnd mntuirea-o primim n dar, i trim
To the honor and glory of God. n onoarea Domnului preamrit.

For the glory we were first created to share, C-n slav fost-am creai s-avem,
Both the nature and kingdom divine, Natura i regatul divin,
Now created again that our lives may remain Acuma suntem iari creai ca vieile noastre s fie
Througout time and eternity Thine. Departe de timp i-n a Ta venicie deplin.

We with thanks do approve the design Cu mulumire aprobm proiectul senin

Of that love that hath joined us to Jesus Name; Al dragostei ce ne-a adunat sub Numele de Iisus;
Now united in heart, let us never more part, Acum , unii n inimi, s nu ne mai desprim,
Till we meet at the Feast of the Lamb. Pn ne ntlnim la Ospul Mielului.

There, Oh! there at His feet, we shall all likewise meet, Acolo, vai! La picioarele, toi o s ne gsim,
And be parted in body no more; Cu trupul nedesprit;
We shall sing to our lyres, with the heavenly choirs, i o s cntm din lire, cu coruri cereti,
And our Savior in glory adore. i o s-l adorm pe Mntuitorul slvit.

Hallelujah! we sing to our Father and King, Aleluia! Cntm ctre Tat i Rege,
And His rapturous praises repeat: i rugile Sale voluptoase aduc un ecou:
To the Lamb that was slain, Hallelujah again! Ctre Mielul jupuit, Aleluia-ndoit!
Sing all Heaven and fall at His feet! S cnte tot Cerul, cznd la picioarele Sale din nou!
Charlotte Turner Smith (1749-1806)

Poet i romancier englez, cunoscut pentru iniierea unei micri de revitalizare a sonetului( Sonete
Elegiace,1784) i prin romanele sale de o sensibilitate gotic: Emmelina, orfana de la castel
(Emmeline, or the Orphan of the Castle, 1788), Ethelinda, pustnica din lac (Ethelinde, or the
Recluse of the Lake, 1789), Celestina (1791), Desmond (1792), Vechiul conac (The Old Manor
House, 1793), Rtcirile lui Warwick (The Wanderings of Warwick, 1794), Proscrisul (The
Banished Man, 1794), Montalbert (1795), Marchmont (1796), Tnrul filosof (The Young
Philosopher, 1798). A fost una din precursorii feminismului.

Pressd by the Moon (Sonnet XLIV) Apsat de Lun

Press'd by the Moon, mute arbitress of tides, Apsat de Lun,mersul mut al mareelor,
While the loud equinox its power combines, Se-mbin cu echinoxul iptor,
The sea no more its swelling surge confines, Marea nu mic talazul valurilor,
But o'er the shrinking land sublimely rides. Retrgndu-i apele sublim, de-alungul rmurilor.
The wild blast, rising from the Western cave, Ce sunet slbatic rzbate n peterile dinspre-asfinit,
Drives the huge billows from their heaving bed; Ducnd valurile n mictorul cort;
Tears from their grassy tombs the village dead, Ca lacrimi n verdele mormnt al satului mort,
And breaks the silent sabbath of the grave! Spulbernd-un sabat linitit!
With shells and sea-weed mingled, on the shore Cu scoici si fructe de mare aruncate, pe mal,
Lo! their bones whiten in the frequent wave; Privete! Aici-s oase albite de-un val obinuit;
But vain to them the winds and waters rave; Un necaz de ap i vnt vestit;
They hear the warring elements no more: Elementele nu s-aud n fundal:
While I am doom'dby life's long storm opprest, Condamnat la o via furtunoas,
To gaze with envy on their gloomy rest. Pe funebra odihn-s invidioas.
William Blake (1757-1827)
Figur legendar,unul din marii mistici ai Angliei. Nscut dintr-o familie de puritani radicali,
adepi ai lui Swedenborg, tnrul William are tot soiul de revelaii pe care le transpune n
pictur i poezie, unde dovedete un talent deosebit. Vocaia sa este dezvoltat n timpul uceniciei
n atelierul gravorului James Basire, unde o ntlnete pe Catherine Sophia Boucher, de care se
ndrgostete. Se cstorete cu ea n 1782. n aceast perioad, are loc moartea fratelui su,
Robert, n timpul unui accident la uzin; eveniment ce-l afecteaz profund, determinndu-l s
adopte o conduit vehement anti-industrial, care capt nuane din ce n ce mai radicale odat
cu ptrunderea n cercurile liberalului Joseph Johnson, unde recepteaz idei din filosofia
Luminilor. n 1788, Blake este dat afar de la Academia Regal de Pictur, prezidat de
arhicunoscutul Sir Joshua Reynolds, din pricina unor pamflete politico-religioase. Sprijinit de
sculptorul John Flaxman i pictorul Henry Fuseli, artistul se stabilete n Nordul Londrei, la
Lambeth, unde desfoar o activitate autodidact, concretizat n cristalizarea unei mitologii
personale, pornind de la surse cabalistice. Aceasta este expus ntr-o serie de poeme epopeice,
unde poezia se mbin cu pictura i gravura, printr-o tehnic specific, influenat de manuscrisele
medievale.n 1818, l instruiete pe tnrul pictor John Linnell, mpreun cu care lucreaz la
ilustrarea Crii lui Iov i a Divinei Comediei. Moare la 12 august 1827, n preajma soiei sale.
Manuscrisele sale sunt motenite de Frederick Tatham. Acesta elaboreaz o selecie drastic,
arznd o parte din ele. Necunoscut n timpul vieii sale, este adus n atenia publicului de
biografia lui Alexander Gilchrist (publicat n 1863) i de micarea prerafaelit, prin contribuia
lui Dante Gabriel Rossetti, care cumpr o parte din manuscrisele lui Tatham. De atunci, se
bucur de o popularitate deosebit, meninut pn n zilele noastre (unde ocup poziia 38 n
topul personalitilor britanice5).

I Heard an Angel Un nger se-auzea

I heard an Angel singing Un nger cntnd se-auzea

When the day was springing; Cnd ziua rsrea;
Mercy, Pity, Peace Mil, Pace, ndurare
Is the worlds release . Este -a lumii eliberare.

Thus he sung all day, Ziua se-auzi un cnt,

Over the new mown hay , Lng cpia de fn,
Till the sun went down Pn soarele a scptat
And haycocks looked brown . i fnul s-a uscat.

I heard a Devil curse Se-auzi un demon blestemnd

Over the heath and the furze; Cmpia i tufiul arznd;
Mercy could be no more, Mil n-ar trebui s fie,
If there was nobody poor, De n-ar fi srcie,

And pity no more could be Nici ndurare n-ar fi apoi,

If all were as happy as we. De toi ar fi voioi ca noi.
At his curse the sun went down La blestemul su soarele -a asfinit
And the heavens gave a frown. Iar cerurile-au tresrit.

