Gustavo Adolfo Bécquer’s “Your eyes are blue”

Translation
Your eyes are blue and, when you
laugh,
their smooth clarity reminds
me
of the trembling brilliance
of morning
     reflected in the sea.
Your eyes are blue and, when you
cry,
their transparent tears
contain the dew drops
     upon a violet.
Your eyes are blue and, if in
their depths
an idea shines like a point of
light,
it seems to me a lost star
     in the evening sky.
Original Spanish
Tu
pupila es azul y, cuando ríes,
su
claridad süave me recuerda
el
trémulo fulgor de la mañana
        que en el mar se refleja.
Tu
pupila es azul y, cuando lloras,
las
transparentes lágrimas en ella
se
me figuran gotas de rocío
        sobre una vïoleta.
Tu
pupila es azul, y si en su fondo
como
un punto de luz radia una idea,
me
parece en el cielo de la tarde
        una perdida estrella.

Note


Inspired by Lord Byron’s “I Saw Thee Weep” from Hebrew Melodies.


I saw thee weep – the big
bright tear
Came o’er that eye of blue;
And then methought it did
appear
A violet dropping dew —
I saw thee smile  — the sapphire’s blaze
Beside thee ceased to shine;
It could not match the living
rays
That fill’d that glance of
thine.
As clouds from yonder sun
receive
A deep and mellow dye,
Which scarce the shade of
coming eve
Can banish from the sky —
Those smiles unto the
moodiest mind
Their own pure joy impart;
Their sunshine leaves a glow
behind
That lightens o’er the heart.

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