Painting from the School of Madrid, circa 1650Two Poems by Bécquer, Translated by Cheryl Corey The Society December 18, 2021 Beauty, Culture, Music, Poetry, Translation 10 Comments . The Harp by Gustavo Bécquer | from Spanish by Cheryl Corey Obscured by corner shadows, gathering dust, perhaps forgotten over time—there stands the silent harp. So many hidden notes entombed on muted strings, which like a bird asleep upon a steadfast bough, await the snow-white hand who makes their music sing. Alas! So too, I’ve often thought, the spirit sleeps. It waits, like Lazarus, deep within the soul, until it hears a voice—the Lord’s command: “Arise and walk!” . . The Swallows by Gustavo Bécquer | from Spanish by Cheryl Corey A flock of dark swallows shall return to fill your balcony with hanging nests, and playful wings will flap at window panes; but those in migrant flight, that wind constrains, who knew our names, who’ve seen your loveliness, my happiness, shall never come again. The honeysuckle vines will twine your garden walls, and even prettier blooms will open at later times; but blossoms full of dew— the ones we see that shiver, break, and fall like tear-filled days—will never bloom anew! Your ears will someday hear new words of passion, perhaps your deeply dreaming heart to waken; but as I kneel in silent contemplation, as one who worships God before his altar, so I have worshipped you … don’t fool yourself: A love like mine shall never come again! . . Original Spanish El arpa Del salón en el ángulo oscuro, de su dueña tal vez olvidada, silenciosa y cubierta de polvo veíase el arpa. ¡Cuánta nota dormía en sus cuerdas, como el pájaro duerme en las ramas, esperando la mano de nieve, que sabe arrancarlas! ¡Ay!—pensé; cuántas veces el genio así duerme en el fondo del alma! y una voz, como Lázaro, espera que le diga: “¡Levántate y anda!” . Las golandrinas Volverán las oscura golondrinas en tu balcón sus nidos a colgar, y otra vez con el ala a sus cristales jugando llamarán; pero aquellos que el vuelo refrenaban tu hermosura y mi dicha al contemplar, aquellas que aprendieron nuestras nombres, ésas …; ¡no volverán! Volverán las tupidas madreselvas de tu jardín las tapias a escalar, y otra vez a la tarde, aún más hermosas, sus flores se abrirán; pero aquellas, cuajadas de rocio, cuyas gotas mirábamos temblar y caer, como lágrimas del día … ésas … ¡no volverán! Volverán del amor en tus oidos las palabras ardientes a sonar; tu corazón de su profundo sueño tal vez despertará; pero mudo y absorto y de rodillas, como se adora a Dios ante su altar, como yo te he querido … desengáñate, ¡así no te querrán! . . Cheryl Corey’s recent credits include the current issue of Iconoclast and www.grand-little-things.com. Other publications include Iambs & Trochees, Deronda, The NeoVictorian/Cochlea, The Comstock Review, Mobius, and Time of Singing. In 2007 she received 1st Place for the Dylan Thomas Award and Honorable Mention for the June Kraeft Memorial Award in The World Order of Narrative and Formalist Poets contest. NOTE TO READERS: If you enjoyed this poem or other content, please consider making a donation to the Society of Classical Poets. The Society of Classical Poets does not endorse any views expressed in individual poems or commentary. Trending now: 10 Responses Sgk December 18, 2021 “If I read a book and it makes my whole body so cold no fire can warm me, I know that is poetry. If I feel physically as if the top of my head were taken off, I know that is poetry. These are the only ways I know it. Is there any other way?” ― Emily Dickinson, Selected Letters Thank you for translating these beautiful poems. Sgk Reply DONALD PETER McCRORY December 18, 2021 Two exceptionally beautiful renditions of two of Gustavo Adolfo Becquer´s well-known and most loved poems. Cheryl has been able to touch the emotional quintessence of each poem and thus make each line become alive for the reader. So much so, that each translation has become a ´separate´ poem in its own right. Cheryl, have you other translations of other poems (whether of Becquer or possibly of any of the later 1927 Generation of poets? Reply Cheryl Corey December 18, 2021 Mr. McCrory, thank you for your kind words. It means a lot to me, especially since these poems are my first attempts at translation! I’ve discovered just how difficult it is. It’s hard enough to translate into English meter, let alone incorporate rhyme. It seems to me that translation calls for striking a balance. I made every effort to remain faithful to the spirit and meaning of the original and not stray too far. Or is it a given that something will always be “lost in translation” as the saying goes? I have a few other translations that I might call finished, and I’m tearing my hair out on many others, so perhaps in the future, you’ll be seeing more of them