II. Unacknowledged and Uncollected Translations. The Disembodied Spirit

By Hernando de Herrera

PURE Spirit! that within a form of clay

Once veiled the brightness of thy native sky;

In dreamless slumber sealed thy burning eye,

Nor heavenward sought to wing thy flight away!

He that chastised thee did at length unclose

Thy prison doors, and give thee sweet release;—

Unloosed the mortal coil, eternal peace

Received thee to its stillness and repose.

Look down once more from thy celestial dwelling,

Help me to rise and be immortal there,—

An earthly vapor melting into air;—

For my whole soul, with secret ardor swelling,

From earth’s dark mansion struggles to be free,

And longs to soar away and be at rest with thee.