Forums > Specific Focus > Learning Spanish

1 2 View All

quevedo

Sep 3, 2008, 12:42 PM

Post #1 of 48 (11878 views)

Shortcut

Amor y romanticismo

Can't Post |

Last thread took us from poisonous snakes to love and romanticism. A strange, nice twist.

To keep us there I'd like to copy here a love poem I love. It is not dedicated to a woman, but to a little boy. The great Cuban poet José Martí wrote this to his son and added it to his poem book, Ismaelillo, published in New York in 1882.

Mi reyecillo
Los persas tienen
un rey sombrío;
los hunos foscos
un rey altivo;
un rey ameno
tienen los íberos;
rey tiene el hombre,
rey amarillo:
¡mal van los hombres
con su dominio!

Mas yo vasallo
de otro rey vivo,
un rey desnudo,
blanco y rollizo:
su cetro, ¡un beso!
Mi premio, ¡un mimo!
¡Oh! Cual los áureos
reyes divinos
de tierras muertas,
de pueblos idos,
¡cuando te vayas,
llévame, hijo!

Toca en mi frente
tu cetro omnímodo;
úngeme siervo,
siervo sumiso:
¡No he de cansarme
de verme ungido!
¡Lealtad te juro,
mi reyecillo!
Sea mi espalda
pavés de mi hijo;
pasa en mis hombros
el mar sombrío,
muera al ponerte
en tierra vivo.

Mas si amar piensas
el amarillo
rey de los hombres,
¡muere conmigo!
¿Vivir impuro?
¡No vivas, hijo!

Un saludo poético,

Quevedo

quevedo

Sep 3, 2008, 12:54 PM

Post #2 of 48 (11875 views)

Shortcut

Re: [quevedo] My little King

Can't Post |

Mi reyecillo
Los persas tienen
un rey sombrío;
los hunos foscos
un rey altivo;
un rey ameno
tienen los íberos;
rey tiene el hombre,
rey amarillo:
¡mal van los hombres
con su dominio!

My little King
Persians have
a somber king;
the sullen Huns
an arrogant king;
a pleasant king
Spaniards have;
a king men have,
a yellow king:
Mankind suffers
under its domain!

There it goes. Please help me correct my English and finish the translation.

A Royal salute,

Quevedo

sergiogomez / Moderator

Sep 3, 2008, 12:58 PM

Post #3 of 48 (11871 views)

Shortcut

Re: [quevedo] Amor y romanticismo

Can't Post | Private Reply

Muy bonito, gracias por ponerlo.

Éste sí es uno romántico, uno de mis favoritos del gran Pablo Neruda.

POEMA 20

Puedo escribir los versos más tristes esta noche.
Escribir, por ejemplo: «La noche está estrellada,
y tiritan, azules, los astros, a lo lejos.»

El viento de la noche gira en el cielo y canta.

Puedo escribir los versos más tristes esta noche.
Yo la quise, y a veces ella también me quiso.

En las noches como ésta la tuve entre mis brazos.
La besé tantas veces bajo el cielo infinito.

Ella me quiso, a veces yo también la quería.
Cómo no haber amado sus grandes ojos fijos.

Puedo escribir los versos más tristes esta noche.
Pensar que no la tengo. Sentir que la he perdido.

Oír la noche inmensa, más inmensa sin ella.
Y el verso cae al alma como al pasto el rocío.

Qué importa que mi amor no pudiera guardarla.
La noche está estrellada y ella no está conmigo.

Eso es todo. A lo lejos alguien canta. A lo lejos.
Mi alma no se contenta con haberla perdido.

Como para acercarla mi mirada la busca.
Mi corazón la busca, y ella no está conmigo.

La misma noche que hace blanquear los mismos árboles.
Nosotros, los de entonces, ya no somos los mismos.

Ya no la quiero, es cierto, pero cuánto la quise.
Mi voz buscaba el viento para tocar su oído.

De otro. Será de otro. Como antes de mis besos.
Su voz, su cuerpo claro. Sus ojos infinitos.

Ya no la quiero, es cierto, pero tal vez la quiero.
Es tan corto el amor, y es tan largo el olvido.

Porque en noches como ésta la tuve entre mis brazos,
Mi alma no se contenta con haberla perdido.

Aunque éste sea el último dolor que ella me causa,
y éstos sean los últimos versos que yo le escribo.

sergiogomez / Moderator

Sep 3, 2008, 4:03 PM

Post #4 of 48 (11855 views)

Shortcut

Re: [quevedo] Amor y romanticismo

Can't Post | Private Reply

There are times when I detest translating poetry, and this is one of them. The original has five syllables in each line and a rhyme scheme that I don't feel like figuring out right now, but I found it easier to use four syllables per line in the translation. Forget rhyming, and some stanzas have five syllables. I tried to keep the same number of syllables (4 or 5) in each couplet, at the least. Have fun. And it's not literal. I changed whatever I felt like when it seemed to work.

