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JUAN MELENDEZ VALDES.
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!"