Down pourd the heavy rain, Sub ploaia deas,

Over the new reapd grain, Peste recolta culeas
5
ww.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-134458/100-great-Britons--A-complete-list.html
And Miseries increase i mult-ntristare
Is Mercy, Pity, Peace. Mil, Pace, ndurare.

Cradle Song Cntec de leagn

Sleep, sleep, beauty bright, Dormi, dormi, frumoas lumin,

Dreaming in the joys of night; Visnd n noaptea senin;
Sleep, sleep; in thy sleep Dormi, dormi; n somn adnc
Little sorrows sit and weep. Mici necazuri stau i plng.

Sweet babe, in thy face Dulce prunc, pe faa ta

Soft desires I can trace, Dorine ascunse pot lsa,
Secret joys and secret smiles Fericiri i zmbete secrete
Little pretty infant wiles. Mici i drglae plnsete.

As thy softest limbs I feel Pe cele mai gingae mini simt

Smiles as of the morning steal Zmbete ca dimineaa la tocmit
Oer thy cheek and oer thy breast Peste obraz i peste frunte
Where thy little heart doth rest. Unde inimioara-i ptrunde.

O the cunning wiles that creep irete plnsete ce-ncremenesc

In thy little heart asleep! n inimioare ce-aipesc!
When thy little heart doth wake Cnd inimioara-i se trezete
Then the dreadful night shall break. Crunta noapte risipete.
William Wordsworth (1770-1850)

Unul din Poeii Lacurilor. S-a nscut n zona Lake District, cunoscut pentru frumuseea
peisajelor, ntr-o familie de avocai. Rmas orfan nc de la o vrst fraged, este crescut de
nite rude. Dup ce absolvete coala din satul su natal, urmeaz cursurile Universitii de la
Cambridge, unde recepteaz ideile lui Jean Jacques Rousseau, sub egida crora ntreprinde o
cltorie n Elveia. n 1791, pleac la Paris, pentru a susine ideile revoluiei franceze, dar
sufer o decepie crunt, n urma instaurrii iacobinilor. Se-ntoarce n Anglia, unde se ntlnete
cu Samuel Taylor Coleridge, mpreun cu care public n 1798 volumul Balade Lirice (Lyrical
Ballads,1795), promovnd o revizuire a tonului poetic tradiional, prin orientarea acestuia ctre
simplitate i spontaneitate. Se remarc printr-un naturalism cu accente mistice, numit i panteism
wordsworthian.

The Solitary Reaper Secertorul solitar

Behold her, single in the field,
Yon solitary Highland Lass!
Reaping and singing by herself;
Stop here, or gently pass!
Alone she cuts and binds the grain,
And sings a melancholy strain;
O listen! for the Vale profound
Is overflowing with the sound.
Privete ,e singur-n cmp,
Solitara fat din Highland!
Secer i-i cnt ei nsei;
Oprete-te,sau peti galant!
Tind i secernd grul,singuratic,
Ea cnt o melodie melancolic;
Ascult!cum ntreaga vale,
Se umple de a ei cntare.

No Nightingale did ever chaunt Nici o privighetoare nu a cntat

More welcome notes to weary bands
Of travellers in some shady haunt,
Among Arabian sands:
A voice so thrilling ne'er was heard
In spring-time from the Cuckoo-bird,
Breaking the silence of the seas
Among the farthest Hebrides.
Mai binevoitoare note ctre obositele bande
Ale cltorilor dintr-un inut nnegurat,
De-a lungul nisipurilor arabe;
O voce att de tandr nu s-a auzit
Primvara l-al cucului ciripit,
Rupnd linitea mrilor
Din colul ndeprtat al Hebridelor.

Will no one tell me what she sings?--
Perhaps the plaintive numbers flow
For old, unhappy, far-off things,
And battles long ago:
Or is it some more humble lay,
Familiar matter of to-day?
Some natural sorrow, loss, or pain,
That has been, and may be again?
Nimeni nu-mi spune ce-a cntat?-
Probabil trecerea nefericitului tumult
Al lucrului vechi,trist,ndeprtat,
i-al btliilor de demult:
Sau e mai mult un plns al celor sraci,
Att de familiar n ziua de azi?
Vreo durere natural,pierdere sau prere de ru,
Ce-a fost ,i poate fi mereu?

