by George Gordon Noel Byron, Lord Byron (1788 - 1824)
Translation by Franz Theremin (1780 - 1846)

I saw thee weep
Language: English 
Our translations:  DUT
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]1
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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Note: see also Bécquer's Imitación de Byron

1 in some versions, "blue"

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Researcher for this text: Emily Ezust [Administrator]

This text was added to the website: 2003-10-19
Line count: 16
Word count: 95

Language: German (Deutsch)  after the English 
Ich sah die volle Träne glühn
  In deines Auges Blau,
Das wie ein Veilchen mir erschien
  Benetzt mit Tropfen Tau.
Ich sah es lächeln: da erblich
  Vor ihm des Sapphirs Schein,
Des Aug's lebend'gem Strahle wich
  Der glanzerfüllte stein.

Den Wolken oft die Sonn' ertheilt
  Ein Blau, so tief und mild,
Das an dem Himmel noch verweilt,
  Wenn Dämm'rung ihn umhüllt:
So heilt solch Lächeln in dem Blick,
  Das Herzens trübsten sinn,
Und läßt ihm einen Strahl zurück,
  Der leuchtet drüber hin.

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Researcher for this page: Ferdinando Albeggiani

This text was added to the website: 2006-06-20
Line count: 16
Word count: 82