Nichita Stnescu
(March 31, 1933, PloietiDecember 13, 1983, Bucharest)
Poveste sentimental
(Sentimental Story)
Pe urm ne vedeam din ce n ce mai des.
Eu stteam la o margine-a orei,
tu la cealalt,
ca dou toarte de amfor.
Numai cuvintele zburau intre noi,
nainte i napoi.
Vrtejul lor putea fi aproape zrit,
i deodat,
mi lsam un genunchi,
iar cotul mi-infigeam n pmnt,
numai ca s privesc iarba-nclinat
de caderea vreunui cuvnt,
ca pe sub laba unui leu alergnd.
Cuvintele se roteau, se roteau ntre noi,
nainte i napoi,
i cu ct te iubeam mai mult, cu att
repetau, ntr-un vrtej aproape vzut,
structura materiei, de la-nceput.
Nichita Stnescu
Minile mele sunt ndrgostite,
vai, gura mea iubete,
i iat, m-am trezit
c lucrurile sunt att de aproape de mine,
nct abia pot merge printre ele
fr s m rnesc.
E un sentiment dulce acesta,
de trezire, de visare,
i iat-m fr s dorm,
aievia vd zeii de filde,
i iau n mn i
i nurubez rznd, n lun,
ca pe nite mnere sculptate,
cum trebuie c erau pe vremuri,
mpodobite, roile de crm ale corbiilor.
Jupiter e galben, i Hera
cea minunat e argintie.
Izbesc cu stnca-n roat i ea se urnete.
E un dans iubito, al sentimentelor,
zeie-ale aerului, dintre noi doi.
i eu, cu pnzele sufletului
umflate de dor,
te caut pretutindeni, i lucrurile vin
tot mai aproape,
i pieptul mi-l strng i m dor.
Nichita Stnescu
(Another Kind of Mathematics)
Then we met more often.
I stood at one side of the hour,
you at the other,
like two handles of an amphora.
Only the words flew between us,
back and forth.
You could almost see their swirling,
and suddenly,
I would lower a knee,
and touch my elbow to the ground
to look at the grass, bent
by the falling of some word,
as though by the paw of a lion in flight.
The words spun between us,
back and forth,
and the more I loved you, the more
they continued, this whirl almost seen,
the structure of matter, the beginnings of things.
Traducere de Thomas Carlson & Vasile Poenaru
Vrsta de aur a dragostei
(The Golden Age of Love)
My hands are in love,
alas, my mouth loves -
and see, I am suddenly aware
that things are so close to me
I can hardly walk among them
without suffering.
It is a sweet feeling
of waking, of dreaming,
and I am here now, without sleep -
I clearly see the ivory gods,
I take them in my hands and
thrust them, laughing, in the moon
up to their sculpted hilts -
the wheel of an ancient ship, adorned
and spun by sailors.
Jupiter is yellow, Hera
the magnificent shades to silver.
I strike the wheel with my left hand and it moves.
It is a dance of sentiments, my love,
many a goddess of the air, between the two of us.
And I, the sail of my soul
billowed with longing,
look for you everywhere, and things come
ever closer,
crowding my chest, hurting me.
Traducere de Thomas Carlson & Vasile Poenaru
Alt matematic
Noi tim c unu ori unu fac unu,
dar un inorog ori o par
nu tim ct face.
tim c cinci fr patru fac unu,
dar un nor fr o corabie
nu tim ct face.
tim, noi tim c opt
mprit la opt fac unu,
dar un munte mprit la o capr
nu tim ct face.
tim c unu plus unu fac doi,
dar eu i cu tine,
nu tim, vai, nu tim ct facem.
Ah, dar o plapum
nmulit cu un iepure
face o roscovan, desigur,
o varz mprit la un steag
fac un porc,
un cal fr un tramvai
face un nger,
o conopid plus un ou,
face un astragal
Numai tu i cu mine
nmultii i mprii
adunai i sczui
rmnem aceiai
Pieri din mintea mea!
Revino-mi n inim!
Nichita Stnescu
Tcerea se izbete de trunchiuri, se-ncrucise,
se face deprtare, se face nisip.
Mi-am ntors ctre soare unicul chip,
umerii mei smulg din goan frunzie.
Cmpul tindu-l, pe dou potcoave
calul meu salt din lut, fumegnd.
Ave, m-ntorc ctre tine, eu. Ave!
Soarele a izbucnit peste lume strignd.
Tobe de piatr bat, soarele crete,
tria cu acvile din faa lui
se prbuete n trepte de aer, sticlete.
Tcerea se face vnt albstrui,
pintenul umbrei mi-l crete
n coastele cmpului.
Soarele rupe orizontul n dou.
Tria i nruie sfretele-i carcere.
Sulie-albastre, fr ntoarcere,
privirile mi le-azvrl, pe-amndou,
s-l ntmpine fericite i grave.
Calul meu salt pe dou potcoave.
We know that one times one is one,
but an unicorn times a pear
have no idea what it is.
We know that five minus four is one
but a cloud minus a sailboat
have no idea what it is.
We know that eight
divided by eight is one,
but a mountain divided by a goat
have no idea what it is.
We know that one plus one is two,
but me and you, oh,
we have no idea what it is.
Oh, but a comforter
times a rabbit
is a red-headed one of course,
a cabbage divided by a flag
is a pig,
a horse minus a street-car
is an angel,
a cauliflower plus an egg
is an astragalus.
Only you and me
multiplied and divided
added and substracted
remain the same
Vanish from my mind!
Come back in my heart!
Traducere de George Mustea
O clrire n zori
(Riding at Dawn)
Silence strikes the tree trunks, upon itself retracing,
turns to distance, turns to sand.
I have turned my only face toward the sun,
my shoulders scatter leaves in this racing.
Cutting through the field up on two shoes
my horse leaps, steaming, from the clay.
Ave, I am turning to you, I, Ave!
The sun has burst across the heavens, crying.
Stone drums are sounding, the sun grows,
the vault of heaven, alive with eagles, before him,
collapses into steps of air, and glows.
Silence turns to blue wind,
the spur of my shadow grows
in the ribs of the field.
The sun snaps the horizon in two.
The vault of heaven pulls down its dying prison cells.
Blue spears, with no returning,
I discard my visions, both of them -
they meet him, sweet and grave.
My horse rises on two shoes.
Ave, maree-a luminilor, ave!
Soarele salt din lucruri, strignd
clatin muchiile surde i grave.
Sufletul meu l ntmpin, ave!
Calul meu salt pe dou potcoave.
Coama mea blond arde n vnt.
Nichita Stnescu
Ave, tide of light, ave!
The sun ascends from objects, crying,
shakes the borders, voiceless and grave.
My soul meets Him, Ave!
My horse rises on two shoes.
My pale mane burns on the wind.
Traducere de Thomas Carlson & Vasile Poenaru

Semn 12
(Sign No. 12)

Ea devenise ncetul cu ncetul cuvnt, Little by little she became a word,

fuioare de suflet de vnt,
delfin n ghearele sprncenelor mele,
piatr strnind n ap inele,
stea nluntrul genunchiului meu,
cer nluntrul umrului meu,
eu nluntrul eului meu.
Nichita Stnescu
bundles of soul on the wind,
a dolphin in the clutches of my eyebrows,
a stone provoking rings in water,
a star inside my knww,
a sky inside my shoulder,
and I inside I.
Traducere de Thomas Carlson & Vasile Poenaru

Vasile Voiculescu

Sonet CLVIII

Din clarul miez al vrstei rd tinereii tale, With the serenity of ages clear pulp I smile upon you youth,
Trufaa-i frumusee n fa o privesc Face boldly your proud beauty,
i ochilor ti, atri tulburtori de cale, Your starlike eyes which lead astray
Opun intensu-mi geniu n care se topesc. I resist with a strong mind wherein they melt.
M-nfiez cu duhul, nu te srut pe gur, My spirit I throw in, I do not kiss your lips,
Plecat ca peste-o floare, te rup i te respir Bent as upon a flower, I rend you and your perfume I breathe,
i nu mai eti de-acuma trupeasc o fptur, You are no more a flesh and blood creation
Ci un potir de unde sug viaa i strng mir. But the chalice wherefrom I sip life, receive grace.
Nu-mi numr anii, seva nu st n gingie : My years I do not count, sap doesnt hang upon prime:
Cu ideala for mi-apropii ce mi-e drag, With my phantasys power I seize what I endear,
njug virtui i patimi la marea poezie I harness passion and virtue to the exalted poem
n care, fr urme de pulbere trzie, In which, with no trace of senescent dust, I force you:
Te-amestec i pe tine cu sila; pentru mag, To the magician earth has no bounds,
Pmntul n-are margini i nici cerurile prag. Nor has the sky a threshold.
Vasile Voiculescu traducere de Margareta Sterian

