II. Unacknowledged and Uncollected Translations. Sicilian Canzonet

WHAT shall I do, sweet Nici, tell me,

I burn,—I burn—I can no more!

I know not how the thing befell me,

But I ’m in love, and all is o’er.

One look,—alas! one glance of thine,

One single glance my death shall be;

Even this poor heart no more is mine,

For, Nici, it belongs to thee.

How shall I then my grief repress,

How shall this soul in anguish live?

I fear a no,—desire a yes,—

But which the answer thou wilt give?

No,—Love,—not so deceived am I;

Soft pity dwells in those bright eyes,

And no tyrannic cruelty

Within that gentle bosom lies.

Then, fairest Nici, speak and say

If I must know thy love or hate;

Oh, do not leave me thus, I pray,

But speak,—be quick,—I cannot wait.

Quick,—I entreat thee;—if not so,

This weary soul no more shall sigh;—

So tell me quickly,—yes or no,

Which,—which shall be my destiny.