II. Unacknowledged and Uncollected Translations. The Lover’s Complaint

By Hernando de Herrera

BRIGHT Sun! that, flaming through the mid-day sky,

Fillest with light heaven’s blue, deep-vaulted arch,

Say, hast thou seen in thy celestial march

One hue to rival this blue, tranquil eye?

Thou Summer Wind, of soft and delicate touch,

Fanning me gently with thy cool, fresh pinion,

Say, hast thou found, in all thy wide dominion,

Tresses of gold, that can delight so much?

Moon, honor of the night! Thou glorious choir

Of wandering Planets and eternal Stars!

Say, have ye seen two peerless orbs like these?

Answer me, Sun, Air, Moon, and Stars of fire—

Hear ye my woes, that know no bounds nor bars?

See ye these cruel stars, that brighten and yet freeze?