Fernando Pessoa
The Mad Fiddler (Pessoa's English Poetry)
1. The Mad Fiddler
7. I feel pale and I shiver.
What power of the moonlight
Tremulous under the river
Thus pains me with delight?

What spell told by the moon
Unlooses all my soul?
O speak to me! I swoon!
I fade from life's control!

I am a far spirit, e'en
In the felt place of me.
O river too serene
For my tranquillity!

O ache somehow of living!
O sorrow for something!
O moon‑pain the sense‑giving
That I am vainly king

In some spell‑bound realm mute,
In a lunar land lone!
O ache as of a dying flute
When we would have't play on!
("The Mad Fiddler")

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