Pious the moss to see no more the ground;
For from this wasted wood forever gone
Is virgin who the milk and wine poured on
The earth to beauteous name that marked the bound.
The ivy, hop, viburnum, which around
This ruin gather, all to them unknown
Whether 'twas Silvan, Pan, Hermes or Faun,
Its maimed front their twining horns have found.
Behold! The ray, caressful as of old,
In its flat face has set two orbs of gold;
As though from lip, the vines bid laughter run;
And (mobile spell), wind murmuring blown,
The leaves, the wandering shadows and the sun,
Have turned to living God this broken stone.
Notes
Translated by Edward Robeson Taylor.
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Comments
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Heredia is envisioning the ruins of an ancient temple, which is surrounded by a veritable forest that has grown around it. Its walls are now covered in moss, which has entwined itself around its sculptures, so that now it is impossible to say with certainty whether a prominent frieze represents Silvan, Hermes, Pan or Faun (all Greek mythological figures). When the sun sets on its "maimed front," the temple recovers its antique glory and becomes once more a manifestation of the living god.
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Very hard to understand what the poet was trying to portray unless you get the translation from the author. But the descriptions where beautiful and timeless in that Old poetry fashion.
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