TheRhodora

Onbeingasked,whenceistheflower.

1 InMay,whenseawindspiercedoursolitudes,
2 IfoundthefreshRhodorainthewoods,
3 Spreadingitsleaflessbloomsinadampnook,
4 Topleasethedesertandthesluggishbrook.
5 Thepurplepetalsfalleninthepool
6 Madetheblackwaterwiththeirbeautygay;
7 Heremighttheredbirdcomehisplumestocool,
8 Andcourttheflowerthatcheapenshisarray.
9 Rhodora!ifthesagesasktheewhy
10 Thischarmiswastedontheearthandsky,
11 Tellthem,dear,that,ifeyesweremadeforseeing,
12 ThenbeautyisitsownexcuseforBeing;
13 Whythouwertthere,Orivaloftherose!
14 Ineverthoughttoask;Ineverknew;
15 Butinmysimpleignorancesuppose
16 Theselfsamepowerthatbroughtmethere,broughtyou.

Translation:PatriciadeSouzaLeite

ARhodora

Seatiperguntarem,deondeestaflor.

1. Emmaio,quandoamaresiapenetranossasolido,
2. EncontreioRhodorafresconocamaro,
3. Espalhandosuasfloresnummidorecanto,
4. Agradadaaodesertoeaoregato,tolento.
5. Cadanocharco,aptalarsea
6. Alegraestasguascomsuabeleza;
7. Aquiondeopardalsereferesca,
8. Eflorquetrilhateucaminho,corteja.
9. Rhodora!Seossbiosteperguntarem
10. Porqueteuencanto,aterraeocu,estoadisperdiarem,
11. Dizeilhes,ento,queseosolhossofeitospraver,
12. EntotuabelezaaprpriarazopraSer;
13. Eporqueestavasl,rivaldarosa!
14. Nuncaindaguei;ejamaisiriasaber;
15. Masemminhamenteobtusa
16.Amesmaforaquelmelevou,levoumetambmminhamusa.