cultural resources in henrik ibsen's early environment - Ibsen.net

While the day streams about you
With its life, its love!
CLARA.
Say what you will, but don't mock me, Fernando!
FERNANDO.
You drive me to it.
See! I came here to this lovely encounter
So happily, so boldly,
Trembling from courage and desire.
A thousand heavens, bright with love,
A thousand yearnings, gentle, sweet,
Rocked themselves deep in my breast;
I greeted death and danger proudly:
They were witness to my progress,
And I brought you as a gift
Everything beautiful that life can have:
Freedom, hope and love!
But you came towards me
Armed with an imaginary fault,
Thrust my life back coldly,
Trod on my salvation.
You have forgotten our days of love,
The sweet laments of our nights
By yonder river's green banks!
I have not forgotten them, Clara!
I still remember well what you said
To me yonder that last evening,
Before I was to go away from you:
The summer night's warm sky
Lay with its deep clouds
Like an eye blinded with tears
Over Andalusia's plains,
And the pale, cold stars
Reflected themselves with a smile in the river,
As if they were making fun of it all.
Then your words sounded in the night:
267