By two old Greek wiseacres
This truth well proved appears;
Since what in one caused laughter,
The other moved to tears.
Célebre su oposicion
Ha sido, por siglos tantos,
Sin que cúal acertó, esté
Hasta agora averiguado.
Renowned has been this contest
For ages, without fruit,
And what one age asserted
Till now is in dispute.
Antes en sus dos banderas
El mundo todo alistado,
Conforme el humor le dicta,
Sigue cada cúal su bando.
Into two lists divided
The world's opinions stand.
And as his humor leads him
Follows each one his band.
Uno dice, que de risa
Solo es digno el mundo vario;
Y otro, que sus infortunios
Son solo para llorarlos.
One says the world is worthy
Only of merriment;
Another, its distresses
Call for our loud lament.
Para todo se halla prueba
Y razon en que fundarlo;
Y no hay razon para nada,
De haber razon para tanto.
For all opinions various
Some proof or reason's brought,
And for so much there's reason
That reason is for naught.
Todos son iguales jueces
Y siendo iguales, y varios.
No hay quien pueda decidir
Cúal es lo mas acertado.