Cristina Branco

“Vida Triste”

Translation:

Condemned to live sad
Is he who loves much.
You, my heart, never withstood
The love that the pain inflames.

Again my tortured heart
Sought shelter in thy breast, uselessly;
No one will console the burning thirst
Nor is it is satisfied with the delights of passion.

And always, for any act,
There is a price of suffering,
Until the sweetness of the last touch
Eventually dies in regret.

And like the bodies snared
One day everything goes and there is only loneliness.
Perhaps will there be someone to kill
the fire of this damned passion?
I know love is a sin
So I  also cursed the heavens
that I was tied for life
to one who deceived me

Love never failed me
With tenderness and embraces
But freed my longings,
Never such remembered.

And always, for any act,
There is a price of suffering,
Until the sweetness of the last touch
Eventually dies in regret.

And like the bodies snared
One day everything goes and there is only loneliness.
Perhaps will there be someone to kill
the fire of this damned passion?

Original:

Condenado a viver triste
É sina de quem muito ama.
Nunca tu, meu coração, resististe
Ao amor que a dor inflama.

Mais uma vez meu torturado coração
Buscou abrigo no teu peito, inutilmente;
Não há quem lhe console a sede ardente
Nem ele se farta das delícias da paixão.

E sempre, para qualquer acto,
Há que pagar com o sofrimento,
Até que a doçura do último tacto
Acabe por morrer num lamento.

Por mais que os corpos se enlacem
Um dia tudo passa e só fica a solidão.
Haverá porventura alguém
que mate o fogo de tão maldita paixão?
Eu sei que amar é pecado
Por isso também a mim o céu castigou
Fiquei pra vida amarrado
A quem sempre me enganou

Jamais o amor me faltou
Com ternuras e afagos
Mas libertar meus anseios,
Nunca de tal se lembrou.

E sempre, para qualquer acto,
Há que pagar com o sofrimento
Até que a doçura do último tacto
Acabe por morrer num lamento.

Por mais que os corpos se enlacem,
Um dia tudo passa e só fica a solidão.
Haverá alguém capaz de matar
O fogo de tão maldita paixão?

Hafez

Translation:

I am the friend of the sweet face, and of the heart-snatching hair

I’m infatuated with the intoxicated eye and pure, unmixed wine

You asked, “Say one word about the secret of the covenant of Alast.”

“Once I’ve drunk two cups of wine, then I’ll tell you,” I replied.

I am the Paradisal Adam, but in this worldly journey

Now I’m a captive of the beauty of youth

In love, there is no escape from pain and suffering

I am standing like the candle, don’t try to scare me with fire

Shiraz is the mine of ruby lips and the quarry of beauty

Because of that, a poor jeweler like me is so distraught

I’ve seen so many drunken eyes in this city, I think

 I’m tipsy, although I’ve had nothing to drink

From all six directions, it is a city full of lovely glances

And I’ve nothing if I don’t buy all six of them

If Fortune should be so kind as to guide me to the Friend

Even the Houri’s hair will sweep the sweet dust from off my bed

Hafiz, my nature’s like a radiant, hopeful bride

But no mirror have I to see myself, and because of that I sigh

Dick Davis’ translation:

Original: