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INSTABILITY.
FROM THE SPANISH.—SIXTEENTH CENTURY.
“Como estoy alegre Tristezas temo.”
- WHEN the day is brightest,
- Darkness draweth near;
- When the heart is lightest,
- Coming grief I fear.
- Eyes of heavenly splendour,
- Radiance o’er me fling;
- But when their light’s most tender
- I fear its vanishing.
- Lips, where passion keepeth
- Holiest incense, bend to mine;
- But when woman speaketh,
- Who would trust so false a shrine?
- Even in twined caresses
- Where love has woven his spells,
- Of the mutual love that blesses,
- I hear a voice which tells.
- As light with darkness weddeth,
- So must pleasure with annoy,
- And sorrow ever treadeth
- On the doomed path of joy.
