Il mantello, la barca e le scarpe [English translation]

from Crossways

by William Butler Yeats :

"What do you make so fair and bright ?"

"I make the cloak of Sorrow:

O lovely to see in all men's sight

Shall be the cloak of Sorrow,

In all men's sight."

"What do you build with sails for flight ?"

"I build a boat for Sorrow:

O swift on the seas all day and night

Saileth the rover Sorrow,

All day and night."

What do you weave with wool so white ?"

"I weave the shoes of Sorrow:

Soundless shall be the footfall light

In all men's ears of Sorrow,

Sudden and light."