The Persians have
A somber king,
The sullen Huns,
A haughty king,
A pleasant king
The Spaniards have.
Men have a king,
A yellow king.
How wrong they are
Who serve these kings!

But I am vassal
Of another king,
A naked king,
Plump and white.
His scepter, a kiss!
My reward, a caress!
But, oh! my son! Like
Divine kings of old,
Ruling ancient lands
And vanished peoples,
Let me go with you
To the other world.

Touch my forehead
With your golden scepter.
Anoint your servant,
Your humble servant!
I will not tire
Of serving you!
To you, small king,
I will be true.
In battle, shield me
With your armor.
Let the wild sea
Come o'er my head
And calm its waves
At your request.

But if you serve
The kings of men,
The yellow kings,
Die by my side!
Live impurely?
Prefer death, my son!

quevedo

Sep 3, 2008, 5:49 PM

Post #5 of 48 (11847 views)

Shortcut

Re: [sergiogomez] El rey amarillo

Can't Post |

Nice translation! Muchas gracias.

A detail, estimado Sergio. You say "yellow kings", plural. The yellow king Martí talks about is just one and the same: gold, wealth, riches, don't you think?

Cordiales,

Quevedo

quevedo

Sep 3, 2008, 5:51 PM

Post #6 of 48 (11844 views)

Shortcut

Re: [sergiogomez] Lindo, romántico y...

Can't Post |

... muy triste.

¡Excelente!

Gracias y saludos,

Quevedo

(This post was edited by quevedo on Sep 5, 2008, 6:43 PM)

sergiogomez / Moderator

Sep 3, 2008, 6:20 PM

Post #7 of 48 (11840 views)

Shortcut

Re: [quevedo] Lindo, romántico y...

Can't Post | Private Reply

Sí, "el rey amarillo", singular, según José Martí. No cabe duda. Lo cambié porque me dio la gana, porque el poema habla de los reyes de muchas naciones, y honestamente no me fijé que se refería al oro. Te has olvidado de lo sentimental, por un puño de metal... Ahora tiene más sentido, pero estaba fastidiada cuando hice la traducción y no le presté mucha atención a los detalles. Sí, fastidiada, no es un error tipográfico. Soy una muchacha; me puse ese nick por el vocalista de K-Paz de la Sierra, a quien admiraba mucho. ¡Pero Ud. me puede llamar Sergio si quiere!

Al mejor pastor se le van las cabras....

(This post was edited by sergiogomez on Sep 3, 2008, 6:28 PM)

colibri1

Sep 3, 2008, 9:34 PM

Post #8 of 48 (11822 views)

Shortcut

Re: [sergiogomez] Lindo, romántico y...

Can't Post | Private Reply

Eres una muchacha...que sorpresa!!! I wanted to ask about your name, but did not want to intrude on your privacy. Thank you for joining us, I for one am very much enjoying your input.
M

quevedo

Sep 4, 2008, 9:52 AM

Post #9 of 48 (11802 views)

Shortcut

Re: [sergiogomez] Lindo, romántico y...

Can't Post |

Lejos de mí llamar Sergio a una mujer educada e inteligente como usted.

¿Sería mucho pedir que nos dijera su nombre, para poder llamarla como debe ser?

Cordiales,

Quevedo

(This post was edited by quevedo on Sep 4, 2008, 9:55 AM)

Oscar2

Sep 4, 2008, 10:28 AM

Post #10 of 48 (11793 views)

Shortcut

Re: [quevedo] Amor y romanticismo

Can't Post | Private Reply

Quevedo, I too, appreciate this thread. My pigion toed Spanish definitely will pick-up a few notches with the interest in human drama, which stirs the kind of warmth needed from time to time.

Short quips, passing phrases, good Spanish attractive lines to draw the eye and wrench something within which gives immediate attention to the present moment, personally I find fetching.

Not being a poet, nor a connoisseur of such, much is to be said of its appreciation and songs which touch a spirit which connects to something telling within. The following isn’t short but carries itself well into its charm.

Déjame mirarte despacio, poco a poco, recorriendo tus secretos y disfrutando de tus silencios, déjame admirarte mientras te deseo.

Sólo es un segundo en el que me atrevo a pedirte que me ames, después seguiré soñando contigo y pidiendo que un día me dediques una de tus miradas.

Eres mi dueña, tan sólo me dominas con amor, tu amor es mi destino, tú eres mi camino, mándame que te ame.. obedeceré.

