When she speaks, it appears
That the voice of the wind falls silent;
Perhaps an angel becomes mute
When she speaks.
My dolorous heart
Exhales its bruises.
And it returns to lost delight
When she speaks.
If I could eternally,
By her side, listen to her,
Hear her innocent soul
When she speaks.
My soul, already moribund,
Will get to raise her up to heaven,
Because heaven opens a door
When she speaks.
——
Quando ella falla, parece
Que a voz da briza se cala;
Talvez um anjo emmudece
Quando ella falla.
Meu coração dolorido
As suas mágoas exhala.
E volta ao gozo perdido
Quando ella falla.
Pudeste eu eternamente,
Ao lado d’ella, escutal-a,
Ouvir sua alma innocente
Quando ella falla.
Minh’alma, já semi-morta,
Conseguíra ao céu alçal-a,
Porque o céu abre uma porta
Quando ella falla.
——
Joaquim Maria Machado de Assis (1839-1908) was a poet, playwright, and novelist. He is considered the father of Brazilian literature.