Lightly in the azure air
Soars a cloud, emerging free
Like a virgin from the fair
Blue sea;
Or an Aphrodite sweet, Floating upright and empearled In the shell, about its feet Foam-curled.
Undulating overhead, How its changing body glows! On its shoulder dawn hath spread A rose.
Marble, snow, blend amorously
In that form by sunlight kissed —
Slumbering Antiope
Of mist!
Sailing unto distant goal, Over Alps and Apennines, Sister of the woman-soul, It shines;
Till my heart flies forth at last
On the wings of passion warm, And I yearn to gather fast Its form.
Reason saith : “Mere vapour thing! Bursting bubble! Yet, we deem, Holds this wind-distorted ring Our dream.”
Faith declareth: “Beauty seen, Like a cloud, is but a thought, Or a breath, that, having been, Is naught.
“Have thy vision. Build it proud. Let thy soul be full thereof. Love a woman — love a cloud — But love!”
fr:La Nue
ru:Тучка (Готье/Гумилёв)