Tócame, hasta hacerme sentir tu ternura infinita, tócame, para que pueda gozar de tu calor y de tus ganas de amarme, tócame eternamente.

sergiogomez / Moderator

Sep 4, 2008, 6:19 PM

Post #11 of 48 (11773 views)

Shortcut

Re: [quevedo] Lindo, romántico y...

Can't Post | Private Reply

No me importa mucho cómo me llamen, también soy juguetona, pero si quieren saber, mi nombre verdadero es Olivia.

Saludos, ya me voy a hacer mis tareas.

quevedo

Sep 5, 2008, 6:26 PM

Post #12 of 48 (11715 views)

Shortcut

Re: [sergiogomez] Lindo, romántico y...

Can't Post |

Muchas gracias, Olivia.

Cordiales,

Luis

quevedo

Sep 5, 2008, 6:36 PM

Post #13 of 48 (11712 views)

Shortcut

Re: [Oscar2] Amor y romanticismo

Can't Post |

Let me slowly look at you,
little by little,
covering over your secrets
and enjoying your silences;
let me admire you
while I desire you.

Gentle and sensual at the same time.

Please, volunteers,

Correct my English.
Finish the translation for all to enjoy.

Gracias y saludos,

Quevedo

sergiogomez / Moderator

Sep 6, 2008, 10:41 AM

Post #14 of 48 (11678 views)

Shortcut

Re: [Oscar2] Amor y romanticismo

Can't Post | Private Reply

Let me admire you slowly, unhurriedly, discovering your secrets and enjoying your silence. Let me admire you while I desire you.

For a second only I dare to ask for your love, then I return to dreaming of you and hoping that one day you will give me the gift of one of your looks.

You own my heart, you have conquered me with love, your love is my destiny, you are my path. Command me to love you; I will obey.

Touch me; I want to feel your infinite tenderness. Touch me; I want to feel your warmth and desire to love me. Touch me now and forever.

Oscar2

Sep 6, 2008, 4:21 PM

Post #15 of 48 (11663 views)

Shortcut

Re: [quevedo] Amor y romanticismo

Can't Post | Private Reply

Quevedo, well said and yes, besides your English, your help and efforts are even more appreciated. Aren't we fortunate to have Olivia on board, she is also an excellent translator.

Olivia, capturing the essence, its emotional link to the heart and translated with your kind of talent is beyond words, its churned and lived through the nature of who you are within. We’re not born with the talent of expression, we are the expression of all we have been and who we are at this moment.

I really don’t know how the Latin word came about and how its so fraught with delightful meaning but one thing for sure, the culture which enjoys them have a treasure in their midst. We are all linked and expression, verbal or otherwise, somehow puts us all somewhere on this planet reaching out, even here, in this small little microcosm called MC.

Con mucho gusto,

Oscar

(This post was edited by Oscar2 on Sep 6, 2008, 4:22 PM)

Georgia

Sep 7, 2008, 5:07 PM

Post #16 of 48 (11606 views)

Shortcut

Re: [sergiogomez] Amor y romanticismo

Can't Post | Private Reply

Spanish poetry, when it rhymes, tends to rhyme by assonance: that is, the vowels, not the consonants, match line to line.

Georgia

Sep 7, 2008, 5:09 PM

Post #17 of 48 (11602 views)

Shortcut

Re: [Oscar2] Amor y romanticismo

Can't Post | Private Reply

Well, that takes my breath away!

Georgia

Sep 7, 2008, 5:20 PM

Post #18 of 48 (11601 views)

Shortcut

Re: [quevedo] Amor y romanticismo

Can't Post | Private Reply

Since we are sharing our most loving poems in Spanish, here is mine, from Juana de Ibarbourou of Uruguay:

La Higuera

Porque es aspera y fea;
Porque todas sus ramas son grises,
Yo le tengo piedad a la higuera.

En mi quinta hay cien arboles bellos:
Ciruelos redondos,
Limineros erectos
Y naranjos de brotes lustrosos.

En la primaveras,
Todos ellos se cubren de flores
En torno a la higuera.

Y la pobre parece tan triste
Con sus gajos torcidos que nunca
De apretados capullos se visten ...

Por eso,
Cada vez que yo paso a su lado
Digo, procurando
Hacer dulce y alegre mi acento:
-Es la higuera el mas bello
De los arboles todos del huerto.

Si ella escucha,
Si comprende el idioma en que hablo,
!Que dulzura tan honda hara nido
En su alma sensible de arbol!

Y tal vez, a la noche,
Cuando el viento abanique su copa,
Embriagada de gozo le cuente:
-Hoy a mi me dijeron hermosa.

And it brings me to tears every time I read it aloud.

sergiogomez / Moderator

Sep 8, 2008, 4:33 PM

Post #19 of 48 (11570 views)

Shortcut

Re: [Georgia] Amor y romanticismo

Can't Post | Private Reply

La higuera--a beautiful poem. I have to thank my good Colombian friend and literature professor for exposing me to that one. Anyone up to translating it, or shall we enjoy it in its native language? Comments? Questions? (A forum is only as good as the amount of conversation people have in it...bueno, ¡en parte!)

