Selected Poems of Rubén Darío

RubÉn DarÍo (1867–1916) was a founder of the modernismo movement in Spanish-language literature. Lysander Kemp (1920–1992) was a translator and literature professor.

• Translator’s Note by Lysander Kemp Prologue by Octavio Paz Poems Section 1. From Abrojos (Thistles)I. First, a look ... II. She wept in my arms. She was dressed all in black. III. Are you weeping? I understand. IV. When the serpent whistled ... V. That childless lady despises ... VI. What an extraordinary thing! VII. Who is a light in the street ... VIII. “What lovely little verses!” IX. Antonio, that good fellow ... X. He was a priest, so poor ... XI. You pity me, no?- XII. I would not want to see you a mother ... Section 2. From RimasI. That pallid afternoon, the sun ... II. There was a monogram ... III. The blue bird of sleep ... Section 3. From AzulSpringtime In Winter Section 4. From Prosas profanas y otros poemas (Profane Hymns and Other Poems)It Was a Gentle Air ... Sonatina Blazon The Swan Symphony in Gray Major Song of the Blood The Ear of Wheat My Soul I Seek a Form ... Section 5. From Cantos de vida y esperanza (Songs of Life and Hope)The Three Kings Cyrano in Spain Greetings to Leonardo To Roosevelt Towers of God! Poets! Song of Hope Spes Triumphal March Section 6. From Los cisnes y otros poemas (The Swans and Other Poems)For One Moment, Oh Swan ... Tropical Afternoon Nocturne (“I want to express my anguish ...”) Philosophy Leda Pity for Him Who One Day ... In the Land of Allegory Melancholy Alleluya In Autumn The Seashell Autumn Sonnet to the Marquis of Bradomin Nocturne (“You that have heard the heartbeat ...”) Thanatos Far Away Fatality Section 7. From El canto errante (The Wandering Song)Metempsychosis To Columbus Revelation TutecotzumÍ Vision Evening Eheu! Slings Nocturne (“Silence of the night ...”) Agency- Questions Section 8. From Poema del otoÑo y otros poemas (Poem of Autumn and Other Poems)Poem of Autumn Noon Evening Saint Helena of Montenegro Section 9. From Canto a la Argentina y otros poemas (Song to the Argentine and Other Poems)Song to the Argentine (fragment) Section 10. Miscellaneous Poems To Amado Nervo Knight Nicaraguan Triptych I. The Clowns II. Eros III. Earthquake The Victory of Samothrace Christmas Sonnet Pax (fragment) Paternoster to Pan Sadly, Very Sadly- Epilogue: A Speech Al AlimÓn on RubÉn DarÍo, by Federico GarcÍa Lorca and Pablo Neruda Index