Another Barcarole by the Danish writer J.L. Heiberg

 

Barcarole

Wave so light! though blue your furrow,

Bright, transparent, clear in tone,

’Tis the sky’s tints that you borrow,

Since no colour is your own.

Not the sky, but its poor image

Rests in your profound embrace;

Longing’s end can’t be envisaged,

Like your lack, it grows apace.

Wave! where you run clearest all the

Sky is mirrored in full state;

Ah! your longing but recalls the

Thought of what fate separates.

Heart! now cease your loud complaining!

Nature’s lack is just the same;

Be content, though nought’s remaining

But an image and a name.