Casida de la rosa

La rosa
no buscaba la aurora:
casi eterna en su ramo,
buscaba otra cosa.

La rosa,
no buscaba ni ciencia ni sombra:
confín de carne y sueño,
buscaba otra cosa.

La rosa,
no buscaba la rosa.
Inmóvil por el cielo
buscaba otra cosa.


Casida of the Rose

The rose did not seek the daybreak: almost eternal on its bough, it sought another thing.
    The rose did not seek knowledge or shade: boundary of flesh and dream, it sought another thing.
    The rose did not seek the rose. Motionless in the sky it sought another thing.

Translated by J.L. Gili
 

J.L. Gili’s selection of Lorca’s poems in Spanish, with his own unassuming prose versions as guides to the originals, first appeared in 1960. With its excellent introduction and selection it remains a perfect introductory guide to the great poet. The book is ideal for newcomers to Lorca who know, or are prepared to grapple with, a little Spanish. It influenced a generation of readers and poets, including Ted Hughes who first encountered Lorca through this book.