On The Death Of That Most Excellent Lady, Comments

I quote: Let Death himself feel pity, and regret that, bound by his own law, he could not spare you, and Love lament the bitter circumstance

i wonder if this poem is about the same woman as in her earlier poem, my lady? it would be interesting to find out.

I am sorry for the terrible typos in my comment! These poems were written in 17th C. *New Spain(now Mexico) . Other typos are more obvious, and due to tiny keys/spell checker errors.

After watching a Spanish language series on Sister Juana Inez de La Cruz, I *had* to look up her poetry! This one is so beautiful to me since losing someone very close! I'm not fluent in Spanish, but grew up in New Mexico, traveled in Spain, and studied languages/diction for singing at the New England Conservatory. Poor speaker that I am, the English translations bother even me. This one seems as good as can be, but poetry (like opera lyrics translations) so often: choose inferior words, force words to another line, and even stray from actual meaning- all in an effort to rhyme! The original rhythm and rhyme can never be duplicated in such different languages as English or German (though this one's admirable at conveying meaning) . I simply wish for a literal word for word translation. Does anyone know where one can find that? These poems were written in 17th C. Spain, and words often aquire new meanings over four or five centuries! Recently, I saw one if this poet's titkes changed ti Love's Rip-cord(sp?) (as pulled on a parachute, & cute but not the Spanish swords at all) . All the translations make me wonder if that's one reason people say this poet was a lesbian, because people of both sexes often expressed great love for others (of their gender) w/o physical context in previous times? It isn't done much today, as it would immediately be misunderstood...

A wonderful poem depicting the death of someone in a very poignant manner.. However, I wonder how many of us can actually LIVE in such a way that when we die DEATH has to shed tears for us..

Very serene and poignant poem. Death takes away all the mortal remains which once were the cynosure of the loved ones. You have beautifully portrayed the scene. Thanks. now weeping is all those eyes could ever do.

Absolutely amazing I heart the poem! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! !

This is wonderful! I can't wait to read more of your poems!

Glowing tribute to the memory of the most excellent Lady paid by the poetess. Enjoyed reading. Thanks for sharing.8 points.

It just didn't resonate with me- I reread several times but it still didn't get into my heart. Hopefully it is just a matter of the impact getting lost in translation.

.........beautiful tribute and very nicely penned ★