I little thought that I would learn to die; <br />Forever young, enveloped in my cloak, <br />My dreaming eyes I lifted to the star <br />Of solitude. <br /> <br />When of a sudden you stood in my way, <br />On, anguish you, of nameless suffering sweet... <br />And to the dregs I dank the draught of death <br />Unpardoning. <br /> <br />Miserably I burn alive like Nessus, <br />Or Hercules wrapped in his poisoned cloak; <br />The fire in me the boundless sea itself <br />Could never quench. <br /> <br />By my own dreams consumed, I endless wail; <br />At my own pile I am consumed in flame, <br />Shall I then luminous one day return <br />As does the Phoenix? <br /> <br />Tormenting eyes but vanish from my way, <br />Come to my breast again sad unconcern; <br />That I may die in peace at last, myself <br />Give back to me. <br /> <br />(Translated by Corneliu M. Popescu)<br /><br />Mihai Eminescu<br /><br />http://www.poemhunter.com/poem/ode-in-antique-metre/
