Maieutikos: AN OLD PHILOSOPHICAL PUZZLE BY DE CAMOENS

dimanche, septembre 17, 2006

AN OLD PHILOSOPHICAL PUZZLE BY DE CAMOENS

Love, Invisible Fire
[A Puzzle]

By Luis Vaz de Camoens
Translated from Portuguese by Tony Marmo

A flame burning in ways unseen is Love;
A wound aching imperceptibly;
A discontent form of contentment:
O, such excruciating a pain is love and yet it hurts not.

Love is more unwillingness than strong will;
It is a lonely walk among the cloud;
When utter happiness is never enough;
When one makes sure that it is in loosing that he shall gain.

Love means that by his own consent one is bound;
That the winner shall serve the vanquished,
That we are loyal to those who kill us.

Nevertheless, if love is so contrary to itself,
how can its favour in human hearts
cause such friendship?