Gustavo Adolfo Bécquer's "In a dark corner of the room" (Rhyme 7)
by Frank Watson



Original Spanish
My Translation


Del salón en el ángulo oscuro,

In a dark corner of the room,
de su dueña tal vez olvidada,

perhaps forgotten by its owner,
silenciosa y cubierta de polvo

silent and covered with dust,
        veíase el arpa.

         a harp is there to see.


¡Cuánta nota dormía en sus cuerdas

And how many notes have slept in her cords,
como el pájaro duerme en las ramas,

like a bird that sleeps on a twig,
esperando la mano de nieve

awaiting the hand of snow
        que sabe arrancarlas!

         that knows to pluck it!


—¡Ay! —pensé—; ¡cuántas veces el genio

—Ah! —thought I—; how often our genius

así duerme en el fondo del alma,

sleeps this way, in the depths of the soul,
y una voz, como Lázaro, espera

awaiting a voice, like Lazarus,
que le diga: «¡Levántate y anda!».
to say, “Rise up and walk!”



All writings and translations are Copyright © by Frank Watson, also writing as "Blue Flute" (2011-2014).
Year: 
2012