Poets, Spanish; Spanish poetry -- History and criticism; Spanish poetry -- Translations into English
This and the two following poems are taken from those at pages 94,
110 and 64 of the first volume of the Works of Melendez Valdes; the
Disdainful Shepherdess from the one at p. 62 of vol. ii.
20. Page 95. “Merits of their national dramas.”
For an excellent criticism on the Spanish drama, see the article in the
twenty-fifth volume of the Quarterly Review.
21. Page 104. “There, says his biographer,” &c.
In the sketch prefixed to the edition by Rivadeneyra, from which
the two poems following are taken, at pages 581 and 582. The one to
Jovellanos has been justly praised by Mr. Ticknor as one of his best,
and from it we may in preference extract the commencement, as an
exemplification of his style.
Si, la pura amistad, que en dulce nudo
Nuestras almas uniò, durable existe
Jovino ilustre, y ni la ausencia larga
Ni la distancia, ni interpuestos montes
Y proceloso mar que suena roco,
De mi memoria apartaràn tu idea.
Duro silencio à mi cariño impuso
El son de Marte, que suspende ahora
La paz, la dulce paz. Sè que en obscura
Deliciosa quietud, contento vives,
Siempre animado de incansable celo
Por el pùblico bien; de las virtudes
Y del talento protector y amigo.
Estos que formo de primor desnudos,
No castigados de tu docta lima,
Fàciles versos, la verdad te anuncien
De mi constante fe; y el cielo en tanto
Vuèlvame presto la ocasion de verte
Y renovar en familiar discurso
Cuanto à mi vista presentò del orbe
La varia escena. De mi patria orilla
A las que el Sena turbulento baña,
Teñido en sangre, del audaz Britano
Dueño del mar, al aterido Belga,
Del Rin profundo à las nevades cumbres
Del Apenino, y la que en humo ardiente
Cubre y ceniza à Nàpoles canora,
Pueblos, naciones, visitè distintas
Util sciencia adquirì, que nunca enseña
Docta leccion en retirada estancia,
Que alli no ves la diferencia suma
Que el clima, el culto, la opinion, las artes,
Las leyes causan. Hallaràsla solo
Si al hombre estudias en el hombre mismo.
22. Page 113. “Juan Bautista de Arriaza.”
This poet’s name is pronounced Arriatha; the two poems selected for
translation are taken, the first from p. 60 of Book III. of his works,
edition of 1829. ‘The Parting, or the Young Sailor’s Farewell,’ from
_ibid._, Book I. p. 77.
The eighth stanza, beginning in the translation, ‘With venal aid of
hate assists,’ is in the original--
Què de ministros vendes a su encono,
Anglia infecunda! de las nieblas trono,
Campos que el sol no mira,
Que en sonrisa falsa, Flora reviste
De esteril verde, en que la flor es triste,
Y Amor sin gloria espira.
Which stanza is thus translated by Maury:--
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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