TESTO DEL LIED

"In the Southern Clime"
di William Blake (1757-1827)

In the southern clime,
Where the summer's prime
Never fades away,
Lovely Lyca lay.

Seven summers old
Lovely Lyca told;
She had wander'd long
Hearing wild birds' song.

``Sweet sleep, come to me
Underneath this tree.
Do father, mother weep,
Where can Lyca sleep?

``Lost in desart wild
Is your little child.
How can Lyca sleep
If her mother weep?

``If her heart does ake
Then let Lyca wake;
If my mother sleep,
Lyca shall not weep.

``Frowning, frowning night,
O'er this desart bright
Let thy moon arise
While I close my eyes.''

Sleeping Lyca lay
While the beasts of prey,
Come from caverns deep,
View'd the maid asleep.

The kingly lion stood
And the virgin view'd,
Then he gamboll'd round
O'er the hollow'd ground.

Leopards, tygers, play
Round her as she lay,
While the lion old
Bow'd his mane of gold.

And her bosom lick,
And upon her neck
From his eyes of flame
Ruby tears there came;

While the lioness
Loos'd her slender dress,
And naked they convey'd
To caves the sleeping maid.