Poem
Antero de Quental
THE PALACE OF FORTUNE
I dream I’m a knight who ventures forthThrough deserts, hot days, and pitch-black nights.
A defender of love, with all my might
I seek the enchanted palace of Fortune!
But I’m already faint with weariness,
My sword is broken, my armor smashed. . .
And then I suddenly see it, flashing
With pomp and lofty magnificence!
I bang on the doors and cry in distress:
“I’m the Vagabond, the Dispossessed.
Have pity and open up, golden doors!”
The golden doors open with a din. . .
But sadly all I find within
Is silence and darkness – nothing more!
© Translation: 2005, Richard Zenith
O Palácio da Ventura
O Palácio da Ventura
Sonho que sou um cavaleiro andante.Por desertos, por sóis, por noite escura,
Paladino do amor, busco anelante
O palácio encantado da Ventura!
Mas já desmaio, exausto e vacilante,
Quebrada a espada já, rota a armadura. . .
E eis que súbito o avisto, fulgurante
Na sua pompa e aérea formosura!
Com grandes golpes bato à porta e brado:
Eu sou o Vagabundo, o Deserdado. . .
Abri-vos, portas d’ouro, ante meus ais!
Abrem-se as portas d’ouro, com fragor. . .
Mas dentro encontro só, cheio de dor,
Silêncio e escuridão – e nada mais!
© 1886, Antero de Quental
From: Sonetos
Publisher: IN-CM, Lisbon
From: Sonetos
Publisher: IN-CM, Lisbon
Poems
Poems of Antero de Quental
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THE PALACE OF FORTUNE
I dream I’m a knight who ventures forthThrough deserts, hot days, and pitch-black nights.
A defender of love, with all my might
I seek the enchanted palace of Fortune!
But I’m already faint with weariness,
My sword is broken, my armor smashed. . .
And then I suddenly see it, flashing
With pomp and lofty magnificence!
I bang on the doors and cry in distress:
“I’m the Vagabond, the Dispossessed.
Have pity and open up, golden doors!”
The golden doors open with a din. . .
But sadly all I find within
Is silence and darkness – nothing more!
© 2005, Richard Zenith
From: Sonetos
From: Sonetos
THE PALACE OF FORTUNE
I dream I’m a knight who ventures forthThrough deserts, hot days, and pitch-black nights.
A defender of love, with all my might
I seek the enchanted palace of Fortune!
But I’m already faint with weariness,
My sword is broken, my armor smashed. . .
And then I suddenly see it, flashing
With pomp and lofty magnificence!
I bang on the doors and cry in distress:
“I’m the Vagabond, the Dispossessed.
Have pity and open up, golden doors!”
The golden doors open with a din. . .
But sadly all I find within
Is silence and darkness – nothing more!
© 2005, Richard Zenith
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