Sonet CLIX

A cta oar zorii m prind fr de somn ?
D iarna buzna, anul i lapd coroana,
Eu n surghiun, departe Cnd ai s-mi curmi prigoana,
Iar s m chemi la tine, puternicul meu domn ?
Dar tot veghez de-aicea iubirea ta plpnd,
Ca peste o comoar-n veci hrzita mie
Sunt Argus, nu c-o sut de ochi, ci cu o mie
De inimi arztoare i toate stnd la pnd.
Ferete mai cu seam s pleci pe mare-albastr
Cu oachea aceea farnica i rece;
Nvalnicele-mi gnduri, gonind pe urma voastr,
V vor strni tempeste, corabia s-nece:
Cci te iubesc cu ur, ntreg, i numai eu;
Nu te mpart cu nimeni, nici chiar cu Dumnezeu.
Vasile Voiculescu
How many times did daybreak find me awake?
Winter bursts in, the year loses its crown,
Banished am I and far away When will you end my torment
And call for me again, oh, mighty, sovereign?
I am afar but still hold watch on your frail love
Like on a treasure by fate forever destined to me;
An Argus am I, not with hundred eyes but
With a thousand burning hearts and all of them on the watch.
Pray, do avoid to sail on the blue-sea
With that cold and dark lady, all hypocrisy;
The thoughts assailing me will haunt your trace,
Will tempests stir and cause your boat to founder:
Cause I love thou with hatred as thou be;
Not even with the Lord do I share thee.
traducere de Margareta Sterian
 Mihai Eminescu (1850 1889)
Ce e amorul? E un lung
Prilej pentru durere,
Cci mii de lacrimi nu-i ajung
i tot mai multe cere.
De-un semn n treact de la ea
El sufletul i-l leag,
nct s n-o mai poi uita
Viaa ta ntreag.
Dar nc de te-ateapt-n prag
n umbr de unghere,
De se-ntlnete drag cu drag
Cum inima ta cere
Dispar i ceruri i pmnt
i pieptul tu se bate,
i totu-atrn de-un cuvnt
optit pe jumtate.
Te urmrete sptmni
Un pas fcut alene,
O dulce strngere de mni,
Un tremurat de gene.
Te urmresc lumintori
Ca soarele i luna,
i peste zi de-attea ori
i noaptea totdeauna.
Cci scris a fost ca viaa ta
De doru-i s nu-ncap,
Cci te-a cuprins asemenea
Lianelor din ap.
Mihai Eminescu
(Why Dont You Come to Me?)
Vezi, rndunelele se duc,
Se scutur frunzele de nuc,
S-aeaz bruma peste vii
De ce nu-mi vii, de ce nu-mi vii?
O, vino iar n al meu bra,
S te privesc cu mult nesa,
S razim dulce capul meu
De snul tu, de snul tu!
i-aduci aminte cum pe-atunci
Cnd ne plimbam prin vi i lunci,
Te ridicam de subsuori
De-attea ori, de-attea ori!
n lumea asta sunt femei
Cu ochi ce izvorsc scntei
Dar, orict ele sunt de sus,
Ca tine nu-s, ca tine nu-s!
Cci tu nseninezi mereu
Viaa sufletului meu,
Mai mndr dect orice stea,
Ce e amorul?
(What Is Love?)
What is love ? A lifetime spent
Of days that pain does fill,
That thousand tears cant content,
But asks for tears still.
With but a little glance coquet
Your soul it knows to tie,
That of its spell you cant forget
Until the day you die.
Upon your threshold does it stand,
In every nook conspire,
That you may whisper hand in hand
Your tale of hearts aspire.
Till fades the very earth and sky,
Your heart completely broken,
And all the world hangs on a sigh,
A word but partly spoken.
It follows you for weeks and weeks
And in your soul assembles
The memory of blushing cheeks
And eyelash fair that trembles.
It comes to you a sudden ray
As though of starlights spending,
How many and many a time each day
And every night unending.
For of your life has fate decreed
That pain shall it enfold,
As does the clinging water-weed
About a swimmer hold.
traducere de Corneliu M. Popescu
De ce nu-mi vii?
See the swallows quit the eaves
And fall the yellow walnut leaves,
The vines with autumn frost are numb,
Why dont you come, why dont you come?
Oh, come into my arms embrace
That I may gaze upon your face,
And lay my head in grateful rest
Against your breast, against your breast!
Do you remember when we strayed
The meadows and the secret glade,
I kissed you midst flowering thyme
How many a time, how many a time?
Some women on the earth there are
Whose eyes shine as the evening star,
But be their charm no matter what,
Like you theyre not, like you theyre not!
For you shine in my soul always
More softly than the starlight blaze,
More splendid than the risen sun,
Iubita mea, iubita mea! Beloved one, beloved one!
Trzie toamn e acum, But it is late in autumn now,
Se scutur frunzele pe drum, The leaves have fallen from the bough,
i lanurile sunt pustii The fields are bare, the birds are dumb
De ce nu-mi vii, de ce nu-mi vii? Why dont you come, why dont you come?

Mihai Eminescu traducere de Corneliu M. Popescu

Scrisoarea III
(Letter III)

Un sultan dintre aceia ce domnesc peste vro limb, A Sultan among those who over a language reign,
Ce cu-a turmelor pune, a ei patrie -o schimb, Who where the flocks are pastured, there stretches their
La pmnt dormea inndu-i cpti mna cea dreapt; domain,
Dar ochiu-nchis afar, nluntru se deteapt. Was sleeping on the hillside, his head laid on his arm,
Vede cum din ceruri luna lunec i se coboar When came to him a vision that did his spirit charm:
i s-apropie de dnsul preschimbat n fecioar. He saw the moon that nightly across the heavens ranged
nflorea crarea ca de pasul blndei primveri; Turn from her wonted journey and to a maiden changed,
Ochii ei sunt plini de umbra tinuitelor dureri; He saw her glide towards him, with lovely downcast head,
Codrii se nfioreaz de atta frumusee, And there was sorrow in her eyes; but spring bloomed at her
Apele-ncreesc n tremur strveziile lor fee, tread;
Pulbere de diamante cade fin ca o bur, While all the forest trembled, so wondrous war her grace,
Scnteind plutea prin aer i pe toate din natur And a thrill of silver ripples ran o er the waters face.
i prin mndra fermecare sun-o muzic de oapte, A mist like sparkling diamonds that did the vision daze
Iar pe ceruri se nal curcubeele de noapte Lay on the earth enchanted, a bright illumined haze,
Ea, eznd cu el alturi, mna fin i-o ntinde, While the sound of whispered music sang through that
Prul ei cel negru-n valuri de mtas se desprinde: wonderland,
Las s leg a mea via de a ta n brau-mi vino, And o er the starry heavens a midnight rainbow spanned
i durerea mea cea dulce cu durerea ta alin-o Her hair in raven tresses about her shoulders fell,
Scris n cartea vieii este i de veacuri i de stele And taking his hand in hers, she these grave words did tell:
Eu s fiu a ta stpn, tu stpn vieii mele. Let be our lives united, my pain let yours enfold
i cum o privea sultanul, ea se-ntunec dispare; That through your sorrows sweetness my sorrow be
Iar din inima lui simte un copac cum c rsare, consoled
Care crete ntr-o clip ca n veacuri, mereu crete, Writ was it through the ages and all the stars record
Cu-a lui ramuri peste lume, peste mare se lete; That I shall be your mistress, and you shall be my lord.
Umbra lui cea uria orizontul l cuprinde Now, as the Sultan marveled, softly she withdrew
i sub dnsul universul ntr-o umbr se ntinde; And he felt as if within him a wondrous tree upgrew;
Iar n patru pri a lumii vede iruri munii mari, A tree that in an instant raised loftily its head
Atlasul, Caucazul, Taurul i Balcanii seculari; And to the far horizons its thrusting branches spread;
Vede Eufratul i Tigris, Nilul, Dunrea btrn A tree of such a stature that even at midday
Umbra arborelui falnic peste toate e stpn. The farthest lands and oceans under its shadow lay.
Astfel, Asia, Europa, Africa cu-a ei pustiuri While at the earths four corners rose up against the sky
i corbiile negre legnndu-se pe ruri, Atlas, Caucasus, Taurus and the Balkan mountains high;
Valurile verzi de grie legnndu-se pe lanuri The wide Euphrates, Tigris, the Nile, the Danube old,
Mrile rmuitoare i ceti lng limanuri, All neath its boughs protecting their mighty waters rolled.
Toate se ntind nainte-i ca pe-un uria covor, Asia, Europe, Africa and the desert stretching far,
Vede ar lng ar i popor lng popor The boats that on the lakes and seas and on the rivers are,
Ca prin neguri alburie se strevd i se prefac Billowing, boundless cornfields that tossed emerald locks,
n ntins-mprie sub o umbr de copac. And shores, and ships, and harbours with castles on the rocks,
Vulturii pornii la ceruri pn la ramuri nu ajung; All these spread like a carpet his vision did embrace,
Dar un vnt de biruin se pornete ndelung Country next to country set, and race to race
i lovete rnduri, rnduri n frunziul suntor. All these as in a mist of silver did he see,
Strigte de-Allah! Allahu! se aud pe sus prin nori, A vast extending kingdom neath the shadow of a tree.
Zgomotul cretea ca marea turburat i nalt, The eagle that aspires the sky does dawdle not
Urlete de btlie s-alungau dupolalt, With lazy wings, nor in among the branches squat ;
ns frunzele-ascuite se ndoaie dup vnt And now a wind of conquest the ancient forest fills
i deasupra Romei nou se nclin la pmnt. And shouts of Allah ! Allah ! echo among the hills,
As though a rising tempest does oer the ocean roar
The deafening clash of battle, the thunderous clang of war;
Till loudly does the forest to that great gale resound

