English poem
On a Departure
by Garcilaso de la Vega (1503–1536)
Perhaps the youth who seemed so cold In leaving thee so soon, to seek Scenes where he will no more behold Thy lustrous eye and smiling cheek, Yet loved thee much,—the hope to meet Once more, makes ev'n departure sweet.
It is not possible that one Like him considerate—Love forbid! Thinking he knew thee, could have known, Enchanted mortal, what he did, When he empowered thee thus to weave His joy and grief the self-same eve.
He took perhaps the readiest way He could have done thy worth to know; From thy fine face and finer play Of wit he could not, could not go, And seeing thee but once, remain Content to see thee ne'er again.
More by Garcilaso de la Vega
- Now, all pomp, the Moorish hero
- Of figure very graceful, with an amorous look, correct
- Oh God, thou art the King of kings, and Sire of all mankind
- Oh tender slip of the most beauteous tree
- On His Return to Italy from the Spanish Embassy
- On the Death of His Brother, Don Bernardino de Toledo
- Past now the countries of the Midland Main
- Praise of Little Women