| EL INFANTE ARNALDOS | COUNT ARNALDOS |
| Anon. 16c. | trans. James Elroy Flecker |
¡Quién hubiera tal ventura sobre las aguas del mar como hubo el infante Arnaldos la mañana de San Juan! Andando a buscar la caza para su halcón cebar, vio venir una galera que a tierra quiere llegar; las velas trae de sedas, la jarcia de oro torzal, Marinero que la guía diciendo viene un cantar que la mar ponía en calma, los vientos hace amainar, los peces que andan al hondo, arriba los hace andar, las aves que van volando al mástil vienen posar. Allí habló el infante Arnaldos, bien oiréis lo que dirá: "Por tu vida, el marinero, dígasme ora ese cantar." Respondióle el marinero, tal respuesta le fue a dar: "Yo no digo mi canción sino a quien conmigo va." | The strangest of adventures That happen by the sea, Befell to Lord Arnaldos On the Evening of Saint John; For he was out a-hunting - A huntsman bold was he! - When he beheld a little ship And close to land was she. Her cords were all of silver, Her sails of cramasy; And he who sailed the little ship Was singing at the helm; The waves stood still to hear him, The wind was soft and low; The fish who dwell in darkness Ascended through the sea, And all the birds in heaven Flew down to his mast-tree. Then spake the Lord Arnaldos, - (Well shall you hear his words!) - "Tell me, for God's sake, sailor, What song may that song be?" The sailor spake in answer, And answer thus made he: "I only tell the song to those Who sail away with me." |
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Transl. Copyright © Michael Smith 2007