Do you remember the day I found you — when I was

searching for myself...

standing at the crossroads, scanning

the faces of the passers-by in hope of coming upon my own face;

and I found myself the day I found you...

and I knew what woman I am... since I knew

what man you are...

What gladness visits me when I am with you!

And oh, the new world I see when I see you!

The sun of your heart lit the darkness of my heart,

and my eyes beheld what a beautiful world

I live in,

and what beauties live in me...

Do you remember the day I found you?

...I found my life the day I found you...

Out of the wreckage of my life you raised me a temple,

out of the shame of my weariness a hymn,

and out of my paltry existence a flourishing edifice

of faith...

Like the calm light of morning, you spread your light over

my heart;

with the bounty of the tender dew you fell upon

my withered life and revived it.

You stole, a warm feeling, into my blood...

I feel you and do not touch you. I perceive you and do not see you.

Tell me, what manner of creature are you...!?

You lifted me higher, many times over, than all the powers

of the world together could lift,

and you made me happier than any fate

could make happy.

You studded my eyes with stars and fitted

my chariots with wings —

oh, your wings, how strong they are, outsoaring the wings

of eagles at their heights...

Let me strew your sweetness along the borders of the path,

a month among the months of roses,

and sing to you, my beloved, a melody of genius at

the summit of a night among the nights of genius.

I have taken much... so no wonder that

I should give you back much... my beloved...

...nay, my friend...

Here is my hand... kiss it,

and ward off from me the poisons of the glance.

A lifetime's companionship... do not squander it.

Beware the temptress... my friend,

and wipe away the stubborn reproach.

Is any mortal, in this world, proof

against a passing whim?

•

Before you, no eye had roamed

over my face,

nor had any conscience pierced the horizons

of my soul.

You knew me...

in childhood, girlhood, and youth —

Pure, with the Virgin's purity,

are my intentions;

no sin or suspicion touches them...

•

Do not say: I have changed...

I have turned your love to hate.

You are deluded...

How quickly the pensive gaze

gives you the lie,

and the sullen, balky mouth.

You love me...

What use is your straying... and the knitting

of the brow?

Here is my hand... kiss it.

...And rise, shine anew.