Page:Modern poets and poetry of Spain.djvu/367

Rh Mid clouds with heavenly hues o'ercast Women of virgin lustre shone; I saw, I touched them, and they pass'd, And smoke and ashes left alone. I found the illusion fled; but rife, Unquench’d desires their longings crave; I felt the real, I hated life, And peace believed but in the grave. And yet I seek, and anxious seek, For pleasures still I ask and sigh, And hear dread accents answering speak, "Unhappy one! despair, and die. "Die: Life is torment, joy a cheat, Hope not for good on earth for thee, But fruitless struggles look to meet In thy vain longings endlessly! For so God punishes the soul That in its madness daresPespy The unfathom'd secrets of the scroll Of truth, denied to mortal eye! " O! cease: no more I ask to know, No more to see: my soul oppressed Is humbly bow’d, and prostrate low, Now only asks, and longs for rest.