Acknowledgments
Foreword
Chronology of Important Dates
An Introduction to Rosalia de Castro
TRANSLATIONS
(An asterisk indicates that the poem is part of a series)
Selections from Cantares gallegos [Galician Songs]
Prologue
I was born in springtime Bells of Bastabales Blessed Saint Anthony Farewell to rivers, farewell to streams Castilians of Castile
Selections from Follas novas [New Leaves]
Prologue
Book I. Musings They say whoever sings of doves and flowers I know quite well As the clouds You will say these verses have a strange New Leaves! your name Some say: my land! Whether in the heart of the night Where is this peace Once a nail pierced my heart When we are happiest Perhaps today, perhaps tomorrow, who can say when? It is no longer bitterness, nor contempt These voices that come and go One heartbeat, then another In winter I wondered See my heart With his wave's soft persistent whisper I keep searching for honey and cool My hand quivers, my heart beats
Book II. From the Heart
Flow on, serene, crystal waters Into that cup from which you drink There are soft loaves that come in secret I knew pain and anger When they wrap me in a shroud They barked at me as I walked My soul Sea, with your depthless waters Dig swiftly, dig Just when I think you have fled Take me to that crystal fountain In the sky, clearest blue I was robbed of my innocence God placed a veil "Tick-tock! Tick-tock!" the pendulum repeats In late afternoon, when I go to pray Endless May . .. endless May Pale moon How peacefully they glisten *Padron!. ..Padron! Why, merciful God There were joyful mornings
Book III. Miscellany
The angels came down Cold months of winter Always a plaintive cry, a doubt You say that marriage I was born with a disease
Book IV. From the Earth
*I hate you, new fields
Book V. Widows of the Living and Widows of the Dead
*One after another departs *No bread in the oven, no wood to burn
Selections from En las orillas del Sar [By the River Sar]
I hoped this small book of verse *Through the evergreen *I hear the soothing bells Some are tall The day was mild Earth, to cover the unburied body Sweet fragrance foretells The air is white-hot A gentle river, a narrow path Stop a moment, restless thought The sun was dying, and withered oak leaves The rythmic crash of the wave Along the beach, thirsty sands Foolish soul as you flee from yourself When I remember the golden sea Along the old road, a pine-grove In their tomb, passions now sleep She believed you would reign forever in her soul He feels that you, vital flame Don't climb so high, foolish thought Some slandered him In their prisons of hawthorns and roses The spring has ceased to flow- The waters and hills are ashen God knows all too well that those wholeave Pale-hued rosebud In his slanted blue eyes Once he was the heaven of her soul, the dream of her dreams "I love you . .. Why do you hate me?" Black or white butterflies, I do not care Though always pale, the moon changes A mournful shadow, undefined and vague Vertigo pulled his wild, blind fantasies She carried one thought in her soul When storm clouds gather Rivers overflow when mountain streams He longs for tranquility When the North wind blows cold In my small garden Echoing slowly all the church bells She feels regret I care for a delicate plant Birds in the air, moss on the rock Thrown from its orbit, the human spirit tumbles In the organ's echo or in the murmuring wind They say the plants, streams, and birds do not speak Every time she recalls that shame She remembers the birds' warble As long as the silver threads The hearts of some people Whenever I hear I, in my bed of thistles- Chased by a swift skylark Should you arrive late to the feast of the gods It was April, and the purple lilies I love them and listen to them Even though my body is freezing You envy blondes Those who are not in love think that Human justice! I search for you Incurably ill, she believed My heart has one taut string Those who cry are not alone "This cup of fine gold I am sure I was not born to hate House after hour, day after day Oh my Christ, when I forget you
Notes to Translations
Bibliography
Alphabetical Index to First Lines and Titles in Galician
Alphabetical Index to First Lines and Titles in Spanish