SONG.
FROM THE SPANISH.
I ne’er on the border
Saw girl fair as Rosa,
The charming milk-maiden
Of sweet Finojosa.
Once making a journey
To Santa Maria
Of Calataveño,
From weary desire
Of sleep, down a valley
I strayed, where young Rosa
I saw, the milk-maiden
Of lone Finojosa.
In a pleasant green meadow,
'Midst roses and grasses,
Her herd she was tending,
With other fair lasses;
So lovely her aspect,
I could not suppose her
A simple milk-maiden
Of rude Finojosa.
I think not primroses
Have half her smile’s sweetness,
Or mild, modest beauty;
I speak with discreetness.
O had I beforehand
But known of this Rosa,
The lovely milk-maiden
Of fair Finojosa:
Her very great beauty
Had not so subdued,
Because it had left me,
To do as I would!
I have said more, O fair one,
By learning ’twas Rosa,
The charming milk-maiden
Of sweet Finojosa.
Translation of T. Roscoe. Lope de Mendoza, 1398–1458.