Two Translations of Eminescu's "Poplars" Poem

DOWN WHERE THE LONELY POPLARS GROW 

Translated by Corneliu M. Popescu

Down where the lonely poplars grow 

How often have I erred; 

My steps that all the neighbours know 

You only have not heard. 

Towards your window lighted through 

How oft my gaze has flown; 

A world entire my secret knew 

You only have not known. 

A word, a murmur of reply 

How often did I pray! 

What matters then if I should die, 

Enough to live that day; 

To know one hour of tenderness, 

One hour of lover's night; 

To hear your whisper's soft caress 

One hour, then come what might! 

Had you but granted me a glance 

That was not filled with scorn, 

Out of its shining radiance 

A new star had been born. 

You would have lived through lives untold 

Beyond the ends of time; 

O deity with arms so cold, 

O marble form sublime! 

An idol of some pagan lore 

As now no more is seen, 

Come down to us from times of yore, 

From times that long have been. 

My worship was of ages gone, 

Sad eyes by faith beguiled, 

Each generation handed on 

From father unto child. 

But now I very little care 

To walk along that lane, 

Nor heed the face I found so fair 

Looks out for me in vain; 

For you are like them all today 

In bearing and in guise, 

And I but look on your display 

With cold and lifeless eyes. 

You should have known to value right 

With wondering intent, 

And lit your "candela" at night 

To Love that God had sent. 

THE PAIRLESS POPLARS

Translated by Adrian G. Sahlean 

The pairless poplars swayed alone 

As oft I passed them slow
With eyes of love to neighbors known, 

You only wouldn’t know.

By your lit window many days 

For just one glance I’d stand
Neighbors could see it in my gaze, 

You wouldn’t understand.

How oft I’d wait your voice to hear 

One word that you would say
If I could only hold you near, 

A day, a single day.

One hour’s while I prayed a above 

To love with lust and sigh
Upon your lips to hang my love 

One hour and then die.

And from your spell of serene eyes, 

Gather a lonely ray
A star you would have been to rise 

For coming time to stay.

Living for all eternity, 

Glowing apart alone
With your cold arms all seem to me 

Carved in marble stone.

A cherished idol, face divine 

And beauty without pair
As from the tales of olden time, 

The maiden princess pair.

For that was love of heathen eyes

And heart humbled in pain
That parents through the ages wise 

To parents had ordained.

Today with mind aloof I tread 

Seldom on Poplars’ Lane
And now you sadly turn your head 

Behind my steps in vain.

And you now longer glow apart 

In style or dress or guise
And now I look with careless heart 

And cold and lifeless eyes.

Oh sacred charm, from it one spark 

Had only touched your name
You’d have been candle in the dark 

For love’s eternal flame.