“As he tried To quench his thirst, inside him, deep within him, Another thirst was growing, for he saw An image in the pool, and fell in love With that unbodied hope, and found a substance In what was only shadow. He looks in wonder, Charmed by himself, spell-bound, and no more moving Than any marble statue. He sees his eyes, twin stars, and locks as comely As those of Bacchus or the god Apollo, Smooth cheeks, and ivory neck, and the bright beauty Of countenance, and a flush of color rising In the fair whiteness. Everything attracts him That makes him so attractive. Foolish boy, He wants himself; the love becomes the lover, The seeker sought, the kindler burns. How often He tries to kiss the image in the water Dips in his arms to embrace the boy he sees there, And finds the boy, himself, elusive always, Not knowing what he sees, but burning for it, The same delusion mocking his eyes and teasing. Why try to catch an always fleeting image Poor credulous youngster? What you seek is nowhere And if you turn away, you will take with you The boy you love. The vision is only shadow, Only reflection, lacking any substance. It comes with you, it stays with you, it goes Away with you, if you can go away.”
