Untitled Trova by Luiz Otávio (in Portuguese)

Às vezes o mar bravio

dá-nos lição engenhosa:

afunda um grande navio,

deixa boiar uma rosa!

Untitled Trova by Unknown Writer (in Portuguese)

Fui-me confessar ao Carmo,

Confessei que andava amando;

Deram-me por penitencia…

Que fosse continuando.

"Second Rule of the Friars Minor" by St. Francis of Assisi (translated into English)

SECOND RULE OF THE FRIARS MINOR.

1.—In the Name of the Lord begins the life of the Minor Brothers.

            The Rule and life of the Minor Brothers is this, namely, to observe the holy Gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ, by living in obedience, without property and in chastity. Brother Francis promises obedience and reverence to the Lord Pope Honorius and to his successors canonically elected and to the Roman Church. And let the other brothers be bound to obey Brother Francis and his successors.

2.—Of those who wish to embrace this Life and how they ought to be received.

            If any wish to embrace this life and come to our brothers, let them send them to their provincial ministers, to whom alone and not to others is accorded the power of receiving brothers. But let the ministers diligently examine them regarding the Catholic faith and the Sacraments of the Church. And if they believe all these things, and if they will confess them faithfully and observe them firmly to the end, and if they have no wives, or, if they have and their wives have already entered a monastery, or have, with the authority of the diocesan bishop, given them permission after having made a vow of continence, and if the wives be of such an age that no suspicion may arise concerning them, let them [the ministers] say to them the word of the holy Gospel, that they go and sell all their goods and strive to distribute them to the poor. If they should not be able to do this, their good will suffices. And the brothers and their ministers must take care not to be solicitous about their temporal affairs, that they may freely do with their affairs whatsoever the Lord may inspire them. If, however, counsel should be required, the ministers shall have power of sending them to some God-fearing men by whose advice their goods may be distributed to the poor. Afterwards, let them give them clothes of probation, to wit, two tunics without a hood and a cord and breeches and a chaperon reaching to the cord, unless at some time the same ministers may decide otherwise according to God. The year of probation being finished, they shall be received to obedience, promising to observe always this life and rule. And according to the command of the Lord Pope in no wise shall it be allowed them to go out of this religion, because, according to the holy Gospel: "No man putting his hand to the plough and looking back is fit for the kingdom of God." And let those who have already promised obedience have one tunic with a hood, and if they wish it another without a hood. And those who are obliged by necessity may wear shoes. And let all the brothers be clothed in poor garments and they may patch them with pieces of sackcloth and other things, with the blessing of God. I admonish and exhort them not to despise or judge men whom they see clothed in fine and showy garments using dainty meats and drinks, but rather let each one judge and despise himself.

3.—Of the Divine Office, and of Fasting; and how the Brothers must go through the world.

            Let the clerics perform the Divine Office according to the order of the holy Roman Church, with the exception of the Psalter; wherefore they may have breviaries. But let the laics say twenty-four Paternosters for Matins; five for Lauds; for Prime, Tierce, Sext and Nones,—for each of these, seven; for Vespers, however, twelve, for Compline seven; and let them pray for the dead.

            And let them fast from the feast of All Saints until the Nativity of the Lord. But the holy Lent which begins from Epiphany and continues for forty days, which the Lord has consecrated by His holy fast, —may those who keep it voluntarily be blessed by the Lord and those who do not wish may not be constrained. But they must fast during the other one until the Resurrection of the Lord. At other times, however, they shall not be obliged to fast, except on Fridays. But in time of manifest necessity the brothers shall not be bound to corporal fasting.

            I indeed counsel, warn, and exhort my brothers in the Lord Jesus Christ that when they go through the world they be not litigious nor contend in words, nor judge others; but that they be gentle, peaceful, and modest, meek and humble, speaking honestly to all as is fitting. And they must not ride on horseback unless compelled by manifest necessity or infirmity. Into whatsoever house they may enter let them first say: Peace be to this house! And, according to the holy Gospel, it is lawful to eat of all foods which are set before them. 

4.—That the Brothers must not receive money.

