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

Note 548 — SECOND SECTION. History of Spanish Poetry and Eloquence, from the Age of Cervantes and Lope de Vega to the Middle of the Seventeenth Century. (continued 2)

Thomasina Ross translation

Comparisons of heaven with the earth, and of water with the earth, through the idea of a flower, were dwelt on with a particular fondness by other Spanish poets of Calderon’s age. The following is a conversation between the Moorish Princess Phœnix, (Fenix was formerly a name for women in Spain), and her female slaves in a garden on the sea shore:—

Zar. Pues puedente divertir tu tristeza estos jardines, qual la primavera hermosa labra en estatuas de rosa sobre temples de jazmines, hazle al már, un barco sea dorado carro del Sol. Ros. Y quando tanto arrebol errar por sus ondas vea, con grande melancolia el jardin al már dirà: ya el Sol en su centro està, muy breve ha sido este dia. Fen. Pues no me puedo alegrar, formando sombras y lexos la emulacion que en reflexos tienen la tierra, y el már, quando con grandezas sumas compiten entre esplandores las espumas a las flores, las flores a las espumas.

Return to SECOND SECTION. History of Spanish Poetry and Eloquence, from the Age of Cervantes and Lope de Vega to the Middle of the Seventeenth Century. (continued 2)