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,
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JOSE DE ESPRONCEDA.
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