La cena de Baltasar

BELSHAZZAR'S FEAST

This translation was prepared in the mid-Nineteenth century by Denis Florence Mac-Carthy. It was first rendered in electronic form by Phil Winkelman

Persons who speak:

The King BELSHAZZAR

• DANIEL

• IDOLATRY

• VANITY

• THOUGHT

• DEATH

• The Equestrian STATUE

• MUSICIANS

The beautiful Garden of BELSHAZZAR's Palace,

   DANIEL

            Espera.

Dan.             Stay!

  PENSAMIENTO

   ¿Qué he de esperar ?

Pen.                 Why stay? the road is free.

DANIEL

            Advierte.

Dan.        Stop!

PENSAMIENTO

      ¿Qué he de advertir ?

Pen.             Why stop? the coast is clear.

DANIEL

             oyeme.

Dan.       Hear me!

PENSAMIENTO

    No quiero oír.

Pen.                 I don't want to hear.

DANIEL

            Mira.

Dan.        See though-

PENSAMIENTO

No quiero mirar.

Pen.                   I don't want to see.

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DANIEL

            ¿Quién respondió de ese modo

Dan.             Who before, in words like these,

 nunca a quien le preguntó ?

               Questioned thus, has thus replied?

PENSAMIENTO

            Yo, que sólo tengo yo

Pen.       I, for I, by rules untied,

 desahogo para todo.

               I alone say what I please.

DANIEL

            ¿Quién eres ?

Dan.             Say, who art thou?

PENSAMIENTO

           Cuando eso ignores

Pen.                               Thy not knowing

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 vengo a ser yo el ofendido;

               This offends me, I confess:--

 ¿no te lo dice el vestido

               Tells it not to thee this dress

 ajironado a colores ?

               With a thousand colors glowing,

 ¿Que, como el camaleón,

                    Like the many-hued emission

 no se conoce cuál es

               The chameleon's skin gives out,

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 la principal causa ? Pues

               Leaving its true shade in doubt?

 oye mi definición.

               Hear, then, this, my definition:

 Yo, de solos atributos

                    I am of those attributes

 que mi ser inmortal pide,

               In which deathless being prideth,

 soy una luz que divide

               I that light am which divideth

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 a los hombres de los brutos.

               Man's high nature from the brute's.

 Soy el primero crisol

                    I am that first crucible,

 en que toca la fortuna,

               In which fortune's worth is tested

 más mudable que la luna

               Swift as sunlight unarrested

 y más ligero que el sol.

               Than the moon more mutable:

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 No tengo fijo lugar

                   I have no fixed place wherein

 donde morir y nacer,

               To be born, or live, or die.

 y ando siempre sin saber

               On I move, yet know not I

 dónde tengo de parar.

               Where to end or to begin.

 La adversa suerte, o la altiva,

                    Fate, how dark or bright it be

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 siempre a su lado me ve;

              Ever at its side beholds me

 no hay hombre en quien yo no esté

               Every human brain enfolds me

 ni mujer en quien no viva.

               Man's and woman's-none are free

 Soy en el rey el desvelo

                    I am in the king his care,

 de su reino, y de su estado;

               When he plans his kingdom's weal;

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 soy en el que es su privado

              I am vigilance and zeal,

 la vigilancia y el celo;

               When his favorite's toils I share.

 soy en el rico justicia;

                    I am guilt's sure punishment,

 la culpa, en el delincuente;

               Self-reproach in the offender;

 virtud, en el pretendiente,          

               I am craft in the pretender,

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 y en el próvido, malicia;

              Foresight in the provident.

 en la dama, la hermosura;

                    In the lady, I am beauty,

 en el galán, el favor;

               In the lover, his romance;

 en el soldado, el valor;

               In the gambler, hope of chance;

 en el tahúr, la ventura;

               In the gallant soldier, duty;

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 en el avaro, riqueza;

                   In the miser, money-madness;

 en el mísero, agonía;

               In the wretch, his life's long dearth;

 en el alegre, alegría;

               In the joyful, I am mirth-,

 y en el triste, soy tristeza;

               And in the sorrowful, am sadness;

 y, en fin, inquieto y violento,

                    And, in fine, thus strangely wrought,

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 por dondequiera que voy

               Restless, rapid, on I fly,

 soy todo y nada, pues soy

               Nothing, everything am I,

 el humano Pensamiento.

               Since I am the Human Thought.

 Mira, si bien me describe

                    See, if such strange changes give

 variedad tan singular,

               Thee, O Man, true views about me,

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 pues quien vive sin pensar

               Since the thing that lives without me,

 no puede decir que vive.

               Scarcely can be said to live.

 Esto es, si en común me fundo,

                    This I am for each and all,

 mas hoy en particular

               But to-day I am assigned

 soy el del rey Baltasar,

               To the King Belshazzar's mind

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 que no cabe en todo el mundo.

               He for whom the world's too small.

 Andar de loco vestido

                    Though in fool's clothes dressed completely,

 no es porque a solas lo soy,

               I am not sole fool; and why?

 sino que en público estoy

               Just because in public, I

 a la prudencia rendido.

