Francisco de Quevedo

Conoce la diligencia con que se acerca la muerte,
y procura conocer también la conveniencia de su venida,
y aprovecharse de ese conocimiento


Ya formidable y espantoso suena
dentro del corazón el postrer día;
y la última hora, negra y fría,
se acerca, de temor y sombras llena.

Si agradable descanso, paz serena
la muerte en traje de dolor envía,
señas da su desdén de cortesía:
más tiene de caricia que de pena.

¿Qué pretende el temor desacordado
de la que a rescatar piadosa viene
espíritu en miserias anudado?

Llegue rogada, pues mi bien previene;
hálleme agradecido, no asustado;
mi vida acabe, y mi vivir ordene.



Recognizing the diligence with which death approaches,
and trying to recognize also the desirability of her arrival,
and to take advantage of such recognition


Formidable and frightfully resounds
within my heart the day when all will end;
and now the last hour, black, and cold, and drear
approaches, full of shadows and of fear.

If pleasant rest, serene tranquility
death offers me, dressed up to look like grief
her scorn to me resembles courtesy:
there's more caress in her than penalty.

What point is there so foolishly to dread
the one who to redeem with mercy comes
a spirit that in misery lies chained?

I beg she come, my welfare she insures;
thankful may she find me, not afraid;
she'll end my life, my living she'll arrange. 

                     (©Alix Ingber, 1995)



 View commentary (comparison with a sonnet by Góngora)




 E-mail your comments and questions to:

Alix Ingber
Professor of Spanish
Sweet Briar College

ingber@sbc.edu



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