Thirsty for water, he started to drink, but soon grew thirsty

for something else. His being was suddenly overwhelmed

by a vision of beauty. He fell in love with an empty hope,

a shadow mistaken for substance. He gazed at himself in amazement,

limbs and expression as still as a statue of Párian marble.

Stretched on the grass, he saw twin stars, his own two eyes,

rippling curls like the locks of a god, Apollo or Bacchus,

cheeks as smooth as silk, an ivory neck and a glorious

face with a mixture of blushing red and a creamy whiteness.

All that his lovers adored he worshipped in self-adoration.

Blindly rapt with desire for himself, he was votary and idol,

suitor and sweetheart, taper and fire – at one and the same time.

Those beautiful lips would implore a kiss, but as he bent forward

the pool would always betray him. He plunges his arms in the water

to clasp that ivory neck and finds himself clutching at no one.

He knows not what he is seeing; the sight still fires him with passion.

His eyes are deceived, but the strange illusion excites his senses.

Trusting fool, how futile to woo a fleeting phantom!

You’ll never grasp it. Turn away and your love will have vanished.

The shape now haunting your sight is only a wraith, a reflection

consisting of nothing; there with you when you arrived, here now,

and there with you when you decide to go – if ever you can go!

Nothing could drag him away from the place, not hunger for food

nor need for sleep. As he lay stretched out in the grassy shade,

he never could gaze his fill on that fraudulent image of beauty;

and gazing proved his demise. He raised his body a little,

then stretching his arms in grief to the witnessing trees all round him,

‘Wise old trees,’ he exclaimed, ‘has anyone loved more cruelly?

Lovers have often kissed in secret under your branches.

Here you have stood for hundreds of years. In all that time

has anyone suffered for love like me? Whom can you remember?

I’ve looked and have longed. But looking and longing is far from enough.

I still have to find!’ (His lover’s delusion was overpowering.)

‘My pain is the more since we’re not divided by stretches of ocean,

unending roads, by mountains or walls with impassable gates.

All that keeps us apart is a thin, thin line of water.

He wants to be held in my arms. Whenever I move to kiss

the clear bright surface, his upturned face strains closer to mine.

We all but touch! The paltriest barrier thwarts our pleasure.

Come out to me here, whoever you are! Why keep eluding me,

peerless boy? When I seek you, where do you steal away?

It can’t be my looks or my age which makes you want to avoid me;