mihai eminescu

sonnet ii

the years have sped, and time still swiftly flies

since that first sacred hour in which we met;
but how we loved i can no more forget,
sweet wonder with cold hands and such big eyes.

o, come again! your words inspire me yet,

while your soft gaze upon me gently lies,
that'neath its ray new life in shall rise,
and you new songs upon my lyre beget.

when you come near to me you little know

how soothed my heart is then, as though with balm,
as when some star does in the heavens show;

your childish smile so full of tender charm

has power to quench this life drawn out in woe
and fill my eyes with fire, my soul with calm.

(1879, translated by corneliu m. popescu)