Se cutremur sultanul se deteapt i pe cer
Vede luna cum plutete peste plaiul Eschier.
i privete trist la casa eihului Edebali;
Dup gratii de fereastr o copil el zri
Ce-i zmbete, mldioas ca o creang de alun;
E a eihului copil, e frumoasa Malcatun.
Atunci el pricepe visul c-i trimis de la profet,
C pe-o clip se-nlase chiar n rai la Mahomet,
C din dragostea-i lumeasc un imperiu se va nate,
Ai cruia ani i margini numai cerul le cunoate.
Visul su se-nfiripeaz i se-ntinde vulturete,
An cu an mpria tot mai larg se sporete,
Iar flamura cea verde se nal an cu an,
Neam cu neam urmndu-i zborul i sultan dup sultan.
Astfel ar dup ar drum de glorie-i deschid
Pn-n Dunre ajunge furtunosul Baiazid
La un semn, un rm de altul, legnd vas de vas, se leag
i n sunet de fanfare trece oastea lui ntreag;
Ieniceri, copii de suflet ai lui Allah i spahii
Vin de-ntunec pmntul la Rovine n cmpii;
Rspndindu-se n roiuri, ntind corturile mari
Numa-n zarea deprtat sun codrul de stejari.
Iat vine-un sol de pace c-o nfram-n vrf de b.
Baiazid, privind la dnsul, l ntreab cu dispre:
Ce vrei tu?
Noi? Bun pace! i de n-o fi cu bnat,
Domnul nostru-ar vrea s vaz pe mritul mprat.
La un semn deschis-i calea i se-apropie de cort
Un btrn att de simplu, dup vorb, dup port.
Tu eti Mircea?
Da-mprate!
Am venit s mi te-nchini,
De nu, schimb a ta coroan ntr-o ramur de spini.
Orice gnd ai, mprate, i oricum vei fi sosit,
Ct suntem nc pe pace, eu i zic: Bine-ai venit!
Despre parte nchinrii ns, doamne, s ne ieri;
Dar acu vei vrea cu oaste i rzboi ca s ne ceri,
Ori vei vrea s faci ntoars de pe-acuma a ta cale,
S ne dai un semn i nou de mila mriei tale
De-o fi una, de-o fi alta Ce e scris i pentru noi,
Bucuroi le-om duce toate, de e pace, de-i rzboi.
Cum? Cnd lumea mi-e deschis, a privi gndeti c pot Be the one or be the other, but little does it awe,
Ca ntreg Aliotmanul s se-mpiedice de-un ciot?
O, tu nici visezi, btrne, ci n cale mi s-au pus!
Toat floarea cea vestit a ntregului Apus,
Tot ce st n umbra crucii, mprai i regi s-adun
S dea piept cu uraganul ridicat de semilun.
S-a-mbrcat n zale lucii cavalerii de la Malta,
Papa cu-a lui trei coroane, puse una peste alta,
Fulgerele adunat-au contra fulgerului care
n turbarea-i furtunoas a cuprins pmnt i mare.
N-au avut dect cu ochiul ori cu mna semn a face,
i Apusul i mpinse toate neamurile-ncoace;
Pentru-a crucii biruin se micar ruri-ruri,
Ori din codri rscolite, ori strnite din pustiuri;
Zguduind din pace-adnc ale lumii nceputuri,
nnegrind tot orizontul cu-a lor zeci de mii de scuturi, For strong to overthrow the cross did march a mighty host
Se micau ngrozitoare ca pduri de lnci i sbii,
Tremura nspimntat marea de-ale lor corbii!
La Nicopole vzut-ai cte tabere s-au strns
And bow before new Rome its branches to the ground.
The Sultan then awakened to find the moon again
Her wonted place had taken above Eskishehr plain,
And sadly to the dwelling of Sheik Edebali turned
And through the windows bars a girlish form discerned,
More lithesome than a hazel, a maid who gravely smiled,
Sweet Malcatun the beautiful, Sheik Edebalis child.
And then it was he understood his dream sent by the prophet,
As though a moment he had gained the presence of Mahomet;
He knew that born of this his love would there an empire grow
Of which the tides and boundaries only the sky would know.
Now, as the eagle rises the Sultans dream came true,
And year by year invincible that gathering kingdom grew,
And year by year the emerald flame flew higher in the blast
As generations came and went, and as each sultan passed;
Nor was there any nation could its course forbid
Until up to the Danube rode conquering Bayazid.
From one bank to the other a bridge of boats was cast
And all that host marched over midst fanfare trumpet blast,
The bodyguard of Allah did over the Danube ride
Darkening with their numbers the Rovine countryside,
Swarming tens of thousands spreading their tents immense;
But on the far horizon stood oaks in forest dense.
Now came a company of men, in front a white flag borne,
And Bayazid regarding them enquired with haughty scorn:
What do you want?
We want but peace, and if it be allowed
Our Sire would like to speak awhile with you, great Sultan
proud.
At a sigh the way was cleared, and came towards the tent
A man of calm and simple mien and with the years bent.
Ist Mircea?
Yes your Highness!
Take heed, for caution warns,
Lest you your crown exchange against a wreath of thorns.
That you have come, great emperor, no heed what be your
aim,
While still at peace I hail you, our greetings that you came;
But, as to your good council, o may the Lord forgive,
If you do dream to win this land by force imperative;
Had you not better return home with calm and peaceful mind
And show in your imperial strength that you are just and
kind
Gladly shall we take our fare, either peace or war.
What, when nations open their gates before my trump
You think my hosts will stumble against a rotten stump?
You do not guess, old dotard, the force my foes deployed
The Wests most noble flower these soldiers have destroyed.
Oer all the cross does shelter, emperors and kings,
The crescent moon ascending its silver shadow flings.
Aye, clad in gleaming armour the cavaliers of Malta,
The Pope who wears three crowns and guards the Holy Altar
Lightning against lightning set and thunder against thunder,
A storm that fraught the sea with fear and filled the earth with
wonder.
I needed but to make a sign, a movement of my head
And all the nations in my path in wild disorder fled;
Oer sea its rule from land to land, on land from coast to coast;
Shattering the peace of earth as it did march along,
Darkening the countryside in tens of thousand strong.
 Our lances stood uncounted like a field of growing corn,
And tremble did the ocean oer which our ships were borne.
At Nicopolis you no doubt saw how many camps were
brought,
As though a shining metal wall of swords and spears wrought.
Ca s steie nainte-mi ca i zidul nenvins. But when I saw their number like the leaves and like the grass,
Cnd vzui a lor mulime, ct frunz, ct iarb, I swore that I would crush them down and through their midst
Cu o ur nempcat mi-am optit atunci n barb, would pass;
Am jurat ca peste dnii s trec falnic, fr ps, I swore that I would scatter them as wild upflings the foam,
Din pristolul de la Roma s dau calului ovs And give my charger hay and oats in the Vatican at Rome
i de crunta-mi vijelie tu te aperi c-un toiag? Yet you before my legions imagine you can stand,
i, purtat de biruin, s m-mpiedec de-un moneag? You ridiculous old dotard, with a bare staff in your hand?
De-un moneag, da, mprate, cci moneagul ce To that old dotard, Emperor, aught one courtesy accord
priveti For over all Wallachia tis he the chosen lord.
Nu e om de rnd, el este domnul rii Romneti. And wiser you would guard your words, nor yet too loudly
Eu nu i-a dori vreodat s ajungi s ne cunoti, boast,
Nici ca Dunrea s-nece spumegnd a tale oti. Lest should the furious Danube flood engulf your fleeing host.
Dup vremuri, muli venir, ncepnd cu acel oaspe, Along the rolling ages many there were who came
Ce din vechi se pomenete, cu Dariu al lui Istaspe; Since Darius Hystaspis of tall immortal fame;
Muli durar, dup vremuri, peste Dunre vrun pod, Many there were who flung their dream across the Danubes
De-au trecut cu spaima lumii i mulime de norod; tide
mprai pe care lumea nu putea s-i mai ncap And set their bridges ship to ship and over them did ride;
Au venit i-n ara noastr de-au cerut pmnt i ap Emperors unnumbered, for their cruelty renowned,
i nu voi ca s m laud, nici c voi s te-nspimnt, Who came to us with hungry eyes for water and for ground;
Cum venir, se fcur toi o ap i-un pmnt. And though I would not care to brag, tell you this thing I must:
Te fleti c nainte-i rsturnat-ai valvrtej Little time went by ere they were water and were dust.
Otile leite-n zale de-mprai i de viteji? You boast that on your conquering road no gates for long were
Tu te lauzi c Apusul nainte i s-a pus? closed
Ce-i mna pe ei n lupt, ce-au voit acel Apus? Though all the flower of the West your vanguards march
Laurii voiau s-i smulg de pe fruntea ta de fier, opposed;
A credinii biruin cta orice cavaler. But what the high aspiring cause that did their hearts endure?
Eu? mi apr srcia i nevoile i neamul The vanity of every brave, of every cavalier;
i de-aceea tot ce mic-n ara asta, rul, ramul, The pomp of noisy conquest; for they had set their vow
Mi-e prieten numai mie, iar ie duman este, To tear the pride from out your heart, the laurels from your
Dumnit vei fi de toate, fr-a prinde chiar de veste; brow.
N-avem oti, dar iubirea de moie e un zid But I defend the poverty and the needs of a struggling land
Care nu se-nfioreaz de-a ta faim, Baiazid! And therefore all the rocks and streams and hills that guardian
stand
And all that grows and moves and breathes to me is ally true,
While every blade of grass and stone is enemy to you;
We have small hosts, yet love of soil had ever power to rid
This flowering land of all its foes. Prepare then Bayazid!
i abia plec btrnul Ce mai freamt, ce mai zbucium! No sooner had he gone than mighty the commotion!
Codrul clocoti de zgomot i de arme i de bucium, The forest rang with arms, and rumbled like the ocean,
Iar la poala lui cea verde mii de capete pletoase, Amidst the greenwood thousand heads with long and plaited
Mii de coifuri lucitoare ies din umbra-ntunecoas; hair,
Clreii mplu cmpul i roiesc dup un semn And sevral thousands more besides that did bright helmets
i n caii lor slbateci bat cu scrile de lemn, wear.
Pe copite iau n fug faa negrului pmnt, While wave on wave of cavalry over the plain did flood
Lnci scnteie lungi n soare, arcuri se ntind n vnt, Astride high prancing chargers, their stirrups carved of wood.
i ca nouri de aram i ca ropotul de grindeni, Thundering over the battered earth an avalanche they went,
Orizonu-ntunecndu-l, vin sgei de pretutindeni, Lances levelled to the charge and bows near double bent;
Vjind ca vijelia i ca plesnetul de ploaie Till like a shower of shivering light that whistled through the
Url cmpul i de tropot i de strigt de btaie. air,
n zadar striga-mpratul ca i leul n turbare, A storm of arrows leapt and sang and flew from everywhere:
Umbra morii se ntinde tot mai mare i mai mare; A din of blows on armour dealt like rattling of hail,
n zadar flamura verde o ridic nspre oaste, The noise of hoof and sword and lance, the roar of battle gale.
Cci cuprins-i de pieire i n fa i n coaste, Unheeded was the Emperors fury, lion-like his rage,
Cci se clatin rrite iruri lungi de btlie, For hotter still about his troops the fight did deadly wage;
Cad asabii ca i plcuri risipite pe cmpie, Unheeded did the green flame flutter oer his stricken ranks
n genunchi cdeau pedestri, colo caii se rstoarn, For mightily assailed in front, attacked on both their flanks,
Cnd sgeile n valuri, care uier, se toarn The Easts entire battle host was scattered in the fray

