Jonny

ELang 324

Translatio

 

Sonnet 27

 

Weary with toil, I haste to my bed,

The dear repose for limbs with travel tired;

But then begins a journey in my head,

To work my mind, when body’s work’s expired:

For then my thoughts, from far where I abide,

Intend a zealous pilgrimage to thee,

And keep my drooping eyelids open wide,

Looking on darkness which the blind do see

Save that my soul’s imaginary sight

Presents thy shadow to my sightless view,

Which, like a jewel hung in ghastly night,

Makes black night beauteous and her old face new.

Lo! Thus, by day my limbs, by night my mind,

For thee and for myself no quiet find.

 

Spanish Translation

 

Cansado de trabajo, me llama la cama,

Descanso dulce a piernas muertas de viaje;

Viaje nuevo en la mente se forma,

Le obra sobre mente, y’el cuerpo yace.

La reflección, que’s lejos de mi sitio,

Intenta una romeraje hacerte;

Y no me dejan cerrar los ojitos.

Expansa negra, yo pensé verte;

Más alma mía, fingida vista tuya

La sombra de m’amor a mi presenta

Que, como joya brilla en noche de brujas,

Transforma noche negra a belleza.

Entón, por día las manos, por noche la mente,

Pa tí, pa mí solaz hallar no se puede.

 

Present Day English Translation

 

Exhausted from work, I’m called to lay in bed,

The rest is sweet to feet that’re tired from travel;

But now a trip begins inside my head,

It works upon my mind as body unravels;

Reflecting far from where I now am laying,

My mind embarks on pilgimage to you;

My weary eyes, their sleep my mind delaying,

See black in pure, too dark for eyes to pierce through;

My soul, through your imaginary sight

The faintest shadow of my love is seen

That, like a jewel that shines in witch’s night,

It turns the darkness into beauty pristine.

By day my hands, and by the night my mind,

For you, for me true rest is hard to find.