Now, in the hour

[alighieri]

Now - in the hour that melts with homesick yearning
The hearts of seafarers who've had to say
Farewell to those they love, that very morning -

Hour when the new-made pilgrim on his way
Feels a sweet pang go through him, if he hears
Far chimes that seem to knell the dying day -

Did I suspend the office of my ears,
And turn to watch a spirit rising there,
And beckoning with his hand for listeners

Folding his palms, he lifted them in prayer,
With gaze set eastward, that said visibly
To God: "For Thee and nothing else I care."

Te lucis ante, so devoutly he
Breathed forth, so sweet the singing syllables,
All sense of self was ravished out of me.

[lizzytysh]

Dear Aliehieri,

I really like the phrasing of your first stanzas, and felt I understood where the poem was at. However, I moved into the haze [perhaps the sea mists?] as I read on, and it may take some more reading to understand. Your words sounds nice, at any rate.

Lizzytysh

[alighieri]

The words are of a vision I had once. I am glad you liked phrasing in the first stanza.

[alighieri]

Also, I should say, that it reads better in Italian. My native language.

Translating poetry into a second language can be a kind of purgatory.

[lizzytysh]

Dear Alighieri....the first two stanzas [plural on the stanza]...and actually the fourth as well. Seeing it as a vision helps in my understanding. Thanks. And, I like your line, "All sense of self was ravished out of me."

Lizzytysh

[alighieri]

Grazie, Signora bella

[lizzytysh]

"You're welcome" in Italian, Alighieri....and I apologize for the typo that misspelled your name the first time around. Monumental task translating poems/lyrics into other languages. Difficult enough to get them right in the original one.

Lizzytysh

[Vesuvius]

Simply splendid. Heavenly.