Page:Modern poets and poetry of Spain.djvu/132

86 With a gaze of desire

The fair banks I descend,

And to the false waters

My thirsty lips bend;

For a full draught I seek,

But feel suddenly by,

Disenchant me the call

Of a friendly cry:—

"Where impell'd dost thou go,

In such blind madness, where?

O, fool! round thy footsteps

Hid dangers are there!

"The wild fancy restrain,

Light ill-omen'd is this,

Where but lures thee to whelm

A fatal abyss.

"Of thy happier years

Is the verdure dispell'd,

And what were then graces

Now vices are held.

"Thou art man! it befits

Thee repenting in truth,

To gild virtuous with toils

The errors of youth!"