Cad, lovind n fa,-n spate, ca i crivul i gerul,
Pe pmnt lor li se pare c se nruie tot cerul
Mircea nsui mn-n lupt vijelia-ngrozitoare,
Care vine, vine, vine, calc totul n picioare;
Durduind soseau clrii ca un zid nalt de sulii,
Printre cetele pgne trec rupndu-i large ulii;
Risipite se-mprtie a dumanilor iraguri,
i gonind biruitoare tot veneau a rii steaguri,
Ca potop ce prpdete, ca o mare turburat
Peste-un ceas pgntatea e ca pleava vnturat.
Acea grindin-oelit nspre Dunre o mn,
Iar n urma lor se-ntinde falnic armia romn.
Pe cnd oastea se aeaz, iat soarele apune,
Voind cretetele nalte ale rii s-ncunune
Cu un nimb de biruin; fulger lung ncremenit
Mrginete munii negri n ntregul asfinit,
Pn ce izvorsc din veacuri stele una cte una
i din neguri, dintre codri, tremurnd s-arat luna:
Doamna mrilor -a nopii vars linite i somn.
Lng cortu-i, unul dintre fiii falnicului domn
Sta zmbind de-o amintire, pe genunchi scriind o carte,
S-o trimi dragei sale, de la Arge mai departe:
De din vale de Rovine
Grim, Doamn, ctre Tine,
Nu din gur, ci din carte,
C ne eti aa departe.
Te-am ruga, mri, ruga
S-mi trimii prin cineva
Ce-i mai mndru-n valea Ta:
Codrul cu poienele,
Ochii cu sprncenele;
C i eu trimite-voi
Ce-i mai mndru pe la noi:
Oastea mea cu flamurile,
Codrul i cu ramurile,
Coiful nalt cu penele,
Ochii cu sprncenele.
i s tii c-s sntos,
C, mulmind lui Cristos,
Te srut, Doamn, frumos.
De-aa vremi se-nvrednicir cronicarii i rapsozii;
Veacul nostru ni-l umplur saltimbancii i irozii
n izvoadele btrne pe eroi mai pot s caut;
Au cu lira vistoare ori cu sunete de flaut
Poi s-ntmpini patrioii ce-au venit de-atunci ncolo?
napoi acestora tu ascunde-te, Apollo!
O, eroi! care-n trecutul de mriri v adumbrisei,
Ai ajuns acum de mod de v scot din letopisei,
i cu voi drapndu-i nula, v citeaz toi nerozii,
Mestecnd veacul de aur n noroiul greu al prozii.
Rmnei n umbr sfnt, Basarabi i voi Muatini, Musat and Basarabs rest in your sacred shade,
Desclectori de ar, dttori de legi i datini,
Ce cu plugul i cu spada ai ntins moia voastr
De la munte pn la mare i la Dunrea albastr.
Au prezentul nu ni-i mare? N-o s-mi dea ce o s cer?
N-o s aflu ntr-ai notri vre un falnic juvaer?
And line on line of infantry mown down like summer hay.
A steady rain of arrows fell and sword blows did resound,
While riders dropped on every hand and dead bestrewed the
ground.
Till, onset from all sides at once, helpless to fight or fly,
It seemed the very earth was doomed and fallen was the sky
Mircea himself led on his men midst storm of battle lust
That came, and came, and came, that trod all in the dust;
Their cavalry undaunted, a wall of lances proud
Which through that pagan army streets of daylight ploughed
And laid to earth their thousands like sheafs of ripened corn,
High in the van of conquest Wallachias banner borne;
As deluge flung from heaven that burst upon the seas,
Till in an hour the heathen were chaff before the breeze
And from that hail of iron fast towards the Danube fled,
While gloriously behind them thRomanian army spread.
Now, while the troops are camping, the sun goes slowly down
Decking the lofty summits with victorys gold crown;
The lightning that from terror had flown out of the sky
Now flashes forth its splendour along the mountains high,
While gradually the planets do up the heaven rear
And oer the mist-drenched forest the pallid moon appear,
The queen of night and ocean that squanders calm and sleep.
Yet of the sons of Mircea does one still vigil keep,
And on his knee, in musing, beneath the evening star,
He writes to his beloved of Arges village far:
From deep within Rovine vale,
O lady fair, we bid you hail,
Alas, by letter not by speech,
By sundering distance out of reach.
Yet am I fain to beg of thee
To send by messenger to me
What in your valley fairest be:
The forest with its silver glade,
Thy eyes that long, curld lashes shade.
And I in turn will send to you
The proudest thing that here we view:
This mighty host with banner spread,
The forest, branching overhead,
My helmet with its feathery crest,
My eyes that neath their lashes rest.
I have both health and resting-place,
Thanks be to Christ and to Gods grace,
And now, dear love, I thee embrace.
By such an age as this were chroniclers inspired;
But our good age of mountebanks what poets heart has
fired
In annals of past ages heroes are often found,
But poet with your lute or lyre of dreaming sound
Have you a single patriot to sing about today?
Apollo at the sight of these had hid himself away!
O modern heroes squatting beneath far glorys wing,
Since you are all the fashion I would your prowess sing;
While draped in perfect nullity your praise is writ by those
Who knead the golden ages within the mud of prose.
Givers of law and justice, men who our nation made,
Who with the mace and ploughshare spread out our boundaries
wide
From seashore to the mountains, and to the Danube side.
The present is not noble? Calling for heroes we?
Is not our street quite famous for dealers in jewelry?
Au la Sybaris nu suntem lng capitea spoielii? Have not in far Sybaris our manners gained first prize?
Nu se nasc glorii pe strad i la ua cafenelii, From tavern door and alley does glory not arise?
N-avem oameni ce se lupt cu retoricele sulii And have we then no heroes, who wield rhetoric slings
n aplauzele grele a canaliei de ulii, Amidst the noisy plaudit of hordes of gutterings?
Panglicari n ale rii, care joac ca pe funii, These pickpockets of honour who on a tightrope dance,
Mti cu toate de renume din comedia minciunii? And wear their fancy costumes with perfect elegance.
Au de patrie, virtute, nu vorbete liberalul, Of Virtue and The Nation our liberal prates, till sure
De ai crede c viaa-i e curat ca cristalul? His daily life youd fancy must be as crystal pure?
Nici visezi c nainte-i st un stlp de cafenele, Youd never dream him being a cafe haunting knave,
Ce i rde de-aste vorbe ngnndu-le pe ele. Who mocks at his own sermon, so solemn, and so grave.
Vezi colo pe uriciunea fr suflet, fr cuget, O could you see the brigand that no conscience has nor soul
Cu privirea-mproat i la flci umflat i buget, With his hang-dog expression and heavy, sullen jaw,
Negru, cocoat i lacom, un izvor de iretlicuri, A hunchback, evil-visaged, a spring of cunning greed,
La tovarii si spune veninoasele-i nimicuri; Who spouts out for his comrades some poisoned, nonsense
Toi pe buze-avnd virtute, iar n ei moned calp, creed.
Quintesen de mizerii de la cretet pn-n talp. Upon each lip is Virtue, and in each heart deceit;
i deasupra tuturora, oastea s i-o recunoasc, A set of wicked monsters and wrong from head to feet
i arunc pocitura bulbucaii ochi de broasc Who round their patrons standing, as those who Gods admire,
Dintr-acetia ara noastr i alege astzi solii! Will roll protruding frog eyes, bright with their hearts aspire.
Oameni vrednici ca s az n zidirea sfintei Golii, Such men become our leaders, its laws our country give,
n cmei cu mneci lunge i pe capete scufie, Men who at best from kindness should in a madhouse live
Ne fac legi i ne pun biruri, ne vorbesc filosofie. Clothed each in madmens jackets, a fools cap on each head.
Patrioii! Virtuoii, ctitori de aezminte, But nothey teach us wisdom and make our laws instead.
Unde spumeg desfrul n micri i n cuvinte, Patriotism ! Justice ! Such guardians of our State
Cu evlavie de vulpe, ca n strane, ed pe locuri Despise the laws as nonsense that they themselves create.
i aplaud frenetic schime, cntece i jocuri As sly as artful foxes they will the benches throng
i apoi n sfatul rii se adun s se admire Frenetically applauding our country game and song ;
Bulgroi cu ceafa groas, grecotei cu nas subire; Then meeting in the Senate each others praises speak
Toate mutrele acestea sunt pretinse de roman, This heavy-throated Bulgar, that long and hook-nosed Greek.
Toat greco-bulgrimea e nepoata lui Traian! Each claims to be Romanian, whatever mask he wears,
Spuma asta-nveninat, ast plebe, st gunoi These Bulgo-Greeks pretending that they are Trajans heirs;
S ajung-a fi stpn i pe ar i pe noi! This poison froth, this dung-heap, this foul and filthy brood
Tot ce-n rile vecine e smintit i strpitur, Have they indeed inherited our nations masterhood !
Tot ce-i nsemnat cu pata putrejunii de natur, The scourings of everywhere, the abortive and the maimed,
Tot ce e perfid i lacom, tot Fanarul, toi iloii, All that man rejected and nature has disclaimed,
Toi se scurser aicea i formeaz patrioii, These crafty, greedy gluttons, these grasping Phanariots
nct fonfii i flecarii, gguii i guaii, To us they all have flooded and pose as patriots.
Blbii cu gura strmb sunt stpnii astei naii! Until at last these nothings, this foul and loathful scum,
Voi suntei urmaii Romei? Nite ri i nite fameni! These cripple-minded stammerers lords of our land become.
I-e ruine omenirii s v zic vou oameni! Are you then Romes descendants, you eunuchs and no men ?
i aceast cium-n lume i aceste creaturi If you were men in earnest, pity it were that then
Nici ruine n-au s ieie n smintitele lor guri This hungry plague of locusts, these creatures crazed and lame
Gloria neamului nostru spre-a o face de ocar, Dare part their lips in public and flatter without shame
ndrznesc ca s rosteasc pn i numele tu ar! Our nations majesty, and make it odious stand,
La Paris, n lupanare de cinismu i de lene, Dare even speak thy name o miserable land !
Cu femeile-i pierdute i-n orgiile-i obscene, In Paris pleasure houses, there has your congress been;
Acolo v-ai pus averea, tinereele la stos With jaded, worthless women, in revelry obscene,
Ce a scos din voi Apusul, cnd nimic nu e de scos? In sloth and vulgar rioting you wasted and youth;
Ne-ai venit apoi, drept minte o sticlu de pomad, In you what could develop, that empty are in sooth ?
Cu monoclu-n ochi, drept arm beior de promenad, And, coming back, for wisdom a perfume flask you brought,
Vestejii fr de vreme, dar cu creieri de copil, A monocle you flourished, a cane for sword you bought.
Drept tiin-avnd n minte vreun val de Bal-Mabil, Withered up before your time, yet childish in your brain,
Iar n schimb cu-averea toat vrun papuc de curtezan For scientific knowledge a Bal-Mabil refrain,
O, te-admir, progenitur de origine roman! And all your fathers riches spent on some harlots shoe:
i acum privii cu spaim faa noastr sceptic-rece, O admirable and worthy offspring of Romans, you !
V mirai cum de minciuna astzi nu vi se mai trece? And now just look with horror on faces sceptic cold,
Cnd vedem c toi aceia care vorbe mari arunc What wonder that your falsehoods no more persuasion hold ?
Numai banul l vneaz i ctigul fr munc, When those who speak fine phrases and lofty sermons give
Azi, cnd fraza lustruit nu mai poate nela, Would simply fill their pockets, that they may lazy live,
Astzi alii sunt de vin, domnii mei, nu este-aa? Today the polished discourse does little credence know,
Prea v-ai artat arama sfiind aceast ar, But others are the reasons, dear Sirs, is that not so ?
Prea fcuri neamul nostru de ruine i ocar, Too much have you made riches and power your single aim,
 Too much have brought our nation to ridicule and shame,
Prea v-ai btut joc de limb, de strbuni i obicei,
Too much you mocked the language and customs of this race,
Ca s nu s-arate-odat ce suntei nite miei!
That now at last your mocking does but yourselves disgrace,
Da, ctigul fr munc, iat singura pornire;
While self was eer the craving that in your spirits stirred,
Virtutea? e-o nerozie; Geniul? o nefericire.
Genius? A nonsense. Virtue? But a word.
Dar lsai mcar strmoii ca s doarm-n colb de cronici;
O, leave in the old chronicles our forefathers to rest;
Din trecutul de mrire v-ar privi cel mult ironici.
For they would gaze upon you with irony at best.
Cum nu vii tu, epe doamne, ca punnd mna pe ei,
Rise once more, o Tepes! Take and divide these men
S-i mpari n dou cete: n smintii i n miei,
As lunatics and rogues in two big tribes, and then
i n dou temnii large cu de-a sila s-i aduni,
In mighty, twin infirmaries by force both tribes intern,
S dai foc la pucrie i la casa de nebuni!
And with a single faggot prison and madhouse burn.
Mihai Eminescu traducere de Corneliu M. Popescu

