Miguel de Cervantes (1547–1616)

Translated by Charles Jarvis
From Don Quixote

IN the dead silence of the peaceful night,

When others’ cares are hushed in soft repose,

The sad account of my neglected woes

To conscious Heaven and Chloris I recite;

And when the sun, with his returning light,

Forth from the east his radiant journey goes,

With accents such as sorrow only knows

My grief to tell is all my poor delight

And when bright Phœbus from his starry throne

Sends rays direct upon the parchèd soil,

Still in the mournful tale I persevere;

Returning night renews my sorrow’s toil;

And tho’ from morn to night I weep and moan,

Nor Heaven nor Chloris doth my plainings hear.