Disappointment

Shatter the cup, my heart,
before it reaches the lip,
and do not ask about the green visions
that laugh along its sides,
for they will turn to gloom —
because she who filled it,
and made its sweet perfumes fair to you,
was a wanton
who toys with the ardor of the youth
she draws along behind her

***

And sink this skiff, my heart,
before it leaves the shore,
and do not ask about its white sails
and its innocent talk
of a long voyage
in an ethereal world,
for its songs will turn to wailing —
because she who raised its masts
was a wanton
who toys with the devotion of the youth
she draws along behind her

***

And burn the walls of this vineyard, my heart,
and let the people drape themselves in its golden clusters,
and brood no longer over the sacred wines,
for they will turn to mirage —
because she who pressed them
was a wanton
who toys with the faith of the youth
she draws along behind her

***

And go back, my heart,

to the landmarks of your solitude,
to the dark melancholy
that wrapped your first days,
and enter no more the dancing halls —
because she of whom you would ask there
has merry airs that are not your airs,
and golden cups that are not your cup,
and laughing sails that are not your sail;
so do not trouble her serenity with your complaint,
but go back to your solitude
and blot from your memory that day
when she came down upon your land
and drew you out of your mocking, scoffing cave
and poured you a cup
you had been heedless of
and decked out for you a sail
whose soundness you had despaired of
and planted at every turning of your road
white lilies,
harbingers of the good fortune awaiting you —
until, when you had overcome your despair
and crossed the threshold of the cave
into your new world,
carrying to it the strains of your enchanting lyre
and the ardor of believing youth
resolved to build,
she set about mixing your longings
with a mocking laugh,
surrendering your reins to the fates,
heedless of dreams collapsing before her —
because the hour she came down upon your land
she was a wanton
who toys with the powers of the youth
she draws along behind her