Miró Celia una rosa que en el prado...
Miró Celia una rosa que en el prado
ostentaba feliz la pompa vana
y con afeites de carmín y grana
bañaba alegre el rostro delicado;
y dijo: "Goza, sin temor del Hado,
el curso breve de tu edad lozana,
pues no podrá la muerte de mañana
quitarte lo que hubieres hoy gozado;
y aunque llega la muerte presurosa
y tu fragante vida se te aleja,
no sientas el morir tan bella y moza:
mira que la experiencia te aconseja
que es fortuna morirte siendo hermosa
y no ver el ultraje de ser vieja."
Celia saw a rose which in the field...
Celia saw a rose which in the field
its self-indulgent pomp gaily displayed
and with its scarlet lipstick, crimson rouge
its delicate visage joyfully bathed;
and she said, "Go enjoy, not fearing Fate,
the brief course that your graceful youth obeys,
for death that comes tomorrow never can
take from you what you have enjoyed today;
and even though death nears so rapidly
and your sweet-scented life is on the wane,
don't rue your death, so fair and young foretold:
for your experience advises you
that it's good luck to die while beautiful
and see not the affront of being old."
Translated by Alix IngberEtiquetas: Sor Juana Inés de la Cruz |
CELIA WATCHED A ROSE THAT IN THE MEADOW...
Celia watched a rose that in the meadow
flaunted joyously its vain pomp,
bathing its delicate countenance
in waves of blush and flush. And she said:
Fearlessly facing Fate, enjoy
the brief span of your lush time
for tomorrow's death cannot rob you
of the pleasure you have today.
And though Death presses on you
and your fragrant life departs, don't regret
your dying so pretty and so young.
See how experience counsels
that it's luck to die while pretty
and not behold the outrage of being old.
Translated by Michael Smith