History of Spanish and Portuguese Literature (Vol 1 of 2)

Note 182 — FIRST SECTION. History of Spanish Poetry and Eloquence, from the Introduction of the Italian Style to the Age of Cervantes and Lope de Vega.

Thomasina Ross translation

The following are the first stanzas of a song, which he composed in prison, after his extraordinary adventure in the court of Madrid:—

Triste, y aspera fortuna Un preso tiene afligido, Mas no por esso vencido Con la fuerça de ninguna. Entre sus cuydados vive, Ellos mismos le atormentan, Mil muertes le representan, Y las mas dellos recibe. Y aunque no se rinde al peso De tantas penas, y enojos, Rinde à Filis los despojos De sus entrañas, y seso. Tristezas, y soledades, Y quexas muy apretadas, Que sino son declaradas, A lo menos son verdades.

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