22 OCTOBER 1927, Page 21

Three Poems from Heine

I.

IN the wonder-month of May, when buds begin to snap, let my passion have its way, and change my blood to sap.

In the wonder-month of May, when all the birds are mad, I made my love a virelay, like any other lad. See ! how my passion settles into a fairy-tale, where all the pains are petals, the tears a nightingale.

And if my love will take them, because of me and verse, the nightingales will make them imperishably hers. If I see your eyes, my pain instantly is well again, and my utmost miseries fade upon a single kiss.

But I pray you, lest, when bending to your heart, the peace transcending shatter, if my tears can move you, lady, do not say : "I love you."

HUMBERT WOLFE.