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The Puerto Rican Literature Project The Puerto Rican Literature Project

Epigram (trans.)

Francisco Vassallo Cabrera

Translated from the Spanish by Álvarez Nieves, Alejandro

1917

Scholastic the shepherd

And his brother Peter the fat,

Went to speak to a chancellor

Not knowing he was deaf. 

“Speak louder, he’s a lieutenant.”

Said the mistress to Scholastic.

And the other said: “She lies,

ther is no military clergyman.”

“If one night Teresa,

You missed dinner, 

Come to my house and my table

You may also sit there.”

This, to his beloved girl, 

Perico once told, 

When he was most mad in love. 

What dinner could he give her?

Rights: Public domain

Epigramas

Francisco Vassallo Cabrera

1917

Escolástico el pastor

Y su hermano Pedro el gordo,

Fueron á hablar á un rector

Ignorando que era sordo.

« Háblale alto, que es teniente »

Le dijo el ama a Escolástico:

Y el otro le dijo:« miente,

No hay militar eclesiástico. »



« Si alguna noche, Teresa,

Te faltaste de cenar,

Vete á casa y á mi mesa

Te podrás también sentar. »

Esto á la chica que amaba

Perico una vez decía,

Cuando mas tronado estaba.

¿Qué tal cena la daría?

Rights: Public domain