Whate'er the theme, the Maiden sang Indiferent ce tem,fecioara cnt

As if her song could have no ending;
I saw her singing at her work,
And o'er the sickle bending;--
I listened, motionless and still;
And, as I mounted up the hill,
The music in my heart I bore,
Long after it was heard no more.
O muzic ce nu prea a avea sfrit;
Am vzut-o cntnd la munc,
Cu secera de treierit;-
Am ascultat ,nemicat , calm,vrjit;
Iar cum am urcat pe deal,
Muzica n inim am simit,
Chiar de nu s-a mai auzit.
She was a Phantom of Delight
SHE was a Phantom of delight
When first she gleamed upon my sight;
A lovely Apparition, sent
To be a moment's ornament;
Her eyes as stars of Twilight fair
Like Twilight's, too, her dusky hair;
But all things else about her drawn
From May-time and the cheerful Dawn;
A dancing Shape, an Image gay,
To haunt, to startle, and way-lay.
I saw her upon nearer view,
A Spirit, yet a Woman too!
Her household motions light and free,
And steps of virgin-liberty;
A countenance in which did meet
Sweet records, promises as sweet;
A Creature not too bright or good
For human nature's daily food;
For transient sorrows, simple wiles,
Praise, blame, love, kisses, tears, and smiles.
And now I see with eye serene
The very pulse of the machine;
A Being breathing thoughtful breath,
A Traveller between life and death;
The reason firm, the temperate will,
Endurance, foresight, strength, and skill;
A perfect Woman, nobly planned,
To warn, to comfort, and command;
And yet a Spirit still, and bright
With something of angelic light.
Era un spirit al bucuriei
Era un spirit al bucuriei
Cand zrit-a fost de ochii mei;
A cerului,ginga,trimis artare
S fie a clipei desftare;
Ochii,mndre lumini ale apusului
Intunecatu-i pr,splendorea amurgului;
Dar totul e n chipul ei
O dulce zi de mai in zorii zilei;
O Umbr dansnd,o Imagine fermectoare,
Ce bntuie,pzete, devine-nfricotoare.
Am ntrezrit-o printr-o privire apropiat,
Ca Spirit,dei era o Fat!
O vedenie rustic,slobod, uoar
i paii liberi de fecioar;
Un chip n care putui zri
Fgduiala dulce-a amintirii;
Creaie nu tocmai bun sau lucioas
Pentru bucatele de pe mas;
Dureri trectoare,dorine mrunte
Rugi,invinuiri,iubiri,srutri i zmbete.
i-acum eu vd cu ochi senini
Firea cu suflu divin;
O fiin ce toat suflarea o simte,
Un cltor intre via i moarte;
Gndirea nsi,o potrivit dorin,
Trinicie,viziune,vraj, putin;
O nobil fat,mldios tocmit
Poruncii i viziunii menit;
Dar totui e-un spirit,unul lucitor
Cu ceva din lumina ngerilor.
I Wandered Lonely as a Cloud
I wandered lonely as a cloud
That floats on high o'er vales and hills,
When all at once I saw a crowd,
A host, of golden daffodils;
Beside the lake, beneath the trees,
Fluttering and dancing in the breeze.
Continuous as the stars that shine
And twinkle on the milky way,
They stretched in never-ending line
Along the margin of a bay:
Ten thousand saw I at a glance,
Tossing their heads in sprightly dance.
The waves beside them danced; but they
Out-did the sparkling waves in glee:
A poet could not but be gay,
In such a jocund company:
I gazedand gazedbut little thought
What wealth the show to me had brought:
For oft, when on my couch I lie
In vacant or in pensive mood,
They flash upon that inward eye
Which is the bliss of solitude;
And then my heart with pleasure fills,
And dances with the daffodils.
Rtcii singur ca un nor
Rtcii singur ca un nor
Plutind pe-nalte vi i dealuri,
Cnd deodat vd nite flori,
Un cmp de narcise aurii;
Lng copaci,in jurul lacului,
Fluturnd i dansnd in btaia vntului.
Asemeni stelelor ce-au strlucit
Clipind prin Calea Laptelui,
Se-nvrt n cerc frde sfrit,
Pe rmul golfului;
Vzut-am zece mii,legnndu-se
In dans neobosit florile ntorcndu-se.
n spate valurile dansau
Sprgndu-se ,fericite , se-opreau:
Poetul nu putea dect voios s fie,
ntr-o astfel de mrea armonie:
Privii,privii,dar puin am mai zrit
Ceea ce privelitea mi-a druit:
Adesea, cnd m-ntind n dormitor
n starea gndirii i meditrii,
Lumineaz interiorul ochilor
Ce-i bucuria linitii;
i astfel inima-mi de plcere vibreaz
i cu narcisele danseaz.
Joseph Blanco White (Jos Maria Blanco y Crespo, 1775-1841)

Poet i teolog spaniol, cu strmoi irlandezi, stabilit n Anglia n 1810. Este cunoscut n special
pentru sonetul Ctre Noapte (To Night), publicat n 1828 i dedicat lui Samuel Taylor Coleridge,
care reprezint un punct de referin n lirica romantic englez.

To Night Ctre Noapte

MYSTERIOUS Night! when our first parent knew
Thee from report divine, and heard thy name,
Did he not tremble for this lovely frame,
This glorious canopy of light and blue?
Yet neath a curtain of translucent dew,
Bathed in the rays of the great setting flame,
Hesperus with the host of heaven came,
And lo! Creation widened in mans view.
Misterioas noapte!cnd primul strmo te tia
Auzind al tu nume dintr-un raport divin,
Nu tremura naintea chipului senin
Ce nvluia cu azur mantia?
Cnd translucida rou esu o perdea,
Scldndu-te n foc deplin,
Hesperus i alaiul su de lumini,
ntreaga lume s-a creat! Omul te privea.

Who could have thought such darkness lay concealed
Within thy beams, O sun! or who could find,
Whilst fly and leaf and insect stood revealed,
That to such countless orbs thou madst us blind!
Why do we then shun death with anxious strife?
If Light can thus deceive, wherefore not Life?
Cine s-a gndit c petele de- ntuneric ascundeau
Lumina ta, o, soare! Cine a gsit
Cnd insectele zburtoare pe frunze se-aezau,
Vedenia mreei sfere ce ne-a orbit!
De ce vedem n moarte-o lupt amenintoare?
Dac lumina trdeaz, nu poate i viaa oare?
Thomas Moore ( 1779-1852)

Bardul Irlandei. S-a nscut la 28 mai 1779, la Dublin, n prvlia unui bcan. nc de la vrst
fraged, a manifestat un interes deosebit pentru muzic i teatru, dorind s urmeze o carier de
actor. n 1795, se nscrie la Trinity College, Dublin, unde intr n contact cu idei naionaliste. n
1797, ntreprinde o aciune etnografic. n 1799, pleac la Londra, intrnd sub patronajul
Lordului Moira, care-l introduce n ambiana curii regale. Cu acest prilej, se lanseaz n
activitatea literar, prin libreturi de oper.n 1803, ntreprinde o cltorie n America. Se rentoarce
n Anglia 5 ani mai trziu, cnd public volumul Melodii irlandeze (Irish Melodies), care-i aduce
celebritatea. n 1811, se cstorete cu actria Elizabeth Dyke i stabilete relaii de prietenie cu
Byron. ncepe s scrie pamflete politice, care-i cauzeaz dizgraia, determinndu-l s prseasc
Anglia n 1818, pentru a ntreprinde o cltorie pe Continent. n acest timp, public poemele
orientale Lalla Rookh i Iubirile ngerilor (The Loves of the Angels), povestiri satirice i o
biografie despre dramaturgul Richard Brinsley Sheridan. Se-ntoarce n Anglia n 1827, unde se
angajeaz n sprijinirea cauzei irlandezilor catolici. n 1830, public Viaa lui Byron i este invitat
la Curte, unde interpreteaz un duet n faa viitoarei regine Victoria. Ultimii ani ai vieii sunt
marcai de moartea fiilor si i de o boal care-i aduce sfritul la 26 februarie 1852. Multe din
poemele lui Moore au constituit punctul de pornire al creaiei unor compozitori precum Robert
Schumann, Hector Berlioz, Benjamin Britten etc.

The Meeting over the Waters ntlnirea dintre ape

There is not in the wide world a valley so sweet n lumea-ntreag nu-i o vale aa dulce
As that vale in whose bosom the bright waters meet; Ca valea care dou ape lucii aduce;
Oh! the last rays of feeling and life must depart, Oh! Cele din urm raze de simuri i via s-au dus,
Ere the bloom of that valley shall fade from my heart. Nainte ca floarea din vale s-aduc-al inimii apus.

