The Banks of Guadalquivir. Luis de Gongora (1561-1627). Spain: Guadalquivir, the River. Henry Wadsworth Longfellow, ed. 1876-79. Poems of Places: An Anthology in 31 Volumes. Spain, Portugal, Belgium, and Holland: Vols. XIV-XV

Henry Wadsworth Longfellow, ed. Poems of Places: An Anthology in 31 Volumes.
Spain, Portugal, Belgium, and Holland: Vols. XIV–XV. 1876–79.

Spain: Guadalquivir, the River

The Banks of Guadalquivir

Luis de Góngora (1561–1627)


Translated by Edward Churton I SAW at dawn a vision rare,
A maiden as the morning fair,
Who sate and dressed her golden hair
On the banks of Guadalquivir.

Her hand, as through her locks it strayed,	5
While with her ivory comb she played,
Threw the white ivory into shade,
On the banks of Guadalquivir.

What wonder? April ne’er could show
Such whiteness in the blooms that blow,	10
Where all his laughing lilies grow,
That fringe the crystal river.

The little birds in joyous throng
Sang o’er again their morning song
To that new sun; nor were they wrong	15
Such glad salute to give her:

For why? The Sun well pleased had paid
A thousand rays for one bright braid
Like those his envious glance surveyed
On the banks of Guadalquivir.	20