            I strictly enjoin on all the brothers that in no wise they receive coins or money, either themselves or through an interposed person. Nevertheless, for the necessities of the sick and for clothing the other brothers, let the ministers and custodes alone take watchful care through spiritual friends, according to places and times and cold climates, as they shall see expedient in the necessity, saving always' that, as has been said, they shall not receive coins or money.

5.—Of the manner of working.

            Let those brothers to whom the Lord has given the grace of working labor faithfully and devoutly, so that in banishing idleness, the enemy of the soul, they do not extinguish the spirit of holy prayer and devotion, to which all temporal things must be subservient. They may, however, receive as the reward of their labor, the things needful for the body for themselves and their brothers, with the exception of coins or money, and that humbly, as befits the servants of God and the followers of most holy poverty.

6.—That the Brothers shall appropriate nothing to themselves: and of seeking Alms and of the Sick Brothers.

            The brothers shall appropriate nothing to themselves, neither a house nor place nor anything. And as pilgrims and strangers in this world, serving the Lord in poverty and humility, let them go confidently in quest of alms, nor ought they to be ashamed, because the Lord made Himself poor for us in this world. This, my dearest brothers, is the height of the most sublime poverty which has made you heirs and kings of the kingdom of heaven: poor in goods, but exalted in virtue. Let that be your portion, for it leads to the land of the living; cleaving to it unreservedly, my best beloved brothers, for the Name of our Lord Jesus Christ, never desire to possess anything else under heaven.

            And wheresoever the brothers are and may find themselves, let them mutually show among themselves that they are of one household. And let one make known his needs with confidence to the other, for, if a mother nourishes and loves her carnal son, how much more earnestly ought one to love and nourish his spiritual brother! And if any of them should fall into illness, the other brothers must serve him as they would wish to be served themselves.

7.—Of the Penance to be imposed on Brothers who sin.

            If any of the brothers, at the instigation of the enemy, sin mortally by those sins for which it has been ordained among the brothers that recourse should be had to the provincial ministers alone, the aforesaid brothers are bound to have recourse to them as soon as possible, without delay. But let the ministers themselves, if they are priests, impose penance on them with mercy; if however they are not priests, let them have it imposed by other priests of the Order, as it may seem to them most expedient, according to God. And they must beware lest they be angry or troubled on account of the sins of others, because anger and trouble impede charity themselves and in others.

8.—Of the Election of the Minister General of this Brotherhood, and of the Whitsun Chapter.

            All the brothers are bound always to have one of the brothers of this religion as minister general and servant of the whole brotherhood, and they are strictly bound to obey him. At his death the election of a successor must be made by the provincial ministers and custodes in the Whitsun Chapter, in which the provincial ministers are always bound to convene at the same time, wheresoever it may be appointed by the minister general, and that once in three years or at a longer or shorter interval as may be ordained by the said minister. And if at any time it should be apparent to the whole of the provincial ministers that the aforesaid minister general is not sufficient for the service and the common welfare of the brothers, let the aforesaid ministers, to whom the election has been committed, be bound to elect for themselves another as custos in the name of the Lord. But after the Whitsun Chapter the ministers and custodes may each, if they wish and it seem expedient to them, convoke their brothers to a chapter in  their custodies once in the same year.

9.—Of Preachers.

            The brothers must not preach in the diocese of any bishop when their doing so may be opposed by him. And let no one of the brothers dare to preach in any way to the people, unless he has been examined and approved by the minister general of this brotherhood, and the office of preaching conceded to him by the latter. I also warn and exhort the same brothers that in the preaching they do their words be fire-tried and pure for the utility and edification of the people, announcing to them vices and virtues, punishment and glory, with brevity of speech because the Lord made His word short upon earth.

10.—Of the Admonition and Correction of the Brothers.

            Those brothers who are ministers and servants of the other brothers, shall visit and admonish their brothers, and shall humbly and charitably correct them, not commanding them anything against their souls and our Rule. The brothers however who are subject must remember that, for God, they have renounced their own will. Wherefore I order them strictly to obey their ministers in all things which they have promised the Lord to observe and are not against their souls and our Rule. And wheresoever there are brothers who see and know that they are not able to observe the rule spiritually, they ought to and can recur to their ministers. And let the ministers receive them charitably and kindly and show so great familiarity toward them that they [the culprits] may speak and act with them as masters with their servants, for thus it ought to be, since the ministers are the servants of all the brothers.