Luceafrul
(The Morning Star)

A fost odat ca-n poveti, Once on a time, as poets sing

A fost ca niciodat, High tales with fancy laden,
Din rude mari mprteti, Born of a very noble king
O prea frumoas fat. There lived a wondrous maiden.

i era una la prini An only child, her kinsfolk boon,

i mndr-n toate cele, So fair, imagination faints;
Cum e Fecioara ntre sfini As though amidst the stars the moon,
i luna ntre stele. Or Mary amidst the saints.
Din umbra falnicelor boli From neath the castles dark retreat,
Ea pasul i-l ndreapt Her silent way she wended
Lng fereastr, unde-n col Each evening to the window-seat
Luceafrul ateapt. Where Lucifer attended.
Privea n zare cum pe mri And secretly, with never fail,
Rsare i strluce, She watched his double race,
Pe mictoarele crri Where vessels drew their pathless trail
Corbii negre duce. Across the oceans face.
l vede azi, l vede mni, And as intent she drank his light,
Astfel dorina-i gata; Desire was quickly there;
El iar, privind de sptmni, While he who saw her every night
i cade drag fata. Soon fell in love with her.
Cum ea pe coate-i rzima And sitting thus with rested head,
Visnd ale ei tmple Her elbows on the sill,
De dorul lui i inima Her heart by youthful fancy led
i sufletu-i se mple. Did with deep longing fill.
i ct de viu s-aprinde el While he, a brilliant shining spark,
n oriicare sar, Glowed always yet more clear
Spre umbra negrului castel Towards the castle tall and dark
Cnd ea o s-i apar. Where she would soon appear.
* *
i pas cu pas pe urma ei Until one night with shower of rays
Alunec-n odaie, He slips into her room,
esnd cu recile-i scntei As though a strange and silver haze
O mreaj de vpaie. Did round about her loom.
i cnd n pat se-ntinde drept And when at last the child to rest
Copila s se culce, Upon her sofa lies,
I-atinge minile pe piept, He lays her arms across her breast
I-nchide geana dulce; And closes her soft eyes.
i din oglind lumini While where his ray on mirror lands
Pe trupu-i se revars, And is upon her couch redrifted,
Pe ochii mari, btnd nchii It falls upon her throat and hands
Pe faa ei ntoars.
Ea l privea cu un surs,
El tremura-n oglind,
Cci o urma adnc n vis
De suflet s se prind.
Iar ea vorbind cu el n somn,
Oftnd din greu suspin
- O, dulce-al nopii mele domn,
De ce nu vii tu? Vin!
Cobori n jos, luceafr blnd,
Alunecnd pe-o raz,
Ptrunde-n cas i n gnd
i viaa-mi lumineaz!
El asculta tremurtor,
Se aprindea mai tare
i s-arunca fulgertor,
Se cufunda n mare;
i apa unde-au fost czut
n cercuri se rotete,
i din adnc necunoscut
Un mndru tnr crete.
Uor el trece ca pe prag
Pe marginea ferestei
i ine-n mn un toiag
ncununat cu trestii.
Prea un tnr voevod
Cu pr de aur moale,
Un vnt giulgi se-ncheie nod
Pe umerele goale.
Iar umbra feei strvezii
E alb ca de cear -
Un mort frumos cu ochii vii
Ce scnteie-n afar.
- Din sfera mea venii cu greu
Ca s-i urmez chemarea,
Iar cerul este tatl meu
i mum-mea e marea.
Ca n cmara ta s vin,
S te privesc de-aproape,
Am cobort cu-al meu senin
i m-am nscut din ape.
O, vin! odorul meu nespus,
i lumea ta o las;
Eu sunt luceafrul de sus,
Iar tu s-mi fii mireas.
Colo-n palate de mrgean
Te-oi duce veacuri multe,
i toat lumea-n ocean
De tine o s-asculte.
- O, eti frumos, cum numa-n vis
Un nger se arat,
Dar pe calea ce-ai deschis
N-oi merge niciodat;
Strin la vorb i la port,
Luceti fr de via,
Cci eu sunt vie, tu eti mort,
i ochiul tu m-nghea.
* *
Trecu o zi, trecur trei
i iari, noaptea, vine
And on her face uplifted.
A smile is on her lips it seems;
He in the mirror trembles,
For smooth his ray glides midst her dreams
And round her soul assembles.
And while she is in slumber gone
She murmurs through her sighs:
Come down to me beloved one,
Fair prince of the clear skies.
Come down, good Lucifer and kind,
O lord of my aspire,
And flood my chamber and my mind
With your sweetest fire!
And Lucifer beams still more bright
To hear her words emotion;
Then like a comet in its flight
Dives down into the ocean.
And where his bolt is lost to view
The sea in whirlpool surges,
Till out of the unfathomed blue
A handsome youth emerges,
Who, leaping off the fretful wave,
Lightly through her casement passes;
And in his hand he holds a stave
Crowned with a wreath of grasses.
A prince indeed of royal stock,
With heavy hanging golden hair;
A purple winding-sheet his smock,
Hung round his shoulders bare.
A starry glow shines from his eyes,
His cheeks are deathly white;
A lifeless thing in living guise,
A youth born of the night.
Down from the spheres do I come
Though dreadful the commotion,
My father is the vaulted dome,
My mother is the ocean.
For I have left my realm to keep
Obedience to your command;
Born of the zenith and the deep
Before you here I stand.
O come, fair child of royal birth,
Cast this your world aside,
For Lucifer has flown to earth
To claim you as his bride.
And you will live till time is done
In castles built of sky,
And all the fish will be your own,
And all the birds that fly.
O, beautiful you are, good Sire,
As but an angel prince could be,
But to the course that you desire
I never shall agree.
Strange, as your voice and vesture show,
I live while you are dead;
Your eyes gleam with an icy glow
Which fills my soul with dread.
One day went past, and went past two,
Then oer the castle dark,
Luceafrul deasupra ei
Cu razele-i senine.
Ea trebui de el n somn
Aminte s-i aduc
i dor de-al valurilor domn
De inim-o apuc.
- Cobori n jos, luceafr blnd,
Alunecnd pe-o raz,
Ptrunde-n cas i n gnd
i viaa-mi lumineaz!
Cum el din cer o auzi,
Se stinse cu durere,
Iar ceru-ncepe a roti
n locul unde piere;
n aer rumene vpi
Se-ntind pe lumea-ntreag,
i din a chaosului vi
Un mndru chip se-ncheag;
Pe negre viele-i de pr
Coroana-i arde pare,
Venea plutind n adevr
Scldat n foc de soare.
Din negru giulgi se desfor
Marmoreele brae,
El vine trist i gnditor
i palid e la fa;
Dar ochii mari i minunai
Lucesc adnc himeric,
Ca dou patimi fr sa
i pline de-ntuneric.
- Din sfera mea venii cu greu
Ca s te-ascult -acuma,
i soarele e tatl meu,
Iar noaptea-mi este muma;
O, vin, odorul meu nespus,
i lumea ta o las;
Eu sunt luceafrul de sus,
Iar tu s-mi fii mireas.
O, vin, n prul tu blai
S-anin cununi de stele,
Pe-a mele ceruri s rsai
Mai mndr dect ele.
- O, eti frumos cum numa-n vis
Un demon se arat,
Dar pe calea ce-ai deschis
N-oi merge niciodat!
M dor de crudul tu amor
A pieptului meu coarde,
i ochii mari i grei m dor,
Privirea ta m arde.
- Dar cum ai vrea s m cobor?
Au nu-nelegi tu oare,
Cum c eu sunt nemuritor,
i tu eti muritoare?
- Nu caut vorbe pe ales,
Nici tiu cum a ncepe -
Dei vorbeti pe neles,
Eu nu te pot pricepe;
Dar dac vrei cu crezmnt
S te-ndrgesc pe tine,
Fair Lucifer again to view
Shone forth his lustrous spark.