               Try my best to act discreetly,

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 Pues ningún loco se hallara

                   Since a fool 'twere hard to find

 que más incurable fuera

               More incurable than he

 si ejecutara y dijera

               Who would do, or say, or be

 un hombre cuanto pensara;

               What he thought within his mind.

 y así lo parecen pocos,

                    Thus few wear the fool's-cap feather,

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 siéndolo cuantos encuentro,

               Although most that badge might win,

 porque vistos hacia dentro,

               For, when looked at from within,

 todos somos locos:

               We are madmen all together

 los unos y los otros.

               Fools of the same kith and kin.

 Y, en fin, siendo loco yo,

                    And, in fine, I, being a fool,

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 no me he querido parar

               Did not like to stop and pause

 a hablarte a ti, por mirar

               Here to speak with thee, because

 que no es compatible, no,

               It would outrage every rule,

 que estemos juntos los dos,

                    That we two were joined, and trod

 que será una lid cruel,

               On together, badly mated,

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 porque si tú eres Daniel,

               For if "Daniel," when translated,

 que es decir juicio de Dios,

               Meaneth Wisdom as of God,

 mal ajustarse procura

                    It were difficult to try

 hoy nuestra conversación,

               To keep up a conversation,

 si somos en conclusión          

               We being in our separate station,

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 juicio tú y yo locura.

              Wisdom thou, and Folly I.

DANIEL

            Bien podemos hoy un poco

Dan.             Yet to-day I know no rules

 hablar los dos con acuerdo,

               That forbid our casual speaking,

 tú subiéndote a ser cuerdo,

               Thou the way of the wise man seeking

 sin bajarme yo a ser loco,

               I not stooping to the fool's:

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 que aunque es tanta la distancia

                    For, although the distance be

 de acciones locas y cuerdas,

               Great 'twixt wise and witless words,

 tomando el punto a dos cuerdas,

               Still 'tis from two different chords

 hacen una consonancia.

               Springs the sweetest harmony.

PENSAMIENTO

            Responderte a todo intento,

Pen.            Well, I'll answer with decision,

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 y es consecuencia perfeta,

               And get over my confusion,

 que lo que alcanza un profeta

               Since it is a fight conclusion

 se lo diga el Pensamiento.

               Thought should tell the Prophet's vision.

DANIEL

            Dime, ¿de qué es el placer,

Dan.             Say what pleasure, deeply drawn,

 que ahora vuelas celebrando ?

               Art thou now in spirit drinking?

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PENSAMIENTO

            De la boda estoy pensando

Pen.       Of the bridal I am thinking,

 que hoy Babilonia ha de ver

               Which, to-day, all Babylon

 el aplauso superior.

                    Celebrates with festive roar.

DANIEL

            ¿Pues quién, di, se ha de casar ?

Dan.        Now the bridegroom's name declare.

PENSAMIENTO

            Nuestro gran rey Baltasar,

Pen.       King Belshazzar, son and heir

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 de Nabucodonosor

               Of Nabuchadónosór,

 hijo en todo descendiente.

                    Heir of pride, by pride increased:-

DANIEL

            ¿Quién es la novia feliz ?

Dan.        Who is, then, the happy bride?

PENSAMIENTO

            La gallarda emperatriz

Pen.       She who rules the Orient wide

 de los reinos del Oriente,

               The fair Empress of the East,

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 cuna adonde nace el día.

                    Cradle of day's infancy.

DANIEL

            ¿Ella es idólatra ?

Dan.        An idolatress, is she?

PENSAMIENTO

                 Pues

Pen.       Yes, And so great an idolatress

 y tan idólatra es,

               She is herself Idolatry.

 que es la misma idolatría.

DANIEL

            ¿Él no estaba ya casado

Dan.            Is he not, in marriage vows,

               Wed already to a wife,

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 con la humana vanidad

               In the vanity of life?

 de su imperio y majestad ?

     PENSAMIENTO

            Su ley licencia le ha dado

Pen.       Yes; but then his law allows

 de dos mujeres, y aun mil,

                    Two, or even a thousand wives,

 y aunque vanidad tenía,

               And, though wed to Vanity,

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 vanidad e idolatría

              Now for Paganism he,

 le hacen soberbio y gentil;

               With imperious passion, strives,

 juicio de Dios, o Daniel,

                    Daniel, or "God's Wisdom," names

 que todo es uno, que así

               --For the two are one--to thee

 lo dice el texto.

               Given by Scripture.

DANIEL

           ¿Ay de mí !

Dan.                            Woe is me!

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PENSAMIENTO

            ¿Habíais de casar con él,

Pen.       Would you wed yourself the dames

 que tanto lo sentís vos ?

                    That you thus take on you so?   

 (Aparte.)          

Aside

    Mal en decírselo hice.

               (This to tell was wrong, I see.)

DANIEL

            ¿Ay de ti, reino infelice !

Dan.        Woe! God's people! woe to thee!

 ¿Ay de ti, pueblo de Dios !

                    Woe! unhappy kingdom, woe!

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PENSAMIENTO

            Si va a decir la verdad,

Pen.       If the truth were told, thy deepest

 vos estáis ahora pensando

               Pain is now the contemplating

 que él celebra bodas cuando

               The great bride-feast celebrating,

 lloráis en cautividad

               While a captive here thou weepest,

 vosotros, y es el dolor

                    This it is that saddens thee;

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 de que esta boda no sea

               For if he had chanced to wed

 con la Sinagoga hebrea,

               With the Jewish rite instead,

 por quedar libres y por...

               Thou wouldst be redeemed and free;-         

 pero la música suena.

