My kind soul, since you parted […]

My kind soul, since you parted
Too early this life of discontent,
Rest where you are—it’s permanent.
And I’ll stay here, utterly dejected.

In your ether chair, where you landed,
If memory of this life consent,
Don’t forget that the love so ardent
You saw in my eyes—is pure and candid.

And if you see something useful
In this pain that’s left me,
Head-to-toe hurt from losing you,

Beg God, who so early set you free,
To just as soon take me to you
As he took you from me.

— Luís de Camões

Translated by Martin Earl for