What are you, love?

What are you, love? A flame from heaven? A radiant smile are you? The heaven has not your eyes' bright gleams, The heaven has not their blue. The rose has not your snowy breast; In the moon's face we seek In vain the rosy flush that dyes Your soft and blushing cheek. By night you smile upon the stars, And on the amorous moon, By day upon the waves, the flowers - Why not on one alone? But, though I pray to you with tears, With tears and bitter sighs, You will not deign me yet one glance Cast by your shining eyes. O love, are you a mortal maid, Or angel formed of light? The spring rose and the radiant moon Envy your beauty bright; And when your sweet and thrilling voice Is heard upon the air, In cypress depths the nightingale Is silent in despair. Would I, a zephyr, might caress Your bright brow's dreams in sleep, Breathe gently on your lips, and dry Your tears, if you should weep! Or would that in your garden fair A weeping rose I grew; And when you came resplendent there At morning with the dew, I'd give fresh colour to your cheek That makes the rose look pale, Shed on your breast my dew, and there My latest breath exhale. Oh, would I were a limpid brook! If softly you drew nigh, And smiled into my mirror clear, My blue waves would run dry. Oh, would I were a sunbeam bright, To make you seem more fair, Touching your face, and dying soon Amid your fragrant hair! But, if you love another, His gravestone may I be! Then you would linger near me, Your tears would fall on me; Your sighs would wander o'er me, Sighs for his early doom. To touch you, O beloved, I must become a tomb!