Yet it was not that nature had shed o'er the scene N-a fost natura ce m-aruncat de pe piedestal
Her purest of crystal and brightest of green; Ci luciul verde i cel mai curat cristal;
'Twas not her soft magic of streamlet or hill, N-a fost magia subtil de la pru sau colin,
Oh! no, -- it was something more exquisite still. Oh! Nu; a fost chestie mult mai lin.

Twas that friends, the beloved of my bosom,were near, Fost-au aproape prietenii i iubita la sn,
Who made every dear scene of enchantment more dear, Fcnd fiecare act mai divin,
And who felt how the best charms of nature improve, Simind cum farmecele naturii preuiesc,
When we see them reflected from looks that we love. Mrindu-i reflexia cu priviri ce iubesc.

Sweet vale of Avoca! how calm could I rest Scump ru Avoca! Odihneti uor
In thy bosom of shade, with the friends I love best, n snu-i umbros, cu prieteni de dor,
Where the storms that we feel in this cold world should cease, Unde furtuna simit-n lumea rece ia sfrit,
And our hearts, like thy waters, be mingled in peace. i inimile, ca apele tale, s-au linitit.
The Last Rose of Summer
TIS the last rose of summer
Left blooming alone;
All her lovely companions
Are faded and gone;
No flower of her kindred,
No rosebud is nigh,
To reflect back her blushes,
To give sigh for sigh.
Ill not leave thee, thou lone one!
To pine on the stem;
Since the lovely are sleeping,
Go, sleep thou with them.
Thus kindly I scatter
Thy leaves oer the bed,
Where thy mates of the garden
Lie scentless and dead.
So soon may I follow,
When friendships decay,
And from Loves shining circle
The gems drop away.
When true hearts lie withered
And fond ones are flown,
Oh! who would inhabit
This bleak world alone?
Ultimul trandafir al verii
E-ultimul trandafir al verii
Lsat s-nfloreasc singur;
Toi fraii si delicai
S-au ofilit,pierit-au din jur;
Nicio floare de acest soi,
Niciun boboc nu-i acolo,
S-i reflecte roeaa,
S-arunce o privire ncolo.
Nu te las, solitarul meu trandafir!
Pe tulpin s tnjeti;
Cum dorm florile gingae,
Du-te l-ai ti, s te-odihneti.
Aa mprtii pe pat,
Frunzele-i pline de parfum;
Unde fraii ti din grdin
Sunt mori, fcui scrum.
Repede te-nsoesc,
Cnd prieteniile pier,
Iar din lumina sferei Iubirii
Cad podoabe din cer.
Cnd inimi curate plesc
i cei dragi s-au ofilit,
Oh! Cine-ar sllui
Singur, n ntunericul nesfrit?
Lord Byron (George Gordon Noel Byron, 1788-1824)
Personalitate legendar, devenit simbol al ideii revoluionare. Cunoscut att pentru activitatea
literar, ct i pentru viaa sa aventuroas, presrat de intrigi, scandaluri,datorii idile, aciuni
subversive, Byron a reprezentat un soi de homo universalis, cu o cultur enciclopedic. Pe linie
patern, descinde din stirpea lui Edward III; pe linie matern, din cea a lui Iacob I. S-a nscut
cu o malformaie, care l-a fcut s devin dependent de laudanum. n 1805, urmeaz cursurile de
la Trinity College, Cambridge. n 1806, public primul su volum de poezie. n 1809, i ocup
locul n Parlament. Sub ndrumarea prietenului su, John Cam Hobhouse, ntreprinde o cltorie
n Portugalia, Spania, Italia i Imperiul Otoman. Este fascinat de traiul oriental. Se ntoarce n
Anglia n 1811, intrnd ntr-o aventur sentimental cu Lady Caroline Lamb. n 1815, se
cstorete cu Anna Isabella Millbanke, de care divoreaz un an mai trziu. Este nevoit s
prseasc la 25 aprilie 1816, din pricina scandalului legat de relaia sa incestuoas cu sora sa
vitreg, Augusta Leigh. Se stabilete n Elveia i apoi n Italia mpreun cu familia prietenului
su, Percy Bysshe Shelley. Particip la ntruniri de-ale carbonarilor. La 14 aprilie 1823, se
ndreapt spre Grecia, pentru a sprijini populaia n rzboiul de independen. Moare de malarie
n tabra de la Missolonghi, la 19 aprilie 1824. Un asteroid descoperit n 1979 poart numele
su.

Opera

Piese Fugare (Fugitive Pieces, 1806)

Ceasuri de trndvie (Hours of Idleness, 1807)
Barzi englezi i critici scoieni (English Bards and Scotch Reviewers, 1809)
Rtcirile infantelui Harold (Childe Harolds Pilgrimage,1812-1818)
Ghiaurul (The Giaour, 1813)
Mireasa din Abydos (The Bride of Abydos, 1813)
Corsarul (The Corsair, 1814)
Lara (1814)
Melodii ebraice (Hebrew Melodies, 1815)
Asediul Corintului (The Siege of Corinth, 1816)
Parisina(1816)
Prizonierul din Chillon (The Prisonier of Chillon,1816)
Visul (The Dream,1816)
Prometeu( Prometheus,1816)
ntuneric (Darkness, 1816)
Manfred (1817)
Tnguirea lui Tasso (The Lament of Tasso, 1817)
Beppo (1818)
Mazeppa (1819)
Profeia lui Dante (The Prophecy of Dante, 1819)
Marino Faliero (1820)
Sardanapal (1821)
Cain(1821)
Cei doi Foscari (The Two Foscari, 1821)
Viziunea Judecii (The Vision of Judgement,1821)
Cer i Pmnt (Heaven and Earth, 1821)
Werner (1822)
Schimbarea schilodului (The Deformed Transformed, 1822)
Epoca bronzului (The Age of Bronze, 1823)
Insula (The Island, 1823)
Don Juan (neterminat)
Fragment de roman
She Walks in Beauty Ea umbl-n splendoare

She walks in beauty, like the night Ea umbl-n splendoare, ca noaptea

Of cloudless climes and starry skies;
And all thats best of dark and bright
Meet in her aspect and her eyes;
Thus mellowed to that tender light
Which heaven to gaudy day denies.
Din rile senine cu cerul nstelat;
Binele, umbra i lumina ncaltea
Zreti n ochi i-n chipu-i luminat;
Aa ferice luna licrea
Lucirea zilei cerul i-a luat.

One shade the more, one ray the less, Mai mult umbroas, mai puin lucioas
Had half impaired the nameless grace E-o graie delicat;
Which waves in every raven tress, Cosia-i de corb, unduioas
Or softly lightens oer her face; Palida fa-i luminat;
Where thoughts serenely sweet express, Senina-i minte duioas
How pure, how dear their dwelling-place. Creeaz-o lume att de drag i curat.

