The islands (IV)

IV.
"What has love of land given to you
that I have not?"

I have questioned Tyrians
where they sat on the black ships,
weighted with rich stuffs,
I have asked the Greeks
from the white ships,
and Greeks from ships whose hulks
lay on the wet sand, scarlet
with great beaks.

I have asked bright Tyrians
and tall Greeks --
"what has love of land given you?"

And they answered -- "peace."

IV
“¿Qué te ha dado el amor a la tierra
que yo no?”

Le he preguntado a los tirios
sentados en las naves negras,
repletas de rica carga,
le he preguntado a los griegos,
de naves blancas,
y a los griegos de naves en la arena
húmeda, escarlata con grandes espolones.

Le he preguntado a los claros tirios
y a los altos griegos
“¿qué les ha dado el amor a la tierra?”

Y respondieron: “paz.”