I He disappeared in the dead of winter: The brooks were frozen, the airports almost deserted, And snow disfigured the public statues; The mercury sank in the mouth of the dying day. What instruments we have agree The day of his death was a dark cold day.
- http://www.poets.org/viewmedia.php/prmMID/15544
- http://liberinversi.splinder.com/post/11077775
- http://sullaletteratura.blogspot.com/2009/10/w-h-auden-in-memory-of-w-b-yeats-luomo.html
The mercury sank in the mouth of the dying day
(«Il mercurio affondò nella bocca del giorno morente»)
What instruments we have agree
The day of his death was a dark cold day
(«Gli strumenti che abbiamo concordano
Che il giorno della sua morte fu un giorno freddo e oscuro», I, 5-6).
Time that is intolerant
of the brave and innocent,
and indifferent in a week
to a beautiful physique,
worships language and forgives
everyone by whom it lives;
Pardons cowardice, conceit,
lays its honours at their feet.
Ovvero: Tempo che è intollerante verso prodi e innocenti, e indifferente in una settimana ad un fisico superbo, adora il linguaggio e perdona colui nel quale vive; assolve viltà, orgoglio e depone i suoi onori ai loro piedi.