            I also warn and exhort the brothers in the Lord Jesus Christ that they beware of all pride, vainglory, envy, covetousness, the cares and solicitudes of this world, of detraction and murmuring. Let not those who are ignorant of letters care to learn letters, but let them consider that, beyond all, they should desire to possess the spirit of the Lord and His holy operation, to pray always to Him with a pure heart and to have humility, patience in persecution and in infirmity and to love those who persecute, reprove, and accuse us, because the Lord has said: "Love your enemies . . . and pray for them that persecute and calumniate you." "Blessed are they that suffer persecution for justice’ sake, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven." "But he that shall persevere to the end, he shall be saved." 

11.—That the Brothers must not enter the Monasteries of Nuns.

            I strictly command all the brothers not to have suspicious intimacy, or conferences with women, and let none enter the monasteries of nuns except those to whom special permission has been granted by the Apostolic See. And let them not be godfathers of men or women, that scandal may not arise on this account among the brothers or concerning the brothers.

12.—Of those who go among the Saracens and other Infidels.

            Let all of the brothers who by divine inspiration desire to go amongst the Saracens or other infidels, ask leave therefor from their provincial ministers. But the ministers must give permission to go to none except to those whom they see are fitted to be sent.

            Moreover, I enjoin on the ministers, by obedience, that they ask of the Lord Pope one of the Cardinals of the holy Roman Church to be governor, protector, and corrector of this brotherhood, so that being always subject and submissive at the feet of the same holy Church, grounded in the Catholic faith, we may observe poverty and humility and the holy Gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ, which we have firmly promised.

“365 Igrejas” by Dorival Caymmi (in Portuguese)

/: 365 igrejas a Bahia tem

365 igrejas a Bahia tem

Numa eu me batizei

Na segunda eu me crismei

Na terceira eu vou casar

com a mulher que eu quero bem

Na terceira eu vou casar

com a mulher que eu quero bem :/

Se depois que eu me casar

Me nascer um bacuri

Vou me embora pra Bahia, vou.

Vou batizar no Bonfim

Mas se for me parecendo

Que os meninos vão nascendo

Por cada uma igreja que tem lá

Sou obrigado a comprar minha

Passagem pra voltar pra cá, não é....

/: 365 igrejas a Bahia tem

365 igrejas a Bahia tem

Numa eu me batizei

Na segunda eu me crismei

Na terceira eu vou casar

com a mulher que eu quero bem

Na terceira eu vou casar

com a mulher que eu quero bem :/

 “365 Igrejas” sung by Dorival Caymmi - 1946.

Untitled poem by José Thiesen (in Portuguese)

Caminho triste e só nessa estrada poeirenta
indo, como se te não procurasse, meu amor.
Passo atrás de passo, vou sozinho, co'a imagem
tua me acompanhando, fria como um cadáver.
E caminho e sigo só, na estrada poeirenta,
sem saber se já terás me visto e eu sem te ver.

"The Day that Vanished" by Dick Wood (in English)

art by Reed Crandall - The Twilight Zone #14 – Gold Key,  February 1966.

 

“Vou Me Embora Prá Passárgada” by Manoel Bandeira (in Portuguese)

Vou-me embora prá Passárgada

Lá sou amigo do rei

Lá tenho a mulher que eu quero

Na cama que escolherei

Vou-me embora prá Passárgada

Vou-me embora prá Passárgada

Aqui não sou feliz

Lá a existência é uma aventura

De tal modo inconsequente

Que Joana a Louca da Espanha

Rainha e falsa demente

Vem ser contraparente

Da nora que nunca tive

E como farei ginástica

Andarei de bicicleta

Montarei um burro babo

Subirei no pau de sebo,

Tomarei banhos de mar!

E quando estiver cansado

Deito na beirada do rio

Mando chamar a mãe d’água

Prá me contar as histórias

Que no tempo de eu menino

Rosa vinha me contar

Vou-me embora prá Passárgada

Em Passárga tem tudo

É outra civilização

Tem um processo seguro

De impedir a concepção

Tem telefone automático

Tem alcalóide à vontade

Tem prostitutas bonitas

Para a gente namorar.