And scarce his beam waved bright above,
Her dreams to him were borne,
Her heart again by aching love
And cruel longing torn.
Come down, good Lucifer and kind,
O lord of my aspire,
And flood my chamber and my mind
With your sweetest fire!
Now, as he heard her tender cry
With pain he fadet out,
And lightning flew about the sky,
Which wheeled and rocked about;
Around the earth a lurid glow
Poured like a torrent race,
Till out of its chaotic flow
There grew a human face;
About the head dark wisps of hair
Girt with a crown of flame,
And through the sun-illumined air
Borne up by truth he came.
His arms of rounded marble sheen
Did neath a cloak of raven show,
And sad and thoughtful was his mien
And pallid was his brow.
Bright eyes he had that seemd to tell
Of strange chimeric bonds;
And deep they were as passions spell,
And dark as moonlit ponds.
Down from the spheres have I flown,
Though terrible my flight;
My father wears Apollos crown,
My mother is the night.
O come, fair child of royal birth,
Cast this your world aside,
For Lucifer has flown to earth
To claim you as his bride.
A starry halo from the skies
About your hair will fall,
And you among the spheres will rise
The proudest of them all.
O, beautiful you are, good Sire,
As but a demon prince could be,
But to the course of your desire
I never shall agree.
You wound me with your crude behest;
I dread what you extol;
Your heavy eyes, as though possessed,
Gleam down into my soul.
But why should I descend to thee ?
Far better what I give;
My days are all eternity,
While you but one hour live.
I would not chosen phrases seek,
Nor carefully my world arrange,
But though with human mouth you speak,
Your speech to me is strange.
Yet if you wish to prove your worth,
That I betroth myself to you,
Tu te coboar pe pmnt,
Fii muritor ca mine.
- Tu-mi cei chiar nemurirea mea
n schimb pe-o srutare,
Dar voi s tii asemenea
Ct te iubesc de tare;
Da, m voi nate din pcat,
Primind o alt lege;
Cu vecinicia sunt legat,
Ci voi s m dezlege.
i se tot duce S-a tot dus.
De dragu-unei copile,
S-a rupt din locul lui de sus,
Pierind mai multe zile.
* *
n vremea asta Ctlin,
Viclean copil de cas,
Ce mple cupele cu vin
Mesenilor la mas,
Un paj ce poart pas cu pas
A-mprtesii rochii,
Biat din flori i de pripas,
Dar ndrzne cu ochii,
Cu obrjei ca doi bujori
De rumeni, bat-i vina,
Se furieaz pnditor
Privind la Ctlina.
Dar ce frumoas se fcu
i mndr, arz-o focul;
Ei Ctlin, acu-i acu
Ca s-i ncerci norocul.
i-n treact o cuprinse lin
ntr-un ungher degrab.
- Da ce vrei, mri Ctlin?
Ia du-t de-i vezi de treab.
- Ce voi? A vrea s nu mai stai
Pe gnduri totdeuna,
S rzi mai bine i s-mi dai
O gur, numai una.
- Dar nici nu tiu mcar ce-mi ceri,
D-mi pace, fugi departe -
O, de luceafrul din cer
M-a prins un dor de moarte.
- Dac nu tii, i-a arta
Din bob n bob amorul,
Ci numai nu te mnia,
Ci stai cu biniorul.
Cum vntoru-ntinde-n crng
La psrele laul,
Cnd i-oi ntinde braul stng
S m cuprinzi cu braul;
i ochii ti nemictori
Sub ochii mei rmie
De te nal de subiori
Te-nal din clcie;
Cnd faa mea se pleac-n jos,
n sus rmi cu faa,
S ne privim nesios
i dulce toat viaa;
i ca s-i fie pe deplin
Well, then come down to me on earth
And be a mortal too.
You ask my endless life above
To barter for a kiss.
Aye, I will show how my love,
How deep my longing is.
My birthright I will fling aside
To be reborn of sin, and I
Who to all rolling time am tied,
Will that great knot untie.
At which he turned and went away,
Midst a cloud of somber pearl,
To renounce his birthright from that day
For the love of a mortal girl.
About this time, young Ctlin
Was a page boy of that house,
Who filled the festive cups with wine
At feast and royal carouse,
And carried high the regal train;
A foundling, brought by chance,
Born of a humble unknown strain,
Though roguish in his glance,
Round-cheeked, like rose-apples red,
Mischievous, bright-eyed,
He slipped with quick yet stealthy tread
To Ctlinas side.
Upon my soul, Queen of romance!
Was such a darling ever?
Come Ctlin, quick try your chance,
For nows your time or never.
At which he round her waist did twine
His arm in sudden wooing.
Behave, you rascal Ctlin,
Whatever are you doing ?
By sorrow brooding all the while
You would your heart assuage,
But better you would turn and smile
And kiss just once your page.
I know not what your wishes are,
Leave me alone, you knave.
Ah me ! The longing for that star
Will drive me to the grave.
If you dont know, and you would learn
How love is set about,
Dont recklessly my teaching spurn,
First fairly hear me out.
As trappers deftly birds pursue
With nets among the tree,
When I stretch out my arm to you,
Slip your arm thus round me.
Your eyes into my eyes must glow,
Nor turn away, nor close;
And when I lift you softly, so,
Rise gently on your toes.
And when my face is downwards bent
Your face turned up will stay,
That we may gaze with sweet intent
For ever and a day.
While should you wish at last to learn
Iubirea cunoscut,
Cnd srutndu-te m-nclin,
Tu iari m srut. Give back again my kiss.
Ea-l asculta pe copila
Uimit i distras,
i ruinos i drgla, She blushed and turned away her eyes,
Mai nu vrea, mai se las.
i-i zise-ncet: nc de mic
Te cunoteam pe tine,
i guraliv i de nimic,
Te-ai potrivi cu mine
Dar un luceafr, rsrit
Din linitea uitrii,
D orizon nemrginit
Singurtii mrii;
i tainic genele le plec,
Cci mi le mple plnsul
Cnd ale apei valuri trec
Cltorind spre dnsul;
Lucete c-un amor nespus
Durerea s-mi alunge,
Dar se nal tot mai sus,
Ca s nu-l pot ajunge.
Ptrunde trist cu raze reci
Din lumea ce-l desparte
n veci l voi iubi i-n veci
Va rmnea departe
De-aceea zilele mi sunt
Pustii ca nite stepe,
Dar nopile-s de-un farmec sfnt
Ce-l nu mai pot pricepe.
- Tu eti copil, asta e
Hai -om fugi n lume,
Doar ni s-or pierde urmele
i nu ne-or ti de nume,
Cci amndoi vom fi cumini,
Vom fi voioi i teferi,
Vei pierde dorul de prini
i visul de luceferi.
Porni luceafrul. Creteau
n cer a lui aripe,
i ci de mii de ani treceau
n tot attea clipe.
Un cer de stele dedesubt,
Deasupra-i cer de stele -
Prea un fulger nentrerupt
Rtcitor prin ele.
i din a chaosului vi,
Jur mprejur de sine,
Vedea, ca-n ziua cea de-nti,
Cum izvorau lumine;
Cum izvornd l nconjor
Ca nite mri, de-a-notul
El zboar, gnd purtat de dor,
Pn piere totul, totul;
Cci unde-ajunge nu-i hotar,
Nici ochi spre a cunoate,
i vremea-ncearc n zadar
Din goluri a se nate.
The measure of loves bliss,
When hot my lips on yours do burn
Amused, yet with a girls surprise
At what the youth acclaimed,
Half willing, half ashamed.
A chatterbox you were since small
With overmuch to tell,
Yet I had felt, in spite of all,
Wed suit each other well.
But Lucifers slow sailing spark
Crept up out of the sea