                    Hark! the distant music sounds;

 (Tocan chirimías.)

 Presto a otra cosa pasé

               Now I pass to other things;

140

 mientras Babilonia ve

             Babylon with rapture rings,

 qué recibimiento ordena

               Every heart with joy rebounds,

 a su reina que los dos

                    Welcoming, with jubilee,

 nos retiremos, nos dicen.

               The new Wife-Queen. Let us go.

 (Retírase.)

DANIEL

            ¿Ay de ti, reino infelice !

Dan.        Woe! unhappy kingdom, woe!

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 ¿Ay de ti, pueblo de Dios !

               Woe! Gods people! woe to thee!

     (Tocan chirimías y salen BALTASAR y LA VANIDAD, y por otra parte LA IDOLATRIA,

BALTASAR

            Corónese tu frente

Bal.         Crown thy fair forehead at this feast

 de los hermosos rayos del Oriente,

               With all the dazzling splendor of the East,

 si ya la poma suya

               If for so bright a diadem

 no es poca luz para diadema tuya;

               The sun itself is not too dull a gem.

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 gentil Idolatría,

               Beauteous Idolatry,

 reina en mi imperio, y en el alma mía,

               Queen of my kingdom, dearer queen to me,

 en hora feliz vengas

               Thrice welcome be the hour

 a la gran Babilonia, donde tengas

               That thou to Babylon's imperial bower

 en mi augusta grandeza

               Hast come; where, o'er thy royal head,

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 dosel debido a tu imperial belleza,

               My greatness a fit canopy shall spread 

 rindiéndose a tus plantas

               Presenting at thy feet

 cuantas estatuas, cuantas

               The noblest statues, the most rare conceit,

 imágenes y bultos

               By sculptor ever wrought for man to adore,

 dan holocaustos, sacrifican cultos

               Which, with whole holocausts from every shore,

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 a tu aliento bizarro

               Their fealty shall pay

 en oro, en plata, en bronce, en piedra, en barro.

               In gold, in silver, bronze, and stone, and clay.

IDOLATRIA

            Baltasar generoso,

Ido.      Great King of Babylon,

 gran rey de Babilonia poderoso,

               Generous Belshazzar, earth's most potent son,

 cuyo sagrado nombre

               Whose sacred name sublime

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 por que al olvido, por que al tiempo asombre,

               Defeats oblivion and defieth time,

 el hebreo sentido           

               Because its Hebrew sense

 le traduce tesoro que escondido

               Translated, means a hidden and immense

 estará; la feliz Idolatría,

               Unfailing treasure; She--the happy She--

 emperatriz de la mansión del día

               Empress of Day's fair house-Idolatry,

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 y reina del oriente,

               Queen of the Orient clime,

 donde joven el sol resplandeciente

               Where the young sun, resplendent and sublime,

 más admirado estuvo,

               Receives the homage first of wonderin eyes--  

 de quien la admiración principio tuvo,

               Himself the primal source of wonder and surprise--

 hoy a tu imperio viene

               She to thy kingdom comes to-day--

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 por el derecho a que a tus aras tiene,

               By right she to thy altars finds her way,

 pues desde que en abismos sepultado

               Because, when from the Flood's abysmal throes,

 del gran diluvio el mundo salió a nado,

               The World, like some great swimmer, struggling rose,

 fue este imperio el primero

               Here in this kingdom, here,

 que introdujo, político y severo,

               First polity arose, and codes severe,

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 dando y quitando leyes

               And laws commanding and remitting things    

 la humana idolatría de los reyes,

               The human fond idolatry of kings;

 y la divina luego

               Then followed after the divine,

 de los dioses en lámparas de fuego.

               With gods and votive flames at every shrine.

 Nembroth hable adorado,

               Thus Nimrod was adored;

185

 y Moloc en hogueras colocado,

               Thus Moloch, 'mid the fires that round him roared.

 pues los dos merecieron este extremo:

               Nor undeserved such heights of honor deem   

 Nembroth por ley, Moloc por Dios supremo,

               Nimrod for king was held, Moloch for god supreme.

 de donde se siguieron

               Then followed after--a stupendous sight!--

 tantos ídolos cuantos hoy se unieron

               As many idols as to-day unite

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 a estas bodas propicios,

               These bridal-rites auspicious to attend,

 pues las ven en confusos sacrificios

               For here with offerings strange, that clash or blend,

 treinta mil dioses bárbaros que adoro

               Full thirty thousand barbarous gods behold,

 en barro, en piedra, en bronce, en plata, en oro.

               In clay, in stone, in bronze, in silver, and in gold.

PENSAMIENTO

            Aquesta sí que es vida;

Pen.       Could Thought himself a happier life invent?

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 haya treinta mil dioses a quien pida

               What! thirty thousand gods all different!

 un hombre, en fin, lo que se le ofreciere,

               Man need not fear to ask whate'er he choose,

 por que éste otorgue lo que aquél no diere;

               One godwill grant what other gods refuse.   

 y no tú, que importuno

               And thou, O Judah's Son!

 tienes harto con uno,

               What canst thou hope to gain from only One

200

 que de oírlo me espanto:

               I tremble but to think of or to name?

 ¿cómo un Dios sólo puede estar en tanto

               How can one god hear each particular claim

 como tiene que hacer ?

               Among so many?

