Mateo Vázquez de Leca (1542?–1591)

Translated by Sir John Bowring

YOU were a foolish, though an amorous fellow,

Leander! had you for a boat but waited,

Death and the devil might have both been cheated,

And history have been spared the pains to tell how

A silly youth was drowned.—You might have gone

Dry-footed to your mistress—and have kissed her

In nuptial joy—but no!—for driven on

By an impatient passion’s gust—you miss’d her,

And died.—A pity that!—in this our Seville,

You’ve not a notion how we cheat the devil;

And run no risk of colds, or disappointments;

True, love may graze us,—but the drowning plan

Is a mistake, which neither oil nor ointments,

Nor wit, nor wisdom, can get over, man.