Over the horizons arc,
Prince of eternity.
And now my wretched heart does bleed,
With tears my eyes grow dim,
Wheneer I watch the waves that speed
Across the sea to him.
While he looms with adoring ray
My grief to overthrow,
Yet ever climbs to heights away
Where mortals cannot go.
His silver beams that space defy
Sadly my watchers are
And I shall love him till I die,
Yet he be ever far.
And thus it is the days to me
Are drear as desert sand,
The nights filled with a mystery
I dare not understand
How childish is the way you speak.
Come on! Come, lets us run away,
That all the world for us shall seek
Though no one finds the way.
And we shall nothing of this life regret
But joyous live and sprightly,
Till soon your parents youll forget,
Nor dream your longings nightly.
* *
Lucifer set out and oer
The sky his wings extended,
And million years flew past before
As many moments ended.
A sky of stars above his way,
A sky of stars below;
As lightning flash midst them astray
In one continuous flow.
Till round his primal chaos hurled
When out of causeless night
The first, uplaming dawn unfurled
Its miracle of light.
Still further flew he ere the start
Of things of form devoid,
Spurred by the yearning of his heart,
Far back into the void.
Yet where he reachs is not the bourn
Nor yet where eye can see;
Beyond where struggling time was torn
Out of eternity.
Nu e nimic i totui e
O sete care-l soarbe,
E un adnc asemene
Uitrii celei oarbe.
- De greul negrei vecinicii,
Printe, m dezleag
i ludat pe veci s fii
Pe-a lumii scar-ntreag;
O, cere-mi, Doamne, orice pre,
Dar d-mi o alt soarte,
Cci tu izvor eti de viei
i dttor de moarte;
Reia-mi al nemuririi nimb
i focul din privire,
i pentru toate d-mi n schimb
O or de iubire
Din chaos, Doamne,-am aprut
i m-a ntoarce-n chaos
i din repaos m-am nscut.
Mi-e sete de repaos.
- Hyperion, ce din genuni
Rsai c-o-ntreag lume,
Nu cere semne i minuni
Care n-au chip i nume;
Tu vrei un om s te socoi,
Cu ei s te asameni?
Dar piar oamenii cu toi,
S-ar nate iari oameni.
Ei doar au stele cu noroc
i prigoniri de soarte,
Noi nu avem nici timp, nici loc,
i nu cunoatem moarte.
Din snul vecinicului ieri
Triete azi ce moare,
Un soare de s-ar stinge-n cer
S-aprinde iari soare;
Din snul vecinicului ieri
Triete azi ce moare,
Un soare de s-ar stinge-n cer
S-aprinde iari soare;
Iar tu, Hyperion, rmi
Oriunde ai apune
Cere-mi cuvntul meu de-nti -
S-i dau nelepciune?
i pentru cine vrei s mori?
ntoarce-te, te-ndreapt
Spre-acel pmnt rtcitor
i vezi ce te ateapt.
* *
n locul lui menit din cer
Hyperion se-ntoarse
i, ca i-n ziua cea de ieri,
Lumina i-o revars.
Cci este sara-n asfinit
i noaptea o s-nceap;
Rsare luna linitit
i tremurnd din ap.
i mple cu-ale ei scntei
Crrile din crnguri.
Sub irul lung de mndri tei
Around him there was naught And still,
Strange yearning there was yet,
A yearning that all space did fill,
As when the blind forget.
O, Father God, this knot untie
Of my celestial birth,
And praised you will be on high
And on the rolling earth.
The price you ask is little count,
Give fate another course,
For you are of fair life the fount
And of calm death the source.
Take back this halo from my head,
Take back my starry lour,
And give to me, o God, instead
Of human love one hour.
Out of the chaos was I wrought,
In chaos would I be dispersed,
Out of the empty darkness brought,
For darkness do I thirst
Hyperion, o child divine,
Dont thus your state disclaim,
Nor ask for miracle, nor sign
That has nor sense nor name.
You wish to be of man a son,
To be a star you scorn;
But men quick perish every one,
And men each day are born.
Yet stars burn on with even glow,
And it is fates intending
That they nor time, nor place shall know,
Unfettered and unending.
Out of eternal yesterday
Into tomorrows grave,
Even the sun will pass way
That other suns shall lave;
The sun that every morn does rise
At last its spirit gives;
For each thing lives because it dies,
And dies because it lives.
But you, Hyperion, never wane,
Nights miracle sublime,
But in the sky your place retain,
The wonder of all time.
So what strange fancy holds your mind ?
What dreaming thus belates you?
Return to earth and there youll find
The awakening that awaits you.
Hyperion did straightway go
To where through ages gone
His gleam upon the earth below
Nightly he had shone.
And it was evening when he came,
Nights darkness slow assembled,
And rose the moon a frozen flame
That in the water trembled,
And filled the forests twilight clime
With a silver starry mist,
Where neath a tall and spreading lime
edeau doi tineri singuri. Two fair-haired children kissed.
- O, las-mi capul meu pe sn, O, let me lay in lovers wise
Iubito, s se culce My head upon your breast,
Sub raza ochiului senin Beneath the wonder of your eyes,
i negrit de dulce; In soft and fragrant rest.
Cu farmecul luminii reci In mysterys enchanted light
Gndirile strbate-mi, Pervade me with your charm,
Revars linite de veci And flood my soul through passions night
Pe noaptea mea de patimi. With times eternal calm.
i de asupra mea rmi O, quench my longings eager thirst,
Durerea mea de-o curm, My aching doubts oercast,
Cci eti iubirea mea de-nti For you to me are love the first
i visul meu din urm. And of my dreams the last.
Hyperion vedea de sus Hyperion gazed down and knew
Uimirea-n a lor fa; The fire their souls possessed;
Abia un bra pe gt i-a pus For scarce the boy her nearer drew,
i ea l-a prins n brae She clasped him to her breast.
Miroase florile-argintii A rain of petals in the air
i cad, o dulce ploaie, That softly did enfold
Pe cretetele-a doi copii Two fervent children strangely fair,
Cu plete lungi, blaie. With locks of plated gold.
Ea, mbtat de amor, She, lost in loves enraptured flight
Ridic ochii. Vede To heaven turned her eyes,
Luceafrul. i-ncetior Saw Lucifers down shining light
Dorinele-i ncrede: And whispered through her sighs:
- Cobori n jos, luceafr blnd, Come down, good Lucifer and kind,
Alunecnd pe-o raz, O lord of my aspire,
Ptrunde-n codru i n gnd, And fill the forest and my mind
Norocu-mi lumineaz! With your sweetest fire!
El tremur ca alte di And Lucifer, alone in space,
n codri i pe dealuri, Her tender summons heard,
Cluzind singurti A planet oer the oceans face
De mictoare valuri; That trembled at her word,
Dar nu mai cade ca-n trecut But did not plunge asn former day,
n mri din tot naltul And in his heart did cry:
- Ce-i pas ie, chip de lut, O, what care you, fair face of clay,
Dac-oi fi eu sau altul? If it be he or I?
Trind n cercul vostru strmt Still earth shall only earth remain,
Norocul v petrece, Let luck its course unfold,
Ci eu n lumea mea m simt And I in my own kingdom reign
Nemuritor i rece. Immutable and cold.