DANIEL

            Como lo sea,

Dan.                        He alone can hear,

 en más su mano universal se emplea.

               His hand it is that holds the universe, far and near.

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BALTASAR

            Habla a la hermosa Vanidad, que ha sido

Bal.    Speak to fair Vanity, until this morn  

 mi esposa, y pues las dos habéis nacido

               My only bride, and since you both were born

 de un concepto, a las dos unir procura

               Of one idea, my ambitious duty

 mi ambición: ¿Qué belleza ! ¿Qué hermosura !

               Is to unite you thus: What loveliness! What beauty!

 (Mirando a las dos, y él en medio.)

 Dame, soberbia Vanidad, los brazos.

      Let me embrace thee, haughty Vanity.

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VANIDAD

            Eternos han de ser tan dulces lazos.          

Van.        Eternal must such sweet embracements be.

IDOLATRIA

            Envidia la beldad tuya me diera

Ido.      Beauty like thine would pierce my heart like steel,

 si lo divino que envidiar tuviera.

               If the divine could aught of envy feel.

VANIDAD

            Celos tu luz me diera, por los cielos,

Van.        Splendor like thine would turn my heart to stone,

 pero la vanidad no tiene celos.

               If jealousy were a thing to Vanity known.

215

BALTASAR

            (Aparte.) Un día me amanece en otro día,

Bal.    (One day doth darken to another day,     Aside

 y entre la Vanidad e Idolatría,

               Whilst thus my trembling soul, in sweet dismay,

 la más hermosa, el alma, temerosa,

               Doubts which of these is fairer-the sweet face

 duda; porque cualquiera es más hermosa

               Of Vanity, or proud Idolatry's grace;

 cuando con el aplauso lisonjero

               For each is fair, as each fond tongue deceives me,

220

 rey me apellido, y Dios me considero.

               Or calls me king, or as a god receives me.)

IDOLATRIA

            ¿De qué te has suspendido ?

Ido.      Why art thou standing in such deep suspense?

VANIDAD

            ¿De qué te has divertido ?

Van.        What thought has seized thy mind and drawn it hence?

BALTASAR

            Tu gran beldad, ¿oh Idolatría !, me admira;

Bal.    Thy glorious beauty, O Idolatry! fires me;

 tu voz, ¿oh Vanidad !, dulce me inspira,

               Thy voice, O Vanity! whispering sweet inspires me.

225

 y así, por que divierta mi tristeza

               And thus, in order to divert my sadness,

 movido de tu aliento, y tu belleza,

               Moved by thy beauty, and thy words of gladness,

 hoy a las dos pretendo

               To-day, my grief forsaking,

 desvanecer, y enamorar, haciendo

               I wish to woo, and win ye two, thus making

 la Idolatría alarde de mis glorias,

               Idolatry be sharer of my glory,

230

 cuando la Vanidad de mis victorias.

               And Vanity proclaim my conquests' wondrous story:-

 De aquel soberbio Nabuco

                    Of that haughty King Nabuco,

 a cuyo valor, y a cuya

               To whose valorous hand triumphant,

 majestad obedecieron

               To whose majesty and splendor

 hado, poder y fortuna

               Fortune, fate, and power were subject,

235

 de aquel rayo de Caldea,

               Of that lightning of Chaldea,

 que desde la esfera suya

               Which, as from a sphere of thunder,

 flechado, Jerusalén

               Bursting, left Jerusalem

 llora su abrasada injuria.

               Weeping 'mid its fires unnumberd;

 De aquel que a cautividad

               Of that king, who captive led

240

 redujo la sangre justa

               All that was of Jewish culture,

 de Israel, transmigración

               Best of blood and birth, who still

 que hoy en Babilonia dura.

               Pine in Babylonian dungeons;

 De aquel que robó del Templo

               Of that king who, from the Temple,

 vasos y riquezas sumas,

               Golden cups and treasures plunder'd--

245

 despojo sagrado ya

               Sacred spoil which, round my throne,

 de mi majestad augusta.

               Casts a new and dazzling lustre;

 De aquel, en fin, que a los campos

               Of that king, in fine, who fed

 pació la esmeralda bruta,

               On the green grass and the stubble

 medio hombre, medio fiera,

               Of the fields, half man, half beast,

250

 monstruo de vello y de pluma

               Hair-clad as with plumes of vultures

 hijo soy, deidades bellas,

               I am son, fair deities.

 y por que le sustituya

               And to be in all things worthy

 como en el reino en la fama,

               Of my father's fame and kingdom

 como en la fama en la furia,

               Of his fame, as of his fury

255

 los altos dioses que adoro,          

               The high gods whom I adore

 de tal condición me ilustran,

               Have bestowed such noble nurture

 que no dudo que en mi pecho

               On me, that my breast, I doubt not,

 o se repita o se infunda

               Bears repeated, or redoubled,

 su espíritu, y que heredada

               His proud spirit: thus succeeding

260

 el alma, también se funda

               To his soul as heir, it worketh

 en mi cuerpo, si es que dos

               In my body, if two bodies

 pudieron vivir con una.

