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At The Tomb Of King Philip II in Seville

My God! I'm stunned by its grandeur,
I'd pay a doubloon to do it justice
in words, for who wouldn't wonder
at this famous work, such richness?
Christ alive! Each part's worth a mill
or even more, and it's such a pity
it won't last the century. O Seville,
like triumphant Rome, what a great city!
This dead man's soul, I bet you,
is even now here, taking in the view,
leaving eternal life and all its glories.
A man swaggered over saying "It's true
what you say, soldier, and who
ever says otherwise, lies."
Then, as if caught by surprise,
he pulled down his hat, checked his sword,
looked sideways, then went without a word.

English translation by Paul Archer of Al túmulo del Rey Felipe II en Sevilla by Miguel de Cervantes, the original poem appears below.

Al túmulo del Rey Felipe II en Sevilla

Voto a Dios que me espanta esta grandeza
y que diera un doblón por describilla;
porque ¿a quién no sorprende y maravilla
esta máquina insigne, esta riqueza?
Por Jesucristo vivo, cada pieza
vale más de un millón, y que es mancilla
que esto no dure un siglo, ¡oh gran Sevilla!,
Roma triunfante en ánimo y nobleza.
Apostaré que el ánima del muerto
por gozar este sitio hoy ha dejado
la gloria donde vive eternamente.
Esto oyó un valentón, y dijo: "Es cierto
cuanto dice voacé, señor soldado.
Y el que dijere lo contrario, miente."
Y luego, incontinente,
caló el chapeo, requirió la espada,
miró al soslayo, fuese, y no hubo nada.

For more translations of poems by Cervantes, go to Translations.

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