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PATRIOTIC SONGS OF SPAIN. 



THE following specimens of Spanish Songs are offered as illustrations 

 of the popular feeling on national subjects, rather than as finished 

 productions of the modern Iberian muse. The translations are faithful 

 transcripts of the sentiments expressed by the enthusiastic authors, and 

 the spirit of the bard has been preserved as closely as an accurate and 

 concise doing into English verse would permit. The manner in which 

 the excited Spaniard pours forth his lyric rhapsody, must be an apology 

 for crude language and doubtful taste, while the noble, and frequently 

 sublime ideas which spring up amidst the weeds, demand our admiration 

 and seize upon our sympathies. In Spain, every event is the subject of 

 a song not only of one song, but of a different one in every village ; 

 and if the odes which have been chaunted during the last tumultuous 

 years of political and military struggle, were known to the literary 

 world, Spain might perhaps claim as high a place in this prolific age of 

 poetry, as her Garcilasso and Calderon obtained for her at an earlier 

 period. The two songs, here presented to the public, are taken at hazard 

 from a great variety on similar subjects, and from the dictation of 

 exiles, who have felt the enthusiasm they breathe, and who have been 

 engaged in the scenes they celebrate. 



It has been the fashion for foreigners acquainted with the Spanish 

 language, to turn their attention, almost exclusively, to what is called the 

 golden age of Spanish literature, and to exhaust their admiration on the 

 feeble, though highly-finished and Italianized, pastorals of the age of 

 Charles V. Recently, indeed, a search has been made further back, and 

 a volume of chivalric ballads has been produced, although with moderate 

 success. But, as yet, the rich mines of this present century have been 

 little explored, and few people are acquainted with the tragedies, poems, 

 and biography of Quintana, or even with the inimitable comedies of 

 Moratin ; although in Quintana's Odes on Trafalgar, and on the Invention 

 of Printing, there are as free flights of lyric poetry as may be met with 

 in the wonderful productions of our day and nation. Spain, however, 

 when she has cast off the load of tyranny and misfortune which weighs 

 her down, will introduce herself and her literature more forcibly to the 

 observation of Europe. In the meantime, these unpolished rhymes are 

 merely intended as curiosities for the inspection of a nation which has, 

 in vain, expended its inestimable blood and treasure to preserve that 

 liberty, in praise of which they abound. Of this the English reader 

 may be assured, that their sentiments are infused in the hearts' blood of 

 the rising generation of Spaniards, and that scenes are preparing which 

 will try the purity of its tint, 



CANCION PATRIOTICA. PATRIOTIC SONG. 



Cortad ninfas lauros Pluck, maidens, a crown of the green 

 De vuestro jardin, laurel tree 



Ya vuestros amantes A gift for your lovers the wreath shall 

 Guerreros decid, be. 



