European Elegies/Autumn (1)/Darkness

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4.DARKNESS

The sun sets; and before the saddened eyeThe waning light fades wearily away;While night's dark hand, as it resumes its sway,Sows clouds in sorrow down the sombre sky.
The village roofs have vanished utterly,And the swart cypresses are lost in grey;All things are still, save where in yonder bayUpon the sands the dull waves slowly die.
With hand on brow, I sadly gaze amongThe shades that deepen round my darkened brainAnd teach my tears their passion to prolong;
And if I could command relief from pain,It would be that the night should last so longThat dreary day would never dawn again.


From the Portuguese of João Xavier de Mattos.

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