Henry Wadsworth Longfellow, ed. Poems of Places: An Anthology in 31 Volumes.
Spain, Portugal, Belgium, and Holland: Vols. XIV–XV. 1876–79.
Praise of Andalusia
By Luis de Góngora (1561–1627)Translated by Edward Churton
F
No anger blind your judgment, no disdain,
Say, can an Andalusian plead in vain,
An Andalusian sue and win no grace?
Who, when the terrace-walk at eve you pace,
Adores with humbler vow or truer pain?
Whose arm more deftly throws the tilting-cane?
Who strikes the wild bull down with braver chase?
Or in the ball, on whom do loveliest eyes
Glance radiance through the thronged and bright saloon,
If not on Andalusian gallants there?
To them true judges still award the prize,
Where gayly for the ring they ride or run,
Or in the lists of valor boldly dare.