delgados y flexibles que se liaban á su cuello, y una sensación fría
en sus labios ardorosos, un beso de nieve ... y vaciló ... y perdió
pie, y cayó al agua con un rumor sordo y lúgubre.

Las aguas saltaron en chispas de luz, y se cerraron sobre su cuerpo, y
sus círculos de plata fueron ensanchándose, ensanchándose hasta
expirar[1] en las orillas.[2]

[Footnote 1: expirar. Becquer uses incorrectly the form _espirar_.]

[Footnote 2: "It was a maxim both in ancient India and ancient
Greece not to look at one's reflection in water.... They feared that
the water-spirits would drag the person's reflection or soul under
water, leaving him soulless to die. This was probably the origin of
the classical story of Narcissus.... The same ancient belief
lingers, in a faded form, in the English superstition that whoever
sees a water-fairy must pine and die.

'Alas, the moon should ever beam
To show what man should never see!--
I saw a maiden on a stream,
And fair was she!

I staid to watch, a little space,
Her parted lips if she would sing;
The waters closed above her face
With many a ring.

I know my life will fade away,
I know that I must vainly pine,