E quando estiver mais triste

Mas, triste de não ter jeito

Quando de noite me der

Vontade de me matar

 Lá sou amigo do rei

Terei a mulher que eu quero

Na cama que escolherei

Vou-me embora prá Passárgada.

“The Divine Comedy” by Dante Alighieri (Inferno: Canto XVIII) (in Italian)

Inferno: Canto XVIII

Luogo e` in inferno detto Malebolge,

  tutto di pietra di color ferrigno,

  come la cerchia che dintorno il volge.

Nel dritto mezzo del campo maligno

  vaneggia un pozzo assai largo e profondo,

  di cui suo loco dicero` l'ordigno.

Quel cinghio che rimane adunque e` tondo

  tra 'l pozzo e 'l pie` de l'alta ripa dura,

  e ha distinto in dieci valli il fondo.

Quale, dove per guardia de le mura

  piu` e piu` fossi cingon li castelli,

  la parte dove son rende figura,

tale imagine quivi facean quelli;

  e come a tai fortezze da' lor sogli

  a la ripa di fuor son ponticelli,

cosi` da imo de la roccia scogli

  movien che ricidien li argini e ' fossi

  infino al pozzo che i tronca e raccogli.

In questo luogo, de la schiena scossi

  di Gerion, trovammoci; e 'l poeta

  tenne a sinistra, e io dietro mi mossi.

A la man destra vidi nova pieta,

  novo tormento e novi frustatori,

  di che la prima bolgia era repleta.

Nel fondo erano ignudi i peccatori;

  dal mezzo in qua ci venien verso 'l volto,

  di la` con noi, ma con passi maggiori,

come i Roman per l'essercito molto,

  l'anno del giubileo, su per lo ponte

  hanno a passar la gente modo colto,

che da l'un lato tutti hanno la fronte

  verso 'l castello e vanno a Santo Pietro;

  da l'altra sponda vanno verso 'l monte.

Di qua, di la`, su per lo sasso tetro

  vidi demon cornuti con gran ferze,

  che li battien crudelmente di retro.

Ahi come facean lor levar le berze

  a le prime percosse! gia` nessuno

  le seconde aspettava ne' le terze.

Mentr'io andava, li occhi miei in uno

  furo scontrati; e io si` tosto dissi:

  <<Gia` di veder costui non son digiuno>>.

Per ch'io a figurarlo i piedi affissi;

  e 'l dolce duca meco si ristette,

  e assentio ch'alquanto in dietro gissi.

E quel frustato celar si credette

  bassando 'l viso; ma poco li valse,

  ch'io dissi: <<O tu che l'occhio a terra gette,

se le fazion che porti non son false,

  Venedico se' tu Caccianemico.

  Ma che ti mena a si` pungenti salse?>>.

Ed elli a me: <<Mal volentier lo dico;

  ma sforzami la tua chiara favella,

  che mi fa sovvenir del mondo antico.

I' fui colui che la Ghisolabella

  condussi a far la voglia del marchese,

  come che suoni la sconcia novella.

E non pur io qui piango bolognese;

  anzi n'e` questo luogo tanto pieno,

  che tante lingue non son ora apprese

a dicer 'sipa' tra Savena e Reno;

  e se di cio` vuoi fede o testimonio,

  recati a mente il nostro avaro seno>>.

Cosi` parlando il percosse un demonio

  de la sua scuriada, e disse: <<Via,

  ruffian! qui non son femmine da conio>>.

I' mi raggiunsi con la scorta mia;

  poscia con pochi passi divenimmo

  la` 'v'uno scoglio de la ripa uscia.

Assai leggeramente quel salimmo;

  e volti a destra su per la sua scheggia,

  da quelle cerchie etterne ci partimmo.

Quando noi fummo la` dov'el vaneggia

  di sotto per dar passo a li sferzati,

  lo duca disse: <<Attienti, e fa che feggia

lo viso in te di quest'altri mal nati,

  ai quali ancor non vedesti la faccia

  pero` che son con noi insieme andati>>.

