Note E — Chapter II · OF SPANISH POETRY TO THE TIME OF GARCILASSO.
Jeremiah Holmes Wiffen translation
This song of Santillana, not entirely devoid either of grace or pathos, may serve as a specimen of the manner in which these writers applied their learning.
1.
First shall the singing spheres be dumb, And cease their rolling motion, Alecto pitiful become, And Pluto move devotion, Ere to thy virtues, printed deep Within my heart, I prove Thoughtless, or leave thine eyes to weep, My soul, my life, my love!
2.
Successful Cæsar first shall cease To fight for an ovation, And force defenced Priamedes To sign a recantation, Ere, my sweet idol, thou shalt fret, Neglect in me to trace, Ere I one lineament forget In all that charming face.
3.
Sinon shall guilelessly behave, Thais with virtue, Cupid Meekly—Sardanapalus brave, And Solomon grow stupid, Ere, gentle creature, from my mind Thine image flits away, Whose evermore I am, resigned Thy biddings to obey.
4.
Swart Ethiopia shall grow chill With wintry congelation, Cold Scythia hot, and Scylla still Her boiling tide's gyration, Ere my charmed spirit shall have power To tear itself away, In freedom, but for one short hour, From thy celestial sway.
5.
Lions and tigers shall make peace With lambs, and play together, Sands shall be counted, and deep seas Grow dry in rainy weather, Ere Fortune shall the influence have To make my soul resign Its bliss, and call itself the slave Of any charms but thine.
6.
For thou the magnet art, and I The needle, oh my beauty! And every hour thou draw'st me nigh, In voluntary duty; Nor is this wonderful, for call The proudest, she will feel That thou the mirror art of all The ladies in Castile.