               Ever so with one soul flourished:--

 No el ser, pues, rey soberano

               Not to be, then, Sovereign King

 de cuanto el Tigris circunda,

               Of the lands that with their currents

265

 de cuanto el Éufrates baña

               Tigris or Euphrates bathes,

 y de cuanto el sol alumbra

               Or the sun in his effulgence

 por tantas provincias, que

               Lights-those numerous lands which he

 a sólo verlas madruga,

               Rises early from his slumbers

 por que no se cumpla el día

               But to see--that so his task

270

 sin que la tarde se cumpla

               May be over ere the sunset--

 la sed de tanta ambición,

               Can the thirst of my ambition

 o satisface, o apura,

               Satisfy or well keep under,

 y sólo me desvanece,

               Nothing can do that, I feel,

 o sea valor, o locura,

               Be it madness or presumption,

275

 tener sobre aquestos montes

               Until I o'er all these mountains

 jurisdicción absoluta,

               Am sole ruler or usurper.

 porque éstos son de Senar

               'Tis the region of Senaar,

 aquella campaña dura

               'Tis that rude and rigorous country,

 que entre la tierra y el cielo

               Which beheld, 'twixt heaven and earth,

280

 vio tan estupenda lucha,

               That stupendous strife and struggle

 cuando los hombres osados,

               When the pride of daring men

 con valor y sin cordura,

               Boldly, but with little judgment,

 armaron contra los dioses

               Built, to counteract the gods,

 fábricas, que al sol encumbran.

               Towers that soared sublimely sunward.

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 Y para que sepas tú,

              And that thou, O Vanity!

 Vanidad, de cuánto triunfas;

               Mayest thy triumph know still further,

 y cuánto tú, Idolatría,

               Thine, too, O Idolatry!

 vienes a mandar, escucha:

               Listen, and be mute with wonder.

 Estaba el mundo gozando

               Calmly was the world enjoying,

290

 en tranquila edad segura

               In its first primeval summer,

 la pompa de su armonía,

               The sweet harmony of being,

 la paz de su compostura,

               The repose of perfect structure;

 considerando entre sí

               Thinking, in its inner thought,

 que de una masa confusa

               How from out a mass so troubled,

295

 que ha llamado la poesía

               Which, by poesy, is called

 caos, y nada la escritura,

               Chaos, and by Scripture Nothing,

 salió a ver la faz serena

               Was evolved the face serene

 de esa azul campaña pura

               Of this azure field unsullied

 del cielo, desenvolviendo

               Of pure sky, extracting thus,

300

 con lid rigurosa y dura          

               In a hard and rigorous combat,

 de las luces y las sombras,

               From its lights and from its shadows,

 la unidad con que se aúnan

               The soft blending that resulteth,

 de la tierra, y de las aguas,

               From the earth and from the waters,

 el nudo con que se anudan,

               The elaborate knot that couples,

305

 dividiendo y apartando

               By dividing and disparting,

 las cosas, que cada una

               Things which--each one taken asunder--

 son un mucho de por sí,

               Form a separate something so,

 y eran nada todas juntas

               But when all are joined, are nothing:--

 consideraba, que halló

               She considered how the earth,

310

 la tierra que antes inculta

               Though till then a wild uncultured

 e informe estuvo, cubierta

               Waste it lay, grew bright with flowers,

 de flores, que la dibujan,

               Painted of a thousand colors;

 el vago viento poblado

               How the vacant air was peopled

 de las aves que le cruzan;

               With the blithe birds' flight and flutter,

315

 el agua hermosa, habitada

               How the silver sea grew brighter,

 de los peces que la surcan;

               As the fish clove through its surges;

 y el fuego, con esas dos

               How the fire, its torches twain,

 antorchas, el sol y luna,

               Sun and moon, with fresh flames furnished,

 lámparas del día y la noche,

               Day and nights'undying lamps,

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 ya solar y ya nocturna,

               Night and day forever burning.

 que se halló, en fin, con el hombre,

               Finally, she thought of Man,

 que es de las bellas criaturas

               Who of all His glorious works here

 que Dios, por mayor milagro,

               God has fashioned like himself,

 hizo a semejanza suya;

               As Creation's crowning wonder:--

325

 con esta hermosura vana,

               Vain of such transcendent beauty,

 no hay ley a que le reduzca;

               All restraint she soon trod under,

 tan antiguo es en el mundo

               Since for Beauty to be vain,

 el ser vana la hermosura;

               Is as ancient as the world is.

 vano y hermoso, en efecto,

               Vain and beautiful in truth,

330

 eterna mansión se juzga,

               An eternal home she judged it,

 sin parecerle que haya

               Not perceiving that for crimes,

 por castigo de sus culpas

               Such as those that she indulged in,

 guardado un universal

               Was reserved a universal

 diluvio, que le destruya;

               Deluge for her sure destruction.

335

 y con esta confianza

               In this fatal confidence,

 en solos vicios se ocupan

               Vicious men alone consulted

 los hombres, mal poseídos

               Their own passions; sin-possessed,

 de la soberbia y la gula,

               They to gluttony were subject;

 de la avaricia y la ira,

               They to avarice, anger, lust,

340

 de la pereza y lujuria.

               They to pride and self-indulgence.

 Enojados, pues, los dioses,

               Growing angry then, the gods,

 a quien nada hay que se encubra,

               From whom nothing can be curtained,

 trataron de deshacer

               Counsel took to destroy the world,

 el mundo, como a su hechura,

               Which to make had cost such trouble.

