Waking the Moon

Anyway those things would not have lasted long. The experience

of the years shows it to me.

But Destiny arrived

in some haste and stopped them.

The beautiful life was brief.

But how potent were the perfumes,

on how splendid a bed we lay,

to what sensual delight we gave our bodies.

An echo of the days of pleasure,

an echo of the days drew near me,

a little of the fire of the youth of both of us;

again I took in my hands a letter,

and I read and reread till the light was gone.

And melancholy, I came out on the balcony—

came out to change my thoughts at least by looking at

a little of the city that I loved,

a little movement on the street, and in the shops.

If all those young men were like hares on the mountain

Then all those pretty maidens would get guns, go a-hunting.

If all those young men were like fish in the water

Then all those pretty maidens would soon follow after.

If all those young men were like rushes a-growing

Then all those pretty maidens would get scythes, go a-mowing.