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

Note 95 — BOOK I. FROM THE END OF THE THIRTEENTH TO THE COMMENCEMENT OF THE SIXTEENTH CENTURY.

Thomasina Ross translation

When the poet, in his ideal world, sees Don Alvaro, by a singular fancy he pretends not to know him, in order that he may question his guide (Providence) respecting him, in imitation of a similar passage in Homer:—

Tu, Providencia, declara de nuevo, Quien es aquel Caballero, que veo, Que mucho en el cuerpo parece a Tydeo, E en consejo a Nestor el longevo.

Among other things Providence replies:—

Este cavalga sobre la Fortuna Y doma su cuello con asperas riendas, Y aunque del tenga tan muchas deprendas, Ella no le osa tocar de ninguna. Miralo, miralo en platica alguna, Con humildes, no tanto feroces! Como, indiscreto, y tu no conoces Al Condojos estable Alvaro de Luna?

Return to BOOK I. FROM THE END OF THE THIRTEENTH TO THE COMMENCEMENT OF THE SIXTEENTH CENTURY.