345

 no a diluvios, pues de rayos          

               Not red deluges of lightnings,

 se vio la cólera suya

               Forged and falling from heaven's furnace,

 fiada a incendios si de agua,

               Worked their wrath; but flames of water--

 porque la majestad suma

               Since, of gods, the sire and sovereign,

 tal vez con nieve culmina

               Often thunders with the snow-fall--

350

 y tal vez con fuego inunda.

               Often with the fire inundates:

 Cubrióse el cielo de nubes

               Covered thick was Heaven with clouds,

 densas, opacas y turbias,

               Dense, opaque, and dark, and turbid,

 que como estaba enojado,

               For though angry, that it might

 por no revocar la justa

               Not revoke the absolute justness

355

 sentencia, no quiso ver

               Of the world's dread sentence, wished

 de su venganza sañuda

               Not to see the rigorous fullness

 su mismo rigor; y así,

               Of its own revenge; and thus

 entre tinieblas se oculta,

               Hid itself in clouds and thunder--

 entre nubes se enmaraña,

               Wrapped itself in robes of darkness--

360

 porque a un Dios, con ser Dios, busca

               For even God, being God, oft suffers,

 para mostrar su rigor,

               When His wrath He most exhibits,

 ocasión, si no disculpa;

               Slight excuses, to o'ercome it.

 el principio fue un rocío

               First began a dew as soft

 de los que a la aurora enjuga

               As those tears the golden sunrise

365

 con cendales de oro el sol;

               Kisseth from Aurora's lids;

 luego, una apacible lluvia

               Then a gentle rain, as dulcet

 de las que a la tierra dan

               As those showers the green earth drinks

 el riego con que se pula;

               In the early days of summer;

 luego fueron lanzas de agua,

               From the clouds then water-lances,

370

 que nubes y montes junta,

               Darting at the mountains struck them,

 teniendo el cuenco en los montes

               In the clouds their sharp points shimmer'd--

 cuando en las nubes las puntas;

               On the mountains rang their butt-ends;

 luego fueron desatados

               Then the rivulets were loosened,

 arroyos, creció la furia;

               Roused to madness, ran their currents--

375

 luego fueron ríos; luego

               Rose to rushing rivers--then

 mares de mares: ¿oh suma

               Swelled to seas of seas:--O Summit

 sabiduría ! Tú sabes

               Of all Wisdom! Thou alone

 los castigos que procuras;

               Knowest how Thy hand can punish!

 bebiendo sin sed el orbe,

               Drinking without thirst, the globe

380

 hecho balsas y lagunas,

               Made lagoons and lakes unnumber'd,

 padeció tormenta de agua

               Then a mighty sea-storm rushed

 por bocas, y por roturas

               Through the rents and rocky ruptures,

 los bostezos de la tierra,

               By whose mouths the great earth yawns,

 que por entreabiertas grutas

               When its breath resounds and rumbles

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 suspiran; cerrado ya

               From internal caves. The air,

 en prisión ciega y oscura,

               In a prison dark and murky,

 tuvieron al aire; y él

               Now was held, which lower air,

 que por dónde salir busca,

               When it sought to reach the upper

 brama encerrado; y al fiero

               Roared confined--the palpitation

390

 latido que dentro pulsa,          

               Of its fierce internal pulses

 las montañas se estremecen

               Making the great hills to shake,

 y los peñascos caducan.

               And the mighty rocks to tumble.

 Aquese freno de arena

               The strong bridle of the sand,

 que para a raya la furia

               Which the furious onset curbeth

395

 de ese marino caballo,

               Of the white horse of the sea

 siempre argentado de espuma,

               With its foam-face silver fronted,

 le soltó todas las riendas,

               Loosened every curbing rein,

 y él desbocado procura,

               So that the great steed, exulting,

 corriendo alentado siempre,

               Rushed upon the prostrate shore,

400

 no parar, cobarde, nunca.

               With loud neighing, to o'errun it.

 Las fieras, desalojadas

               The scared wild beasts, dispossessed

 de sus estancias incultas,

               Of the savage caves that nursed them,

 ya en las regiones del aire,

               Flying to air-piercing peaks,

 no es mucho que se presuman

               Might have thought, with slight presumption,

405

 aves; las aves nadando,

               They were birds. The birds, too, swimming,

 no es mucho que se introduzcan

               Might have thought some power had turned them

 a ser peces, y los peces

               Into fishes; and the fishes,

 viviendo las espeluncas,

               Seeing earth's great caves and culverts,

 no es mucho que piensen ser

               Might have thought themselves transformed

410

 fieras, por que se confundan

               Into land-beasts; for so jumbled

 las especies; de manera

               Was each separate species, that

 que en la deshecha fortuna,

               In this moment of convulsion

 entre dos aguas, que así

               --Twixt two waters, as we say

 se dice que está el que duda,

               Of a man in doubt and trouble--

415

 el pez, el bruto y el ave,

               The poor bird, and beast, and fish

 discurran sin que discurran

               Roamed disconsolate and discursive,

 dónde tiene su mansión

               Seeking where skin, scale, and plume

 la piel, la escama y la pluma.

               Might some sheltering home discover.

 Y al último paroxismo

               And at the last paroxysm,

420

 el mundo se desahucia,

               When despair's lethargic dullness

 y en fragmentos desatados

               Numbed each nerve, in mighty fragments

 se parte y se descoyunta,

               Burst the world's great frame asunder:

 y como aquel que se ahoga

               And as one, when drowning, strives,         

 a brazo partido lucha

               With convulsive arm, to struggle

425

 con las ondas, y ellas hacen

               'Mid the waves, which, at their will

 que aquí salga, allí se hunda;

               Raise or sink him like the plummet,

 así el mundo, agonizando

               Thus the World, in life's last throes,

 entre sus ansias, se ayuda.

