If fate has parted me from you, so be it -
Never mind that another possesses my beauty!
From his embrace, from the night's sultriness,
I fly far away upon the wings of my dream.
I see again our old overgrown garden:
Reflected in the pond, the sunset is fading away,
Linden trees scent the shade of the alleys,
Beyond the pond, in the coppice, warbles the nightingale...
I open the glass door - trembling -
I peer into the mysterious darkness -
Hark! A branch has crackled – was it you stepping out?
A bird has shuddered – was it you who startled it?
I listen, I wait impatiently,
I quietly follow the rustling of your footsteps -
My body shivers from passion and fright -
Is it you taking me by the hand, dear friend?!
Is it you timidly embracing me?
It is your kiss – a kiss without fire!
With torment in your trembling heart, with fluttering in your blood,
You dare not give in to the madness of love,
And, listening to your noble voice,
I dare not set free my own passions,
I tremble and whisper to you: “Dearest one!
If he possesses my wretched beauty, so be it!
From his embrace, from the night's sultriness,
Again I fly away upon the wings of my dream,
To this garden, to this darkness, to this bench,
Where for the first time you've discovered my soul's secret...
And I merge my soul with yours --
If he possesses my wretched beauty, so be it!”