Verses by Sophie Albrecht, translated by Julia Kalman
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Know naught of my anguished strife,
Let the pain within me seethe;
Dream only of the joy of reunion, life,
Let your heartbeat with mirth, and breathe.
Softly and calmly, let slumber embrace,
As the West caresses the land;
Ah, restless anguish of love’s chase,
Is but for women to understand.
Love
Sweet torment within my soul does swell,
From his tender name, it wells,
Calls with a thousandfold pain:
Never have I loved as I do now, in vain!
This beating, this longing, tell,
Ah! To whom does this flame compel?
Are these tears for virtue, as they dwell?
Or are they dedicated to lust’s spell?
Longing, as none have known before,
Since love a woman’s heart first tore,
Are you weaving our bonds so tight?
Will innocence still be our guiding light?
A thousand bold desires quake and soar,
Pulses recklessly venture and explore –
If I were to name them, their names implore,
Shame would flush my brow and more.
Even virtue’s stern bust, once pure and sure,
Since his lips met mine, feels less demure,
Transformed into the goddess of love, for sure.
Sophie Albrecht (1756–1840) was a German actress and writer.
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Julia Kalman 