And on that cheek, and oer that brow,
So soft, so calm, yet eloquent,
The smiles that win, the tints that glow,
But tell of days in goodness spent,
A mind at peace with all below,
A heart whose love is innocent!
Pe obraz i peste frunte,
Gritoare, calm, linitit,
Biruie fericirea, cuminte,
Amintind de clipa strlucit,
Gnduri panice are-n minte
O inim cu iubire neprihnit!

Percy Bysshe Shelley (1792-1822)

Figur-simbol a romantismului englez, alturi de John Keats i Lord Byron. S-a nscut la 4
august 1792 la Horsham, n Sudul Angliei, n familia parlamentarului liberal Sir Timothy Shelley
i a soiei acestuia, Elizabeth Pilford. n 1804, urmeaz cursurile de la Eton College, unde se
revolt mpotriva conducerii i a metodelor rudimentare de educaie, crendu-i o reputaie
proast, ilustrat prin porecle ca Shelley nebunul sau Shelley ateul. n aceast perioad, se ocup
de studii clasice i tiine ale naturii. n 1810, se nscrie la Universitatea din Oxford, unde are
loc debutul su literar, prin romanele gotice Zastrozzi i St. Irvyne sau Rozicrucianul. La 25
martie 1811, este extramiculat din pricina pamfletului su Necesitatea ateismului, redactat
mpreun cu prietenul su Thomas Jefferson Hogg. Pleac n ara Galilor, unde o cunoate pe
Harriet Westbrook, cu care se cstorete n secret la 28 august. Cei doi se stabilesc la Keswick,
n Lake District, unde intr n legtur cu revoluionari irlandezi. Aa ajunge s fie pus sub
urmrirea poliiei. n iunie 1814, este prsit de Harriet i face cunotin cu fiica lui Godwin,
Mary, care devine soia lui la 30 decembrie 1816. La 11 martie 1818, se mbolnvete de
plmni i pleac la tratament n Italia. Moare la 8 iulie 1822. Cadavrul su este incinerat la 16
august pe plaja de la Via Reggio, iar cenua rezultat este trimis ntr-o urm la Roma i
ngropat n cimitirul protestant. Shelley a lsat o oper poetic vast, de o mare diversitate
tematic i rafinament stilistic.

Ozymandias Ozymandias
I met a traveller from an antique land, M-ntlnii ntr-un inut antic c-un tip,
Who said: Two vast and trunkless legs of stone Ce zise: Dou uriae buci de piatr
Stand in the desert. Near them, on the sand, Fr trunchi stau n pustie. Acolo, pe nisip,
Half sunk, a shattered visage lies, whose frown, Aproape scufundat, st o spart figur,
And wrinkled lip, and sneer of cold command, ncruntat, cu rget de porunci reci i riduri pe chip,
Tell that its sculptor well those passions read Ce zic c sculptorul cu miestrie pasiunea-a citit
Which yet survive, stamped on these lifeless things, Care supravieuiete,pe relieful unor lucruri reci,
The hand that mocked them and the heart that fed: Minii ce le-a batjocorit i inimii ce le-a hrnit:
And on the pedestal these words appear: Pe piedestal o inscripie apare:
My name is Ozymandias, king of kings, M cheam Ozymandias, rege ntre regi,
Look on my works, ye Mighty, and despair! Privete lucrurile mele, Slvite, cu disperare!
Nothing beside remains. Round the decay Nimic nu rmne din mine. n jurul declinului
Of that colossal wreck, boundless and bare Epavei colosale, goale i venice
The lone and level sands stretch far away. Se-ntind doar singuraticele dune ale deertului.

Indian Serenade Serenad indian

I arise from dreams of thee Rsar din visele tale
In the first sweet sleep of night, n dulcele somn al nopilor,
When the winds are breathing low, Cnd vntul adie,
And the stars are shining bright: i stele lumineaz lucitor:
I arise from dreams of thee, Rsar din visele tale
And a spirit in my feet i- un spirit n picioare
Hath led mewho knows how? M duce-cine tie ?-
To thy chamber window, Sweet! Drag,la fereastra camerei!

The wandering airs they faint Rtcitoare miresme fonesc,

On the dark, the silent stream n valul linitit, ntunecat-
The Champak odours fail Cade parfumul magnoliei mbietor
Like sweet thoughts in a dream; Ca gnduri de-un vis delicat;
The Nightingale's complaint, Privighetori bocesc,
It dies upon her heart; Murind de inim rea; -
As I must on thine, O,ar trebui s mor cu tine
Oh, belovd as thou art! Preaiubita mea!

Oh lift me from the grass! O,scoate-m din iarb!

I die! I faint! I fail!
Let thy love in kisses rain
On my lips and eyelids pale.
My cheek is cold and white, alas!
My heart beats loud and fast;
Oh! press it to thine own again,
Where it will break at last.
Lein,cad,mor!
Las i iubirea n srutri de ploaie
Pe buzele i sprncenele pale.
Obrazu-mi este rcoros i alb,curnd!
Inima-mi bate ncet i cu putere;-
O!vin din nou lng tine,
Unde ea se frnge de durere.

Felicia Dorothea Hemans (1793-1835)

Felicia Dorothea Browne s-a nscut la 25 septembrie 1793, la Liverpool, ntr-o familie de origine
veneian. i-a petrecut copilria n ara Galilor. La 14 ani public un volum de poezii care
strnete admiraia lui Shelley. n 1812 se cstorete cu cpitanul Alfred Hemans, cruia-i
druiete 5 copii. Dup 6 ani de csnicie, se desparte de el i se dedic unei cariere literare.
Public poezii, scrieri istorice i tratate de critic de art. Din 1831, se stabilete n Irlanda. A
cultivat o liric sentimental, cu accente religioase.

Flight of the Spirit Zborul spiritului

Whither, oh! whither wilt thou wing thy way? n ce loc,ah!in ce loc aripa-i urmeaz calea?
What solemn region first upon thy sight Ce loc solemn vzut-ai de te-a mbiat
Shall break, unveiled for terror or delight? La fug, teroarea sau plcerea nu te-au speriat?
What hosts, magnificent in dread array, Ce soli magnifici i-au dat lucirea,
My spirit! when thy prison-house of clay Suflete al meu! Cum ai scpat de-nchisoarea
After long strife is rent? Fond, fruitless quest! rnii; a fost lung lupta?Plcerea-i zadarnic cutat!
The unfledged bird, within his narrow nest, Pasrea fr aripi, n micul su cuib uitat,
Sees but a few green branches oer him play, Aude n jurul ei numai fonirea
And through their parting leaves, by fits revealed, Ramurilor din jur, mperecheate,
A glimpse of summer sky; nor knows the field Ce-acoper cerul vratic; astea-s revelate.
Wherein his dormant powers must yet be tried. Nu tie cmpul unde puterile sunt adunate.
Thou art that bird!--of what beyond thee lies Tu eti pasrea!-se afl lng tine
Far in the untracked immeasurable skies Nemrginirea din ceruri senine
Knowing but this--that thou shalt find thy guide! tii c-s neatinse- trebuie s-i afli poteci luminate!

John Keats (1795-1821)

Figur reprezentativ a romantismului englez. S-a nscut n 1795, de Halloween (31 octombrie),
ca fiu al unui bcan. Nu se cunosc prea multe date despre viaa lui, n afar de idila
sentimental cu Fanny Brawne, de prietenia cu Byron i Shelley i de tuberculoza care i-a
curmat viaa la doar 26 ani. De altfel, opera sa a fost cvasinecunoscut n epoc, fiind valorizat
abia de prerafaelii, care au vzut n el un precursor. A abordat teme legate de mitologia clasic
i epoca medieval, promovnd un stil arhaizant, avnd ca inspiraie trubadurii.

La Belle Dame sans Merci La Belle Dame sans Merci

O WHAT can ail thee, knight-at-arms, Ce-i pricinuie durere,tinere cavaler
Alone and palely loitering? Singur i cu pas ncetior?
The sedge has witherd from the lake, Pale-s trestiile -n jurul lacului,
And no birds sing. i- o pasre nu cnt n preajma lor.

O what can ail thee, knight-at-arms! Ce-i pricinuie durere,tinere cavaler!

So haggard and so woe-begone? Att de obosit ingndurat?
The squirrels granary is full, Proviziile veveriei-s pline,
And the harvests done. Iar recolta s-a terminat.

I see a lily on thy brow Un crin vzut-am pe frunte,

With anguish moist and fever dew, Plin de furie i-ncordare,
And on thy cheeks a fading rose i pe-obraji roze ofilite
Fast withereth too. Pline de paloare.

I met a lady in the meads, Zrii domnia n cmpul nflorit,

Full beautifula faerys child, Frumoas foc-a znelor fiic
Her hair was long, her foot was light, Cu pru-i lung,la picioare lumin,
And her eyes were wild. i ochii-i de o frumusee salbatic.

I made a garland for her head, mpletii cunun,i-o pusei pe cap,

And bracelets too, and fragrant zone; i cingtori de flori,plcut mirositoare;
She lookd at me as she did love, S-a uitat de parc i-a fi drag,
And made sweet moan. i-mi zise cu o voce-mbietoare.

I set her on my pacing steed, Am pus-o pe a clare,

And nothing else saw all day long, Altceva nu vzui ct e ziua de mare
For sidelong would she bend, and sing Din deprtri m-mbia, i-mi cnta
A faerys song. A znelor cntare.

She found me roots of relish sweet, Gsitu-mi-a tufiuri cu fragi dulci,

And honey wild, and manna dew, i miere slbatic,i man cereasc,
And sure in language strange she said Iar ntr-o limb stranie-mi zise
I love thee true. C o s m iubeasc.

She took me to her elfin grot, M duse -n petera fermecat,

And there she wept, and sighd fill sore, i plnse-acolo, i zise ngndurat,
And there I shut her wild wild eyes i-acolo nchisei slbaticii-i ochi
With kisses four. De patru ori fu srutat.

And there she lulled me asleep, i-acolo m-a adormit ,

And there I dreamdAh! woe betide! i-acolo am visat!ah!ce tenebros!
The latest dream I ever dreamd Ultimul vis ce l-avui odat
On the cold hills side. Pe coasta dealului rcoros.
I saw pale kings and princes too, Vzui pali regi i prini,
Pale warriors, death-pale were they all; Rzboinici pali-de o paloare de moarte;
They criedLa Belle Dame sans Merci Ce-au suspinat -La Belle Dame Sans Merci
Hath thee in thrall! Te ine-n captivitate.

I saw their starved lips in the gloam, Vzutu-le-am flmndele buze livide,
With horrid warning gaped wide, Pline de blestem ntunecos,
And I awoke and found me here, i m trezii i m-am gsit aici,
On the cold hills side. Pe coasta dealului rcoros.

And this is why I sojourn here, i de- aceea rtcesc aici,

Alone and palely loitering, Singur i cu mers ncetior;
Though the sedge is witherd from the lake, Dei-s pale trestii-n jurul lacului
And no birds sing. i o pasre nu cnt-n preajma lor.

Hartley Coleridge (1796-1849)

Cel mai tnr fiu al marelui scriitor Samuel Taylor Coleridge.S-a nscut la 19 septembrie 1796,
la Clevedon, Somerset, i a beneficiat de susinerea intens a tatlui su. n 1807, intr n
contact cu William Wordsworth i Sir Walter Scott. n 1815, urmeaz cursurile Universitii de la
Oxford. Se stabilete la Londra, unde colaboreaz cu London Magazine, n calitate de poet,
traductor i critic literar, iar apoi la Leeds. Considerat un maestru al sonetului.

Solitary-Hearted Inima solitar

SHE was a queen of noble Nature's crowning,
A smile of hers was like an act of grace;
She had no winsome looks, no pretty frowning,
Like daily beauties of the vulgar race:
But if she smiled, a light was on her face,
A clear, cool kindliness, a lunar beam
Of peaceful radiance, silvering o'er the stream
Of human thought with unabiding glory;
Not quite a waking truth, not quite a dream,
A visitation, bright and transitory.
E a era regina ncoronat i nobil a Naturii,
Avea un zmbet plin de graie;
Nu avea priviri atractive,nici nurii
Unei frumusei dintr-o vulgar naie:
Dar de zmbea,faa-i era lucie,
O proaspt candoare,a lunii raz
O lucire panic,ce-arginteaz
Malul gndirii umane de-o glorie pieritoare;
Nu-i adevr detepttor,nicio visare
O apariie,strlucitoare, trectoare.

But she is changed,hath felt the touch of sorrow, Dar s-a schimbat; simit-a atingerea durerii mute,
No love hath she, no understanding friend; Pierdut-a dragoste, prietenie i nelegere;
O grief! when Heaven is forced of earth to borrow Ce nefericire! Cnd Cerul e forat s-mprumute
What the poor niggard earth has not to lend; Tot ce pmntul sterp nu poate s-ofere;
But when the stalk is snapt, the rose must bend. Chiar de se rupe tulpina, trandafirul rsare.
The tallest flower that skyward rears its head Falnica floare nlat pn la cer,
Grows from the common ground, and there must shed Crete-n pmnt umil,acolo-i pier
Its delicate petals. Cruel fate, too surely, Petalele delicate.Fr-ndoial,e-o crud soart
That they should find so base a bridal bed, Ca patul nupial s-aib o floare moart
Who lived in virgin pride, so sweet and purely. Ce triete n mndria feciorelnic, dulce i curat.