               Struggled so, and so was worsted.

 Aquí un edificio postra,

               Here a palace was prostrated,

430

 allí descubre una punta,

               There was hid a peak's proud summit,

 hasta que rendido ya,

               Until utterly o'erwhelmed

 entre lástimas y angustias,

               Amid groans and dying murmurs,

 de cuarenta codos de agua

               To the depth of forty cubits,

 no hay parte que no se cubra,

               Water every portion covered

435

 siendo a su inmenso cadáver           

               Tomb too small for corse so great,

 todo el mar pequeña tumba.

               Was the ocean it lay under.

 Cuarenta auroras a mal

               Forty sunless mornings rose,

 echó el sol, porque se enlutan

               For the clouds hung dark and dusky,

 las nubes, y luz, a exequias

               Mourning the sad obsequies

440

 de esta máquina difunta.

               Of the mighty form defunct there.

 Sólo aquella primer nave

               That first saving ship alone,

 a todo embate segura,

               Safe 'gainst every wild wave's bluster,

 elevada sobre el agua,

               Borne upon the swelling sea,

 a todas partes fluctúa,

               Floated free o'er all its surface--

445

 tan vecina a las estrellas

               In such vicinage to the stars,

 y a los luceros tan junta,

               Near, so near, the day-star's lustre,

 que fue alguno su farol

               Venus was its topmast's lantern,

 y su linterna fue alguna;

               And its beacon-fire Arcturus:--

 en ésta, pues, las reliquias

               To this ship had Noe's care

450

 del mundo salvó la industria

               What remained of the world conducted,

 de Noé, depositando

               There depositing, in safety,

 todas sus especies juntas;

               Every species that earth nurtures,

 hasta que el mar, reducido

               Till the moment came, the sea,

 a la obediencia que jura,

               To its God-given laws made subject,

455

 se vio otra vez y otra vez

               Wondering, saw once more, once more,

 la tierra pálida, y mustia,

               The pale earth, now moist and musty,

 desmelenada la greña,

               With its tangled, matted hair,

 llena de grietas y arrugas,

               Full of wrinkles, cracked and crumpled,

 la faz de la luz apenas

               Lifting up its mournful face,

460

 tocada, pero no enjuta;

               Touched, but warmed not, by the sunbeams,

 asomó entre ovas y lamas

               Lifting its sad countenance,

 la disforme catadura,

               Draped with sea-weeds, dank and muddy,

 y en retórico silencio

               And in silent eloquence,

 agradecida saluda

               With a grateful heart saluting,

465

 del arco de paz la seña,

               O'er the Ark, the bow of peace,

 pajiza, leonada y rubia,

               Shining golden, green, and ruddy.--

 segundo Adán de los hombres;

               Thus men's second Adam came,

 con generación fecunda,

               And a second birth resulted

 el mundo volvió a poblar

               In the numerous living things

470

 de animales y criaturas.

               With which all the earth was furnished.

 Nembroth, hijo de Canaán,

               Nimrod, son of Canaan, heir

 que las maldiciones suyas

               Of the thrice-transmitted curses,

 heredó, estirpe en efecto

               He and his, a hateful brood,

 aborrecida e injusta;

               Full of evil and injustice,

475

 las provincias de Caldea,

               All the broad lands of Chaldea,

 con sus familias ocupa,

               With their families and sons there,

 y sus hijos, cada uno

               Occupied, their sons, of whom

 de tan disforme estatura,

               Each was of a size so bulky,

 que era un monte organizado

               As to seem a moving mountain,

480

 de miembros y de médulas.           

               Formed of members and of muscles.

 Éstos, pues, viendo que un arca

               These, then seeing that an Ark

 al mundo salvó, procuran

               Saved the world, conspired, consulted,

 con fábrica más heroica,

               With a fabric more ambitious--

 con máquina más segura,

               With a safe and surer structure--

485

 hacer contra los enojos

               How to counteract Heaven's anger,

 del cielo una fuerza cuya

               By a force so proud and stubborn,

 majestad en los diluvios

               As might, in a second deluge,

 los guarde y los restituya.

               Save, restore, and reconstruct them,

 Ya para la extensa torre

               They to make a lofty tower

490

 montes sobre montes juntan;

               Mountains upon mountains tumbled,

 y la cerviz de la tierra,

               And the proud neck of the earth,

 de tan pesada coyunda

               Bending 'neath so great a burden,

 oprimida la hacen, que

               Felt as if it needs must break

 tanta pesadumbre sufra;

               From the pressure that it suffered,

495

 bien que con el peso gima;

               So that with the weight it groaned,

 bien que con la carga cruja.

               So that with the load it shudder'd.

