Shakespeare In The Mountains

An afternoon in spring Murmured these words to me: If you are seeking paths With flowers in this world Then put to death your words And let your old soul speak. Let the same white linen That you are wearing now Clothe you in your mourning Clothe you at party time. Cherish your happiness Cherish your sadness too, If you are seeking paths With flowers in this world. I spoke then my reply To that spring afternoon: You have told the secret That is spoken in my soul: I abhor happiness Abhorring suffering. But before I ever tread Your flower-strewn path, I would like to present My old soul to you: dead. Antonio Machado Soledades. Galerías. Otros Poemas (1907- I used the edition edited by Geoffrey Ribbans (Cátedra, 1993)).