Del vecchio ponte guardavam la traccia

  che venia verso noi da l'altra banda,

  e che la ferza similmente scaccia.

E 'l buon maestro, sanza mia dimanda,

  mi disse: <<Guarda quel grande che vene,

  e per dolor non par lagrime spanda:

quanto aspetto reale ancor ritene!

  Quelli e` Iason, che per cuore e per senno

  li Colchi del monton privati fene.

Ello passo` per l'isola di Lenno,

  poi che l'ardite femmine spietate

  tutti li maschi loro a morte dienno.

Ivi con segni e con parole ornate

  Isifile inganno`, la giovinetta

  che prima avea tutte l'altre ingannate.

Lasciolla quivi, gravida, soletta;

  tal colpa a tal martiro lui condanna;

  e anche di Medea si fa vendetta.

Con lui sen va chi da tal parte inganna:

  e questo basti de la prima valle

  sapere e di color che 'n se' assanna>>.

Gia` eravam la` 've lo stretto calle

  con l'argine secondo s'incrocicchia,

  e fa di quello ad un altr'arco spalle.

Quindi sentimmo gente che si nicchia

  ne l'altra bolgia e che col muso scuffa,

  e se' medesma con le palme picchia.

Le ripe eran grommate d'una muffa,

  per l'alito di giu` che vi s'appasta,

  che con li occhi e col naso facea zuffa.

Lo fondo e` cupo si`, che non ci basta

  loco a veder sanza montare al dosso

  de l'arco, ove lo scoglio piu` sovrasta.

Quivi venimmo; e quindi giu` nel fosso

  vidi gente attuffata in uno sterco

  che da li uman privadi parea mosso.

E mentre ch'io la` giu` con l'occhio cerco,

  vidi un col capo si` di merda lordo,

  che non parea s'era laico o cherco.

Quei mi sgrido`: <<Perche' se' tu si` gordo

  di riguardar piu` me che li altri brutti?>>.

  E io a lui: <<Perche', se ben ricordo,

gia` t'ho veduto coi capelli asciutti,

  e se' Alessio Interminei da Lucca:

  pero` t'adocchio piu` che li altri tutti>>.

Ed elli allor, battendosi la zucca:

  <<Qua giu` m'hanno sommerso le lusinghe

  ond'io non ebbi mai la lingua stucca>>.

Appresso cio` lo duca <<Fa che pinghe>>,

  mi disse <<il viso un poco piu` avante,

  si` che la faccia ben con l'occhio attinghe

di quella sozza e scapigliata fante

  che la` si graffia con l'unghie merdose,

  e or s'accoscia e ora e` in piedi stante.

Taide e`, la puttana che rispuose

  al drudo suo quando disse "Ho io grazie

  grandi apo te?": "Anzi maravigliose!".

E quinci sien le nostre viste sazie>>.

"Sobre Aquellas Palabras" by St. Therese of Avila (in Spanish)

Ya toda me entregué y di,

y de tal suerte he trocado,

que es mi Amado para mí,

y yo soy para mi Amado.

Cuando el dulce Cazador

me tiró y dejó rendida,

en los brazos del amor

mi alma quedó caída,

y cobrando nueva vida

de tal manera he trocado,

que es mi Amado para mí,

y yo soy para mi Amado.

Hiriome con una flecha

enherbolada de amor,

y mi alma quedó hecha

una con su Criador;

ya yo no quiero otro amor,

pues a mi Dios me he entregado,

y mi Amado es para mí,

y yo soy para mi amado.

"The Ass and the Lapdog" by Aesop (in English)

   A Man had an Ass, and a Maltese Lapdog, a very great beauty. The Ass was left in a stable and had plenty of oats and hay to eat, just as any other Ass would. The Lapdog knew many tricks and was a great favorite with his master, who often fondled him and seldom went out to dine without bringing him home some tidbit to eat. The Ass, on the contrary, had much work to do in grinding the corn-mill and in carrying wood from the forest or burdens from the farm. He often lamented his own hard fate and contrasted it with the luxury and idleness of the Lapdog, till at last one day he broke his cords and halter, and galloped into his master's house, kicking up his heels without measure, and frisking and fawning as well as he could. He next tried to jump about his master as he had seen the Lapdog do, but he broke the table and smashed all the dishes upon it to atoms. He then attempted to lick his master, and jumped upon his back. The servants, hearing the strange hubbub and perceiving the danger of their master, quickly relieved him, and drove out the Ass to his stable with kicks and clubs and cuffs. The Ass, as he returned to his stall beaten nearly to death, thus lamented:  "I have brought it all on myself! Why could I not have been contented to labor with my companions, and not wish to be idle all the day like that useless little Lapdog!"

