I regret bitterly br The years of loving you in both br Your presence and absence, regret br The law, the vocation br That forbid me to keep you, the sea br A sheet of glass, the sun-bleached br Beauty of the Greek ships: how br Could I have power if br I had no wish br To transform you: as br You loved my body, br As you found there br Passion we held above br All other gifts, in that single moment br Over honor and hope, over br Loyalty, in the name of that bond br I refuse you br Such feeling for your wife br As will let you br Rest with her, I refuse you br Sleep again br If I cannot have you.