She had a brother, and a tender father, Avut-a un frate i-un tat duios,
And she was loved, but not as others are Si fost-a iubit,dar nu ca alte firi
From whom we ask return of love,but rather Care cer ntoarcerea unei iubiri, ci graios
As one might love a dream; a phantom fair Cum se iubete un vis; nluca mndr-a unei firi
Of something exquisitely strange and rare, Ceva natur ciudat i rar,
Which all were glad to look on, men and maids, La care domni i doamne cat,
Yet no one claim'das oft, in dewy glades, Dar n-o bag-n seam, ca iarba-nrourat,
The peering primrose, like a sudden gladness, E ciuboica cucului, o brusc plcere,
Gleams on the soul, yet unregarded fades; Floarea ce lumineaz sufletul, plind ndat;-
The joy is ours, but all its own the sadness. Bucuria-i a noastr; dar mai avem i durere.

'Tis vain to sayher worst of grief is only Degeaba se zice; cea mai mare povar
The common lot, which all the world have known; E destinul umil, pe care lumea-l cunoate;
To her 'tis more, because her heart is lonely, Sufer mai mult, n inima-i solitar,
And yet she hath no strength to stand alone, C singur s stea nu poate,
Once she had playmates, fancies of her own, Cndva avea prieteniile i desftrile sale
And she did love them. They are past away i le iubea. Dar s-au dus agale
As Fairies vanish at the break of day; Cum se risipesc Znele-n zori;
And like a spectre of an age departed, i ca spectrul unei vrste ndeprtate,
Or unsphered Angel wofully astray, Ca izgonitul nger printre nori,
She glides alongthe solitary-hearted. E zborul inimii nsingurate.
Thomas Hood (1799-1845)
Poet, dramaturg i publicist nscut la Londra, dintr-o familie de origine scoian. S-a remarcat
prin poezii cu coninut umorist, sub influena autorilor romantici. Scriitorul William Thackeray l
considera drept cel mai delicat poet dintre generaia lui Shelley i cea a lui Tennyson. Domin
perioada pre-victorian.

A Lake and a Fairy Boat Un lac i o barc de-a znelor

A lake and a fairy boat Un lac i o barc de-a znelor

To sail in the moonlight clear- S navighezi sub lumina clar a lunii-
And merrily we could float Cu voioie mergem pe-un val plutitor
From the dragons that watch us here! Vznd cum ne pzesc dragonii!

Thy gown should be snow-white silk, De o mtase alb ca zpada s-ai un halat,
And strings of oriental pearls, Cu brie din perle de la rsrit,
Like gossamers dipped in milk Ca firul de pianjen n lapte cufundat
Should twine with thy raven curls! Asortat cu pru-i de corb cernit.

Red rubies should deck thy hands, Rubine sngerii minile-i mpodobesc,
And diamonds should be thy dower- i diamante i-s averea;
But fairies have broke their wands, Dar znele baghetele-i tocesc,
And wishing has lost its power! i dorina i-a pierdut puterea!

Thomas Woolner (1825-1892)

Poet i sculptor victorian, unul din fondatorii micrii prerafaelite. Se remarc prin poezia sa cu
caracter de manifest My Beautiful Lady (Frumoasa mea doamn), publicat n revista Smna
(The Germ) n 1850, care-l transform ntr-un autor popular n epoc i ofer prarafaelitismului
un loc de prim-plan n rndurile preocuprilor intelectuale.

My Beautiful Lady Frumoasa mea doamn

I LOVE my Lady; she is very fair; mi iubesc Doamna; e foarte curat;

Her brow is wan, and bound by simple hair; Fruntea-i palid; o coafur simpl aranjat;
Her spirit sits aloof, and high, Spiritu-i departe, n nlimi,
But glances from her tender eye Dar privirile din ochii tandri
In sweetness droopingly. Pline-s de dulcea i lacrimi.

As a young forest while the wind drives through,
My life is stirrd when she breaks on my view;
Her beauty grants my will no choice
But silent awe, till she rejoice
My longing with her voice.
Ca o tnr pdure unde vntul adie,
Cnd i vd chipul viaa-i bucurie;
Frumuseea nu-i d voinei de ales
Dect adoraie mut, pn-i ntlnesc
Vocea cu care rtcesc.

Her warbling voice, though ever low and mild,
Oft makes me feel as strong wine would a child;
And though her hand be airy light
Of touch, it moves me with its might,
As would a sudden fright.
Glasu-i ciripit, chiar de-i tcut i blnd,
Adesea-mi d ameeli ca vinul unui prunc plpnd;
Dei mna-i de un aer luminos
Cnd o ating,m face neputincios,
Ca un lucru tenebros.

A hawk high poisd in air, whose nervd wing-tips
Tremble with might suppressd, before he dips,
In vigilance, scarce more intense
Than I, when her voice holds my sense
Contented in suspense.
Ca oimul n vzduh, al crui zbor agitat
Tremur cnd-i dobort, nainte de a fi cufundat,
n letargie, rar vezi ceva aa intens
Ca fptura mea, atunci cnd aud al vocii-i sens
Ptruns de suspans.

Her mention of a thing, august or poor,
Makes it far nobler than it was before:
As where the sun strikes life will gush,
And what is pale receive a flush,
Rich hues, a richer blush.
Cnd zice de ceva, bogat sau srac,
Mai nobil dect nainte m fac:
Ca unde soarele ce d via se topete,
i paloarea se roete,
Cnd nuane tot mai vii primete.

My Ladys name, when I hear strangers use,
Not meaning her, to me sounds lax misuse;
I love none but my Ladys name;
Moud, Grace, Rose, Marian, all the same,
Are harsh, or blank and tame.
Numele Doamnei, cnd l-aud rostit de strini,
Nu-nseamn nimic, nu-l neleg deplin;
N-am nimic fr numele Doamnei;
Moud, Grace,Rose, Marian, orice vrei,
Sunt dure, domestic i fr temei.

My Lady walks as I have watchd a swan Doamna se plimb ca o lebd

Swim where a glory on the water shone: noat acolo unde o putere lumineaz apa slobod:
There ends of willow braches ride, Printre ramuri de slcii se-oprete,
Quivering in the flowing tide, Tremur pe fluxul ce crete;
By the deep rivers side. n adncul rului plutete.