here. Reply DONALD PETER McCRORY December 19, 2021 Hola Cheryl! Muchas gracias por tu respuesta tan rapida! You certainly have a gift for translation (yes, in general, something is ´lost´ in translation), but very little in the best. I would like to read any others of your ´´¡finished´ works, if possible and bedore you lose all your hair! My Ph.D thesis was on the works of Jorge GUILLEN (CANTICO). Have you read his poetry? I am currently living near Alicante in Spain and thus avoiding the worst outbreaks of Covid 19 in the UK! Good Luck! Paul Freeman December 18, 2021 The first poem, especially, I found stunning. There is a haunting atmosphere to it that literally gave me goosebumps. First attempt at translation? I can’t wait for the next. Thanks for the reads, Cheryl. Reply Joseph S. Salemi December 18, 2021 These translations are good work that captures the feel of Becquer, who was a very intense Spanish Romantic poet. Check out his poem that begins “Yo soy ardiente, yo soy morena / Yo soy el simbolo de la pasion…” In the first line of the original Spanish of “Las golandrinas,” the word /oscura/ should be /oscuras/, and /golondrinas/ should be made consistent with the title. Reply Cheryl Corey December 18, 2021 Thank you for pointing out the error. Reply Yael December 18, 2021 Nice translations! It’s edifying to me to be able to read poetry from another time and language and to gain insight into the thoughts and ideas which would otherwise be closed off to me, thank you. I love getting a picture with each poem too, that’s like a cherry on the top. Reply Allegra Silberstein December 18, 2021 Thank you for translating these poems so beautifully. Reply J.J. Charles December 20, 2021 Qué sorpresa! Thank you for this! 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Sgk December 18, 2021 “If I read a book and it makes my whole body so cold no fire can warm me, I know that is poetry. If I feel physically as if the top of my head were taken off, I know that is poetry. These are the only ways I know it. Is there any other way?” ― Emily Dickinson, Selected Letters Thank you for translating these beautiful poems. Sgk Reply
DONALD PETER McCRORY December 18, 2021 Two exceptionally beautiful renditions of two of Gustavo Adolfo Becquer´s well-known and most loved poems. Cheryl has been able to touch the emotional quintessence of each poem and thus make each line become alive for the reader. So much so, that each translation has become a ´separate´ poem in its own right. Cheryl, have you other translations of other poems (whether of Becquer or possibly of any of the later 1927 Generation of poets? Reply
Cheryl Corey December 18, 2021 Mr. McCrory, thank you for your kind words. It means a lot to me, especially since these poems are my first attempts at translation! I’ve discovered just how difficult it is. It’s hard enough to translate into English meter, let alone incorporate rhyme. It seems to me that translation calls for striking a balance. I made every effort to remain faithful to the spirit and meaning of the original and not stray too far. Or is it a given that something will always be “lost in translation” as the saying goes? I have a few other translations that I might call finished, and I’m tearing my hair out on many others, so perhaps in the future, you’ll be seeing more of them here. Reply
DONALD PETER McCRORY December 19, 2021 Hola Cheryl! Muchas gracias por tu respuesta tan rapida! You certainly have a gift for translation (yes, in general, something is ´lost´ in translation), but very little in the best. I would like to read any others of your ´´¡finished´ works, if possible and bedore you lose all your hair! My Ph.D thesis was on the works of Jorge GUILLEN (CANTICO). Have you read his poetry? I am currently living near Alicante in Spain and thus avoiding the worst outbreaks of Covid 19 in the UK! Good Luck!
Paul Freeman December 18, 2021 The first poem, especially, I found stunning. There is a haunting atmosphere to it that literally gave me goosebumps. First attempt at translation? I can’t wait for the next. Thanks for the reads, Cheryl. Reply
Joseph S. Salemi December 18, 2021 These translations are good work that captures the feel of Becquer, who was a very intense Spanish Romantic poet. Check out his poem that begins “Yo soy ardiente, yo soy morena / Yo soy el simbolo de la pasion…” In the first line of the original Spanish of “Las golandrinas,” the word /oscura/ should be /oscuras/, and /golondrinas/ should be made consistent with the title. Reply
Yael December 18, 2021 Nice translations! It’s edifying to me to be able to read poetry from another time and language and to gain insight into the thoughts and ideas which would otherwise be closed off to me, thank you. I love getting a picture with each poem too, that’s like a cherry on the top. Reply