            To be satisfied with one's lot is better than

to desire something which one is not fitted to receive.

Untitled Poem by José Thiesen (in Portuguese)

Era uma vez
que não será mais.
Era uma vez
outra das histórias
tristes de que não
quero lembrar.

Era uma vez
quando topei
co'a fúlgida
luz do teu olhar
d'estrela azul.

Foi mesmo uma vez
e a estrela foi correr
pelo céu, deixando
meus olhos cegados
por sua luz brilhante.

"The Death Car" by Unknown Writer (in English)

 art by Giovanni Ticci and Alberto Giolitti- The Twilight Zone #14 – Gold Key,  Feb. 1966.

“Rosas” by Alphonsus de Guimaraens (in Portuguese)

Rosas que já fostes, desfolhadas

Por mãos também que já se foram; rosas

Suaves e tristes! Rosas que as amadas

Mortas também, beijaram suspirosas...

Umas rubras e vãs, outras fanadas,

Mas cheias do calor das amorosas...

Sois aroma de alfombra silenciosas

Onde dormiram tranças destrançadas.

Umas brancas, da cor das pobres freiras,

Outras cheias de viço e de frescura,

Rosas primeiras, rosas derradeiras!

Ai! quem melhor que vós, se a dor perdura,

Para coroar-me, rosas passageiras,

O sonho que se esvai na desventura?

“Epigrama n. 2” by Cecília Meireles (in Portuguese)

És precária e veloz, Felicidade.

Custas a vir e, quando vens, não te demoras.

Foste tu que ensinaste aos homens que havia tempo,

e, para te medir, se inventaram as horas.

Felicidade, és coisa estranha e dolorosa:

Fizeste para sempre a vida ficar triste:

Porque um dia se vê que as horas todas passam,

e um tempo despovoado e profundo, persiste.

“By The Arno” by Oscar Wilde (in English)

The oleander on the wall

Grows crimson in the dawning light,

Though the grey shadows of the night

Lie yet on Florence like a pall.

The dew is bright upon the hill,

And bright the blossoms overhead,

But ah! the grasshoppers have fled,

The little Attic song is still.

Only the leaves are gently stirred

By the soft breathing of the gale,

And in the almond-scented vale

The lonely nightingale is heard.

The day will make thee silent soon,

O nightingale sing on for love!

While yet upon the shadowy grove

Splinter the arrows of the moon.

Before across the silent lawn

In sea-green mist the morning steals,

And to love's frightened eyes reveals

The long white fingers of the dawn

Fast climbing up the eastern sky

To grasp and slay the shuddering night,

All careless of my heart's delight,

Or if the nightingale should die.

“The Ballad Of Saint Vitus” by Lord Alfred Douglas (in English)

Vitus came tripping over the grass

When all the leaves in the trees were green,

Through the green meadows he did pass

On the day he was full seventeen.

The lark was singing up over his head,

As he went by so lithe and fleet,

And the flowers danced in white and red

At the treading of his nimble feet.

His neck was as brown as the brown earth is

When first the young brown plough-boys delve it,

And his lips were as red as mulberries

And his eyes were like the soft black velvet.

His silk brown hair was touched with bronze,

And his brown cheeks had the tender hue

That like a dress the brown earth dons

When the pink carnations bloom anew.

He was slim as the reeds that sway all along

The banks of the lake, and as straight as a rush,

And as he passed he sang a song,

And his voice was as sweet as the voice of a thrush,

He sang of the Gardens of Paradise,

And the light of God that never grows dim,

And the cherubim with their radiant eyes,

And the rainbow wings of the Seraphim.