Fresh beauties, howsoeer she moves, are stirrd: Oriunde se plimb, frageda frumusee tresare:
As the sunnd bosom of a humming bird Ca snul nsorit al unei psri zbrnitoare
At each pant lifts some fiery hue, Pe fiecare tremur las nuana flcrilor,
Fierce gold, bewildering green or blue; Aur crud, albastru sau verde-mbietor;
The same, yet ever new. E-aceeai, c-un chip mereu novator.

Dante Gabriel Rossetti (1828-1882)

Liderul micrii prerafaelite. Dante Gabriel Rossetti este fiul revoluionarului italian Gabriele
Rossetti i al lui Frances Polidori, fiica scriitorului John William Polidori. O familie preocupat
de activiti artistice i literare. Fratele su, William Michael Rossetti, este critic literar; sora lui
cea mare, Christina Georgiana Rossetti, este poet, iar sora lui cea mic, Maria Francesca
Rossetti, istoric. El este o figur reprezentativ a picturii engleze a sec. XIX, iar pe plan literar
se remarc prin baladele sale medievaliste, nuvele istorice i volumul de sonete House of Life
(Casa Vieii, 1870), dedicat iubitei sale decedate, Elizabeth Siddall. De multe ori, fiecare poezie
are drept corespondent un tablou.

Astarte Syriaca Astarte Syriaca

MYSTERY: lo! betwixt the sun and moon
Astarte of the Syrians: Venus Queen
Ere Aphrodite was. In silver sheen
Her twofold girdle clasps the infinite boon
Of bliss whereof the heaven and earth commune:
And from her neck's inclining flower-stem lean
Love-freighted lips and absolute eyes that wean
The pulse of hearts to the spheres' dominant tune.
Mister: privete, ntre Soare i Lun
Astarte a sirienilor: a lui Venus regin
Nainte de Aphrodita. n argintia lumin
Colieru-i dual strnge nemrginirea senin
i-n fericire Cerul i Pmntul se-mbin:
Din grumaz un mugur de floare se-nclin
Buze pline de dragoste i ochi absolui ce-alin
Suflul inimii ce muzica sferelor domin.

Torch-bearing, her sweet ministers compel
All thrones of light beyond the sky and sea
The witnesses of Beauty's face to be:
That face, of Love's all-penetrative spell
Amulet, talisman, and oracle,
Betwixt the sun and moon a mystery.
Purtnd tore, duioii ei soli aeaz
Orice tron dintre ceruri i mare
Martorii Frumosului-s cuprini de mirare:
Chipu-i, a iubirii atotcuprinztoare vraj
Amulet, oracol, talisman creeaz,-
ntre Soare i Lun-i mister.

A Sea-Spell Vraja Mrii

Her lute hangs shadowed in the apple-tree, Luta-i atrn-n umbra mrului,
While flashing fingers weave the sweet-strung spell n timp ce minile-i lucii es dulcea vraj
Between its chords; and as the wild notes swell, Printre coarde; i tonuri slbatice degaj
The sea-bird for those branches leaves the sea. Pasrea care pentru ramuri marea prsete.
But to what sound her listening ear stoops she? Dar la ce sunet urechea-i se oprete?
What netherworld gulf-whispers doth she hear, Ce sunete a auzit n golf din alt sfer,
In answering echoes from what planisphere, Rspunsurile crui ecou dintr-o planisfer,
Along the wind, along the estuary? De-a lungul vntului, de-a lungul estuarului?
She sinks into her spell: and when full soon Se scufund-n vraja ei; n curnd
Her lips move and she soars into her song, Buzele-i se mic i se-avnt cntnd,
What creatures of the midmost main shall throng Creaturi de pe mal cufundnd
In furrowed self-clouds to the summoning rune, n brezde de nori i runa-nvocnd,
Till he, the fated mariner, hears her cry Cnd el, marinarul ales, i-aude cntul
And up her rock, bare breasted, comes to die? i spre stnc, n pieptul gol,vine s-i afle sfritul?

Bibliografie
 www.poemhunter.com
www.bartleby.com
www.cyberhymnal.org
www.luminarium.org
www.victorianweb.org
Levichi, Leon, Istoria literaturii engleze i americane, Dacia, Cluj-Napoca, 1985
Oxford History of English Literature, Oxford University Press, 1990
Grierson, Sir Herbert JC, Metaphysical Lyrics and Poems of the Seventeenth Century,
Oxford Clarendon Press, 1921 (Google Books)
Esterhammer,Angela, Romantic Poetry, London,2002
Lista ilustraiilor

P1: Jonathon Earl Bowser, Vnt luminos (artist contemporan)

P3: Jonathan Earl Bowser, Fiii Eternitii (artist contemporan)

P8: Josephine Wall, Du-te i prinde o stea cztoare (artist contemporan)

P8: Josephine Wall, Credincios al viselor din zi (artist contemporan)

P9: Jonathan Earl Bowser, Fluxul (artist contemporan)

P 11: John William Waterhouse, Luai trandafiri( 1908)

P 11: John William Waterhouse, Luai trandafiri (1909)

P 13: William Blake, Naterea Domnului (1817), ilustraie la Oda lui

Milton

P 13: William Blake, Naterea Domnului(1799)

P 20: George Frederick Watts, Izgonirea din rai (1898)

P 26: Francis Danby, Potopul (1840)

P 28: William Blake, nger i demon (1796)

P 30: Thomas Gainsborough, Soii Andrews (1749)

P 31: Anonim ,Vestal (sec.XVIII)

P 31: John Constable, Catedrala din Salisbury (1831)

P 32: Anonim, Peisaj nocturn (circa 1800)

P 34: John William Waterhouse, Flora (1890)

 p 34: John William Waterhouse, Inima trandafirului (1908)

p 36: George Hayter,Anna Isabella Milbanke. Lady Byron (1812)

p 36: Thomas Lawrence, Lady Caroline Lamb (1796)

p 37: Complexul de la Abu-Simbel

p 38: Art indian (Vishnu; Sarasvati)

p 40: John Atkinson Grimshaw, Spiritul Nopii (1879)

p 41: Frank Bernard Dicksee, La Belle Dame sans Merci (1890)

p 43: Alfred Edward Hughes, Noaptea de Snziene (1899)

p 44: Emma Florence Harrison, Ziua de Natere (1910)

p 46: Henry Maynell Rheam, Pandora (1902)

p 48: Dante Gabriel Rossetti, Astarte Syriaca (1878)

p 48: Dante Gabriel Rossetti, Vraja mrii (1879)