Poetry Revisited: A vida – The Life by Júlio Dinis

A vida (das Poesías: 1873) A alvorada foi risonha; Ergueste-te como o dia, Eu fiz, naquela alvorada, Uma alegre profecia. Inda radiava fulgente Vénus, a saudosa estrela, Já tu ornavas as trancas E cantavas à janela. E dos laranjais vizinhos Os rouxinóis acordados Respondiam-te com trinos Da tua voz namorados. Dos virentes jasmineiros, Que a Primavera enflorava, Vinha cheio de perfumes O vento que te beijava. Quem dissera então ao ver-te Nessa risonha alvorada, Que a noite, estrela cadente, Serias inanimada? 1870 Júlio Dinis (1839-1871) médico e escritor português

The Life (from Poems: 1873) The dawn was radiant; You stood up like the day, I made, at that dawn, A joyful prophecy. Still shines bright Venus, the yearning star, Already you decorated the plaits And sang at the window. And from the nearby orange groves The awake nightingales Answered you with trills Filled with love by your voice. From the viridescent jasmine, That Spring made bloom, Vineyard full of perfumes The wind that kissed you. Who said then when I saw you At this radiant dawn, That the night, shooting star, You would be lifeless? 1870 Júlio Dinis (1839-1871) Portuguese doctor and writer Literal translation: Edith LaGraziana 2019