O spirit pure - António Ferreira

O spirit pure, purer in realms above 

Than whilst thou tarriedst in this vale of pain, 

Why hast thou treated me with cold disdain. 

Nor, as thou ought'st, returned my faithful love?

Was it for this, thou hast so oft professed, — 

And thee believing was my heart secure, — 

That the same moment of death's night obscure 

Should lead us both to days of happy rest?

Ah, why, then, leave me thus imprisoned here?

And how didst thou alone thy course pursue, 

My body lingering in existence drear 

Without its soul? — Too clear the reason true! — 

Thy virtues rare the glorious palm obtain, 

While I, unworthy, sorrowful remain.

---

António Ferreira (1528 – 1569) Portugal

Translated by Thomas Adamson

Source: The poets and poetry of Europe. With introductions and biograpical notices

by Henry Wadsworth Longfellow, Carey and Hart, 1845