This wonder, this marvel
This wonder, this marvel,
which the deceitful fantasy
Basilisk or Asp believes it to be,
is an error of understanding:
Since if one considers it carefully,
the Divine Providence
is rewarding your eloquence
in this monster that you see,
its greatness is your virtue
and your knowledge the crown.
Translated by David Herman.
Credits
Isabel Enríquez, “Este asombro, este portento (This wonder, this marvel)” (Poem, Amsterdam, ca. 1670). Published in: Harm den Boer, La Literatura Sefardí de Amsterdam (Alcalá de Henares: Instituto Internacional de Estudios Sefardíes y Andalusíes, Universidad de Alcalá, 1996), 140.
Published in: The Posen Library of Jewish Culture and Civilization, vol. 5.
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