You wrote to me Do not deny it, I have read The confession of an honest soul, The claim of an innocent love Your sincerity is dear to me For it, I shall repay you By also telling the truth Straight as it is So accept this confession I submit myself to your judgement.
Had I wished to limit my life with a burden of family, Had I been granted a good fortune to be a father or a husband, Then, having met you, I would look no further But I was not created for such indulgences My soul is not open to them, Your great qualities are wasted on me For I am not worthy of them, Believe me, in all honesty The marital life would be a torture for you, No matter how much love I had for you, The moment it becomes a habit, I would love you no more Then judge for yourself, then, what kind of roses Would Hymen have in store for us, And for how many long days
The dreams and years have fled away, and shall not return, I love you like a brother, yes a brother, And, perhaps, somewhat more tenderly than a brother would
So listen to me and have no angst Many times would a young maiden trade one passing dream For another one.