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

Note 549 — 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

With all their faults these two sonnets are so beautiful and so perfectly in Calderon’s style, that they may properly be included in the collection of examples quoted here.—Prince Fernando brings flowers to the Princess Phœnix. After all sorts of handsome things have been uttered, Fernando says:—

Estas que fueron pompa, y alegria, despertando al Albor de la mañana, a la tarde seràn lastima vana, durmiendo en braços de la noche fria. Este matiz, que al cielo desafia, Iris listado de oro, nieve y grana, serà escarmiento de la vida humana, tanto se emprende en termino de un dia. A florecer las rosas madrugaron, y para envejecerse florecieron, cuna, y sepulcro en un boton hallaron. Tales los hombres sus fortunas vieron, en un dia nacieron, y espiraron, que passados los siglos horas fueron.

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)