|
Oh, I remember when I first eluded you;
|
|
|
You watched the stars till twelve, alert and true.
|
|
|
Perhaps some sweetheart sleeps beside you now? If so,
|
45
|
|
Your lot’s a better one than mine, you know.
|
|
|
I’d even welcome shackles and complain no more.
|
|
|
The midnight hours fly; unbar the door.
|
|
|
Am I deceived, or did the door post shake and groan
|
|
|
As hinges turned and made an awful moan?
|
50
|
|
I am deceived! The wind just knocked the door ajar,
|
|
|
Then took my hopes and scattered them afar.
|
|
|
But Boreas, young Orithyia once was yours;
|
|
|
Just think of her—and blast these stone-deaf doors.
|
|
|
The still town’s dew collects; soon night will be no more.
|
55
|
|
The midnight hours fly; unbar the door.
|
|
|
Now if you don’t, with torch and crowbar, I will smash
|
|
|
Your haughty house and turn it into ash.
|
|
|
Night, Love, and Wine all counsel lack of self-restraint:
|
|
|
Night knows no shame and Love and Wine no taint
|
60
|
|
Of fear. But every prayer and threat I’ve tried has failed
|
|
|
To move a man so thick and tightly nailed.
|
|
|
And oh, my darling’s guard: to think that you prevailed,
|
|
|
Who’s better fit to watch and ward the jailed!
|
|
|
Already frosty Lucifer begins to roll;
|
65
|
|
The cock cries “Wake and work!” to every soul.
|
|
|
But you, you wretched garland snatched from off my head,
|
|
|
Lie all night long on stone blocks that are dead.
|
|
|
You’ll be the witness in the morning so she’ll know
|
|
|
I spent this faithful, awful night in woe.
|
70
|
|
And you, you slave: good-bye, and here’s your Parthian prize:
|
|
|
You held, indifferent to this lover’s cries.
|
|
|
Farewell to rigid threshold, post, and beam as well;
|
|
|
You are this servant’s slaves, and never fell.
|
|
I.7