And the host as countless as all days,

That worships there, and ceases not,

Singing and praising God always,

With lute and flute and angelot.

And the blessed light of Mary's face

As she sits among these pleasant sounds,

And Christ that is the Prince of Grace,

And the five red flowers that be His wounds.

And so he went till he came to the doors

Of the ivory house of his father the King,

And all through the golden corridors,

As he passed along, he ceased to sing.

But a pagan priest had seen him pass,

And heard his voice as he went along

Through the fields of the bending grass, -

And he heard the words of the holy song.

And he sought the King where he sat on his throne,

And the tears of wrath were in his eyes,

And he said, ' O Sire, be it known

That thy son singeth in this wise ;

'Of the blessed light of Mary's face

As she sits amidst sweet pleasant sounds,

And how that Christ is the Prince of Grace,

And hath five flowers that be His wounds.'

And when the King had heard this thing,

His brow grew black as a winter night,

And he bade the pages seek and bring

Straightway the prince before his sight.

And Vitus came before the King,

And the King cried out, ' I pray thee, son,

Sing now the song that thou didst sing

When thou cam'st through the fields anon.'

And the face of the prince grew white as milk,

And he answered nought, but under the band

That held his doublet of purple silk

Round his slight waist, he thrust his hand.

And the King picked up a spear, and cried,

' What hast thou there ? by the waters of Styx,

Speak or I strike,' and the boy replied,

' Sweet Sire, it is a crucifix.' .

And the King grew black with rage and grief,

And for a full moment he spake no word.

And the spear in his right hand shook like a leaf,

And the vein on his brow was a tight blue cord.

Then he laughed and said, in bitter scorn,

' Take me this Christian fool from my sight,

Lock him in the turret till the morn,

And let him dance alone to-night.

'He shall sit in the dark while the courtly ball

All the gay night sweeps up and down

On the polished floor of the golden hall,

And thus shall he win his martyr's crown.'

Thus spake the King, and the courtiers smiled,

And Vitus hung his head for shame ;

And he thought, ' I am punished like a child,

That would have died for Christ's dear Name.'

And so 'twas done, and on that night,

While silk and sword, with fan and flower,

Danced in the hall in the golden light,

Prince Vitus sat in the lone dark tower.

But the King bethought him, and was moved,

Ere the short summer night was done,

And his heart's blood yearned for the son he loved,

His dainty prince, his only son.

And all alone he climbed the stair,

With the tired feet of a sceptred King,

And came to the door, and lo ! he was 'ware

Of the sound of flute and lute-playing.

And as the King stood there amazed,

The iron door flew open wide,

And the King fell down on his knees as he gazed

At the wondrous thing he saw inside.

For the room was filled with a soft sweet light

Of ambergris and apricot,

And round the walls were angels bright,

With lute and flute and angelot.

On lute and angelot they played,

With their gold heads bowed upon the strings,

And the soft wind that the slim flutes made,

Stirred in the feathers of their wings.

And in the midst serene and sweet

With God's light on his countenance

Was Vitus, with his gold shod feet,

Dancing in a courtly dance.

And round him were archangels four,

Michael, who guards God's citadel,

Raphael, whom children still implore,

And Gabriel and Uriel.

Thus long ago was Christ's behest,

And the saving grace that His red wounds be,

Unto this king made manifest,

And all his land of Sicily.

God sits within the highest Heaven,

His mercy neither tires nor faints,

All good gifts that may be given,

He gives unto His holy Saints.

This was the joy that Vitus gat;

To dance with Angels knee by knee,

Before he came to man's estate :

God send us all such Company.

Amen.

Untitled Poem by José Thiesen (in Portuguese)

Ao A. B. da Silveira, 

por ocasião de sua viagem a São Paulo aos 12 de Janeiro de 1997.

Já sinto no ar
assomar o adeus e
minha alma se curva
diante do espaço
de tua ausência;
na capelinha do
meu coração, a Saudade
murmura preces de volta,
no rosário dos momentos
que passamos juntos.
              * * *
Mas que os caminhos teus,
peregrino,
sejam de rosas,
somente rosas
e nada mais.