 Creció la máquina y crece

               Higher grew the tower, and higher

 la admiración que la ayuda

               The ambition of the workmen

 a ser dos veces mayor,

               To a double height to raise it,

500

 pues no hay gentes que no acudan

               For there were none there but further'd

 a su edificio, hasta ver

               The great work, intent to see

 que la inmensa torre suba

               The tall tower's stupendous structure--

 a ser tambico pilar,

               Straight as the Ionic column,

 a ser dórica columna,

               Strong and simple as the Tuscan,

505

 embarazo de los vientos

               A huge hindrance to the winds,

 y lisonja de la luna,

               The moon's plaything and obstructor.

 ya con la empinada frente

               Now with its imposing front

 la esfera abolla cerúlea,

               Had it the blue sky encumber'd,

 y con el cuerpo en el aire

               And its great trunk in the air,

510

 tanto estorba como abulta;

               As with shadowy night had blurrd it,

 pero en medio de esta pompa,

               When, in all the pomp and pride

 de este aplauso, esta ventura,

               Of this daring and presumption,

 le cortó el cielo los pasos,

               Heaven was pleased to stop its course,

 porque el mirar le disgusta

               For it was displeased, disgusted

515

 escalar de sus esferas

               To behold the attempt to scale

 la sagrada arquitectura;

               Heaven's high walls, by God constructed.

 y por que no por asalto

               And that, therefore, by assault

 ganarle el hombre presuma,

               Man should never gain the summit,

 quiere que en los que la labran

               It such varied forms of language

520

 tal variedad se introduzca

               Introduced among the workmen,

 de lenguas, que nadie entienda

               That not one could understand

 aun lo mismo que articula.

               Even the words himself had muttered.

 Suenan en todos a un tiempo

               Voices mingled all together

 destempladas y confusas

               Inharmoniously concurrent--

525

 voces, que el sentido humano          

               Sounds were spoken, human sense

 hasta entonces no oyó nunca;

               Ne'er before had heard or utter'd;

 ni éste sabe lo que dice,

               This one knew not what was said,

 ni aquél sabe lo que escucha;

               What he heard confused the other,

 por que de esta suerte el orden

               So that every order given

530

 o se pierda, o se confunda.

               Caused confusion, cries, and blunders.

 Setenta y dos lenguas fueron

               Two and seventy tongues were those,

 las que los hombres pronuncian

               Which these men with strange and sudden

 en un instante que tantas

               Impulse spoke--it pleasing Heaven

 quiere el cielo que se infundan

               To inspire so great a number.--

535

 en setenta y dos idiomas;

               Two and seventy dialects

 repetidos se divulga

               Echo, which each sound redoubles,

 el eco, y desesperados

               Quickly formed from every tongue;

 los hombres ya, sin que arguyan

               So that men, confused and puzzled,

 la causa, huyen de sí mismos,

               Almost rushed from their own selves--

540

 si hay alguien que de sí huya.

               That is, if one e'er so rushes.

 Cesa el asalto, por que

               And so ceased the mighty siege:

 no quede memoria alguna

               Nothing from the attempt resulted--

 de tan glorioso edificio,

               Nothing of that wondrous fabric--

 de fábrica tan augusta.

               Nothing of that glorious structure.

545

 Preñada nube a este tiempo,

               For a cloud, with storm-fire pregnant,

 para que más le confunda,

               That to a more swift destruction

 hace herida, que su vientre

               It might bring it, from its entrails

 humo exhale y fuego escupa,

               Darted flames, and smoke, and sulphur,

 siendo de su atrevimiento

               Making of the tower's high daring

550

 ella misma sepultura,

               Its own solemn tomb sepulchral--

 haciendo de sus ruïnas

               Monument, and pyre, and urn,

 pira, monumento y urna;

               Of its ruined walls constructing.

 yo, pues, viendo que mi pecho

               I, then, seeing that my breast

 la fama a Nembroth le hurta

               Even for Nimrod's glory thirsted,

555

 creo que quedar entonces

               Think that from the existing ashes

 tantas cenizas caduca

               Of the tower that so has crumbled,

 fue por que yo la acabase,

               I am he who should rebuild it.

 pues en mí a un tiempo se juntan

               Since in synchronous conjunction

 Vanidad e Idolatría

               Vanity and Idolatry

560

 con que a tantos rayos luzca.

               To this high achievement urge me:

 Pues si tú me das aliento

               Since if thou wilt give the boldness

 con que hasta el imperio suba;

               That to empire must conduct me;

 si tú me aplacas los dioses;

               If, for me, the gods thou movest--

 si tú, Vanidad, me ayudas;

               If thou, Vanity, giv'st me succor

565

 si tú, Idolatría, me amparas,

               If, Idolatry, thou dost aid me,

 ¿quién duda decir, quién duda

               Who will dare deny, distrustful,

 que atrevido, y no postrado,

               That thus, desperate and undaunted,

 tan grande promesa cumpla ?

               I so great a deed can compass?

 Y así quiero que las dos

570

 reinen en mi pecho juntas,          

 idolatra a tu belleza

               Idolizing thy proud beauty--

 y vano con tu hermosura,

              Vain of thine, too, so effulgent--

 sacrificando a tus dioses,

               Sacrificing to thy idols,

 mereciendo tus fortunas,

               Of thy favor ever trustful,

575

 adorando tus altares,

               Kneeling reverent at thy altars,

 logrando tus aventuras

               In fruition of thy fullness,

 en láminas de oro y plata,

               Upon plates of gold and silver,

 que caracteres esculpan,

               High embossed or deeply sculptured,

 vivirá mi nombre eterno

580

 a las edades futuras.

IDOLATRIA

            A tus pies verás que estoy,

Ido.           At thy feet thou'lt see me lie,