Saturday, April 14, 2012

I loved you - three versions

Translated from the Russian of A S Pushkin

I loved you with a love that may perhaps
Not wholy quite have quit my soul as yet;
But let the anguish that it dealt you lapse -
I have no wish to give you cause to fret.

I loved you, word unsaid, in hopelessness,
With diffidence and  jealousy in turn;
I loved you with such truth and tenderness
As God may cause love's flame for you to burn.


Version two

I loved you with a love which may perhaps
Not wholy quite have quit my soul as yet;
But let the anguish that it dealt you lapse -
I have no wish to give you cause to fret.

I loved you, word unsaid, in hopelessness
With diffidence and jealousy anew;
I loved you with such faith and tenderness
As God may grant another love you true.



Version three

I loved you with a love that may perhaps
Not wholy quite have quit my soul as yet;
But let the anguish that it dealt you lapse -
I have no wish to give you cause to fret.

I loved you, word unsaid, in hopelessness,
As diffidence and jealousy would move;
I loved you with such truth and tenderness
As God may grant another give you love.