I Know a Fountain
I know a fountain, gentle, without sound,
that over ancient marble overflows,
constant and slow. And as it bathes the ground,
there neither face, nor branch, reflected shows.
Whether night tips in the moon, or from afar
dawn pours down all of its golden bay
to shipwreck the blue night’s final star,
that lonely fountain flows both night and day.
Generous grief that weeps and ceases never,
fountain that spends its water, silently,
as Time does hours, forever!
I know a love unseen by any eyes,
unheard by any ear, that sighs and sighs,
and pours out like that fountain, uselessly.
[Translated from the Spanish by Rhina P. Espaillat]