Octavian - translations added

What are you looking for at night
When moon is shining in the springs
And where the birds in warble fight
Flapping enchanted their wings?

When memories, this heavy load,
Try to ignite my fire,
I walk along the well known road
And feel the old desire.

Fair Venice now lies dead upon the ground
You don't hear songs, the party lights are out;
On marble stairs and through the gates, no doubt,
The light pervades, bleaching the things around.

Loving in secret, I did hold my tongue,
Because I thought it was your deep desire,
For in your eyes I saw a burning fire,
So deadly for the dreams to which I clung.

The years have passed like clouds above the plains
And they will never ever come again,
Today I'm heedless, so I hear in vain
The stories, riddles, ballads and refrains,

When all your thoughts stop whispering in mind
A sweet devotion raises me on high –
And then I call you, will you hear my cry
And leave the mists in which you are confined?

A lot of years will pass and many rolled
Since in a holy moment we two met,
The way we loved I never will forget,
My beauty with big eyes and hands so cold.

Outside it's autumn and the leaves are scattered,
The wind throws heavy drops in the small panes;
And you read letters old and full of stains
Musing whether your life was good and mattered.

Buttons Cupid, cute and cunning,
He's not good, but spoiled instead,
Plays and laughs with all the children
And sleeps in the ladies' bed.

The love has gone, a dearest friend
Who cared for you and I
So, to my songs I put an end
And I tell all, goodbye.