Mihai Eminescu traducere de Corneliu M. Popescu

Pe lng plopii fr so
(Down where the lonely poplars grow)

Pe lng plopii fr so Down where the lonely poplars grow

Adesea am trecut; How often have I erred;
M cunoteau vecinii toi - My steps that all the neighbours know
Tu nu m-ai cunoscut. You only have not heard.

La geamul tu ce strlucea Towards your window lighted through

Privii att de des; How oft my gaze has flown;
O lume toat-nelegea - A world entire my secret knew
Tu nu m-ai neles. You only have not known.
De cte ori am ateptat A word, a murmur of reply
O oapt de rspuns!
O zi din via s-mi fi dat,
O zi mi-era de-ajuns;
O or s fi fost amici,
S ne iubim cu dor,
S-ascult de glasul gurii mici
O or, i s mor.
Dndu-mi din ochiul tu senin
O raz dinadins,
n calea timpilor ce vin
O stea s-ar fi aprins;
Ai fi trit n veci de veci
i rnduri de viei,
Cu ale tale brae reci
nmrmureai mre,
Un chip de-a pururi adorat
Cum nu mai au perechi
Acele zne ce strbat
Din timpurile vechi.
Cci te iubeam cu ochi pgni
i plini de suferini,
Ce mi-i lsar din btrni
Prinii din prini.
Azi nici mcar mi pare ru
C trec cu mult mai rar,
C cu tristee capul tu
Se-ntoarce n zadar,
Cci azi le semeni tuturor
La umblet i la port,
i te privesc nepstor
C-un rece ochi de mort.
Tu trebuia s te cuprinzi
De acel farmec sfnt
i noaptea candel s-aprinzi
Iubirii pe pmnt.
Mihai Eminescu
i dac ramuri bat n geam
i se cutremur plopii,
E ca n minte s te am
i-ncet s te apropii.
i dac stele bat n lac
Adncu-i luminndu-l,
E ca durerea mea s-o-mpac
nseninndu-mi gndul.
i dac norii dei se duc
De iese-n luciu luna,
E ca aminte s-mi aduc
De tine-ntotdeauna.
Mihai Eminescu
How often did I pray!
What matters then if I should die,
Enough to live that day;
To know one hour of tenderness,
One hour of lovers night;
To hear you whispers soft caress
One hour, then come what might!
Had you but granted me a glance
That was not filles with scorn,
Out of its shinning radiance
A new star hab been born.
You would have lived through lives untold
Beyond the ends of time;
O deity with arms so cold,
O marble form sublime!
An idol of some pagan lore
As now no more is seen,
Come down to us from times yore,
From times that long have been.
My worship was of ages gone,
Sad eyes by faith beguiled,
Each generation handed on
From father unto child.
But now I very little care
To walk along that lane,
Nor heed the face I found so fair
Looks out for me in vain;
For you are like them today
In bearing and in guise,
And I but look on your display
With cold and lifeless eyes.
You should have known to value right
With wondering intent,
And lit your candela at night
To Love that God had sent.
Traducere de Corneliu M. Popescu
i dac
(And If)
And if the branches tap my pane
And the poplars whisper nightly,
It is to make me dream again
I hold you to me tightly.
And if the stars shine on the pond
And light its sombre shoal,
It is to quench my minds despond
And flood with peace my soul.
And if the clouds their tresses part
And does the moon outblaze,
It is but to remind my heart
I long for you always.
Traducere de Corneliu M. Popescu
Sonet I (Afar-I toamn)_
 Sonnet I (Without tis autumn...)
Afar-i toamn, frunz-mprtiat,
Iar vntul zvrle-n geamuri grele picuri;
i tu citeti scrisori din roase plicuri
i ntr-un ceas gndeti la viaa toat.
Pierzndu-i timpul tu cu dulci nimicuri,
N-ai vrea ca nime-n ua ta s bat;
Dar i mai bine-i, cnd afar-i zloat,
S stai visnd la foc, de somn s picuri.
i eu astfel m uit din je pe gnduri,
Visez la basmul vechi al znei Dochii;
n juru-mi ceaa crete rnduri-rnduri;
Deodat-aud fonirea unei rochii,
Un moale pas abia atins de scnduri
Iar mini subiri i reci mi-acopr ochii.
Mihai Eminescu
Sonet II (Sunt ani la mijloc...)
Sonnet II (The years have sped...)
Sunt ani la mijloc i-nc muli vor trece
Din ceasul sfnt n care ne-ntlnirm,
Dar tot mereu gndesc cum ne iubirm,
Minune cu ochi mari i mn rece.
O, vino iar! Cuvinte dulci inspir-mi,
Privirea ta asupra mea se plece,
Sub raza ei m las a petrece
i cnturi nou smulge tu din lir-mi.
Tu nici nu tii a ta apropiere
Cum inima-mi de-adnc o linitete,
Ca rsrirea stelei n tcere;
Iar cnd te vd zmbind copilrete,
Se stinge-atunci o via de durere,
Privirea-mi arde, sufletul mi crete.
Mihai Eminescu
Sonet III (Cnd nsusi glasul)
Sonnet III (When een the inner voice)
Cnd nsui glasul gndurilor tace,
M-ngn cntul unei dulci evlavii -
Atunci te chem; chemarea-mi asculta-vei?
Din neguri reci plutind te vei desface?
Puterea nopii blnd nsenina-vei
Cu ochii mari i purttori de pace?
Rsai din umbra vremilor ncoace,
Ca s te vd venind ca-n vis, aa vii!
Cobori ncet aproape, mai aproape,
Te pleac iar zmbind peste-a mea fa,
A ta iubire c-un suspin arat-o,
Cu geana ta m-atinge pe pleoape,
S simt fiorii strngerii n brae -
Pe veci pierduto, vecinic adorato!
Mihai Eminescu
Without tis autumn, the wind beats on the pane
With heavy drops, the leaves high upwards sweep.
You take old letters from a crumpled heap,
And in one hour have lived your life again.
Musing, in this sweet wise the moments creep:
You pray no caller will your door attain;
Better it is when dreary falls the rain
To dream before the fire, awaiting sleep.
And thus alone, reclining in my chair,
The fairy Dochias tale comes to my mind
While round me haze is gathring in the air.
Then softly down the passage footsteps wind,
Faint, sound of rustling silk upon the stair
And now my eyes cold, tapering fingers bind.
traducere de Corneliu M. Popescu
The years have sped, and time still swiftly flies
Since that first sacred hour in which we met;
But how we loved I can no more forget,
Sweet wonder with cold hands and such big eyes.
O, come again! Your words inspire me yet,
While your soft gaze upon me gently lies,
Thatneath its ray new life in shall rise,
And you new songs upon my lyre beget.
When you come near to me you little know
How soothed my heart is then, as though with balm,
As when some star does in the heavens show;
Your childish smile so full of tender charm
Has power to quench this life drawn out in woe
And fill my eyes with fire, my soul with calm.
traducere de Corneliu M. Popescu
When een the inner voice of thought is still,
And does some sacred chant my soul endear,
Tis then I call to thee; but will you hear?
Will from the floating mists your form distil?
Will night its tender power of wonder rear
And your great, peaceful eyes their light fulfil,
That of the rays that bygone hours spill
To me as in a dream you do appear?
But come to me come near, come still more near
Smiling you bend to gaze into my face
While does your sigh gentle love make clear.
Upon my eyes I feel you lashes trace,
O love, for ever lost, for ever dear,
To know the aching thrill of your embrace!
traducere de Corneliu M. Popescu