Georgia

Sep 8, 2008, 5:08 PM

Post #20 of 48 (11567 views)

Shortcut

Re: [sergiogomez] Amor y romanticismo

Can't Post | Private Reply

Well, I'll try, but it will always be better in Spanish:

Because she is harsh and ugly;
Because all her branches are grey.
I feel pity for the fig tree.

In my country house there are a hundred beautiful trees:
Round plum trees,
Straight lime trees,
And orange trees with shiny buds.

Every spring,
they are all covered with flowers
Around the fig tree.

And the poor thing seems so sad
With its twisted branches that never
are clothed in bunches of buds ..

And that is why,
Whenever I pass by her
I say, trying
to sound sweet and happy:
-You are the most beautiful fig tree
Of all the trees in the garden.

If she's listening,
If she understands the language I speak,
What deep comfort will nestle
In the sensitive soul of the tree!

And perhaps, when night falls,
When the wind fans her bower,
Wrapped in pleasure, she will murmur:
-Today someone called me beautiful.

(This post was edited by Georgia on Sep 8, 2008, 5:10 PM)

Oscar2

Sep 9, 2008, 3:12 PM

Post #21 of 48 (11542 views)

Shortcut

Re: [Georgia] Amor y romanticismo

Can't Post | Private Reply

Georgia, indeed it was poignant, touching and finalized with wanted and sometimes needed validation. I choked too. Your translation was very good. It carried itself so well. The message was nicely captured and so well said. Gracias

Here’s another little something I enjoyed as well: But my translation is wanting.

Quieta, sigilosa, me haces amarte, me haces desearte, sigue quieta e inmóvil que yo sabré como entregarte el cielo para soñar.

Ni cerrando los ojos dejo de mirarte, ni en tu ausencia dejo de besarte, porque eres mi presencia, mi sonido y mi mundo.

Si alguien al besarte dice que te quiere; no le creas porque hay personas que sin besarte
te quieren; y sin quererte te besan.

Quiéreme hasta cuando menos lo merezca, porque es en ése instante cuando te necesito más.

Daria todo porque la distancia que nos separa solo existiera en nuestra imaginación

Georgia

Sep 9, 2008, 3:51 PM

Post #22 of 48 (11538 views)

Shortcut

Re: [Oscar2] Amor y romanticismo

Can't Post | Private Reply

Ah, thank you, Oscar. Your poem reminds me of a lot of country westers songs: impossible, distant romance. Very latino, very tejano. Who wrote it?

Georgia

Sep 9, 2008, 4:16 PM

Post #23 of 48 (11536 views)

Shortcut

Re: [sergiogomez] Amor y romanticismo

Can't Post | Private Reply

Maybe we need a forum on Mexican literature and/or Latin American lit. I just finished reading "Malinche" by Laura Esquivel. Now, this may seem odd, but I am somewhat obsessed by quantum physics because I see in it, and in Einstein's special theory of relativity, a connection between pre-colombian thought, quantum physics and Latin American literature, like that of Esquivel, Cortazar, and Gabriel Garcia Marquez? Anyone out there interested? I find very few people where I live now, who read these authors. In Quito everyone read everything! My brain is lonely.

sergiogomez / Moderator

Sep 9, 2008, 6:59 PM

Post #24 of 48 (11526 views)

Shortcut

Re: [Georgia] Amor y romanticismo

Can't Post | Private Reply

Great idea, Georgia. I think a literature forum would be an excellent addition to the site. One of my favorite things to do is to try to figure out exactly how pre-Colombian peoples thought. I've come to the conclusion that it's pretty much what you see in the local, say Mexican, cultures when you take away what's obviously European. Such a shame that so few indigenous writings survived the Conquest, but modern Latin American literature is fascinating as well. That special strain of drama and surrealism puts it in a class of its own. What's the literary term, realismo mágico. I love reading Carlos Fuentes, Elena Poniatowska, Neruda, Juan Rulfo, García Márquez, Borges, Horacio Quiroga...the list goes on and on. Como agua para chocolate is a terrific book and a not-too-bad movie.

Georgia

Sep 9, 2008, 7:09 PM

Post #25 of 48 (11524 views)

Shortcut

Re: [sergiogomez] Amor y romanticismo

Can't Post | Private Reply

Wow! I haven't found anybody around here whose read these things, except for one doctor, and I have no one to discuss them with. I read 1492 and then 1421 this year. Precolombian religion never went away: it was just lacquered over with Catholicism. But it's in there! As is the pre colombian concept of time and the calendars.

1 2 View All