Francisco de Aldana

Soneto XXX

Otro aquí no se ve que, frente a frente,
animoso escuadrón moverse guerra,
sangriento humor teñir la verde tierra,
y tras honroso fin correr la gente;

éste es el dulce son que acá se siente:
"¡España, Santïago, cierra, cierra!",
y por süave olor, que el aire atierra,
humo de azufre dar con llama ardiente;

el gusto envuelto va tras corrompida
agua, y el tacto sólo apalpa y halla
duro trofeo de acero ensangrentado,

hueso en astilla, en él carne molida,
despedazado arnés, rasgada malla:
¡oh solo de hombres digno y noble estado!



Sonnet #XXX

All that one can see is, face to face,
intrepid squadrons bent on making war,
bloody fluids staining the green earth,
and everyone pursuing honor's game;

this is the lovely sound that all can hear:
"For Spain, Saint James, close ranks, attack, attack!
And as a pleasing scent to foul the air,
sulphur smoke ignites with burning flame;

one's taste, now compromised, seeks out unclean
water, and touch can only grope and finds
in bloodied steel a trophy hard as stone,

splintered bone, within it rotted flesh,
mangled armor, torn-up coats of mail:
oh, noble state, worthy of men alone!

                     (©Alix Ingber, 1995)



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E-mail your comments and questions to:

Alix Ingber
Professor of Spanish
Sweet Briar College

ingber@sbc.edu



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