TO THE FLOWERS OF HEIDELBERG he pressed the flexible petals that

he took.
Go to my country, go, O foreign
flowers,
sown by the traveler along the Carry, carry, O flowers,
road,
my love to my loved ones,
and under that blue heaven
peace to my country and its fecund
that watches over my loved ones, loam,
recount the devotion faith to its men and virtue to its
women,
the pilgrim nurses for his native
sod! health to the gracious beings
Go and say say that when dawn that dwell within the sacred
paternal home.
opened your chalices for the first
time
beside the icy Neckar, When you reach that shore,
you saw him silent beside you, deposit the kiss I gave you
thinking of her constant vernal on the wings of the wind above
clime.
that with the wind it may rove
Say that when dawn
and I may kiss all that I worship,
which steals your aroma honor and love!
was whispering playful love songs
to your young
But O you will arrive there, flowers,
sweet petals, he, too, murmured
and you will keep perhaps your
canticles of love in his native vivid hues;
tongue;
but far from your native heroic
that in the morning when the sun earth
first traces
to which you owe your life and
the topmost peak of Koenigssthul worth,
in gold
your fragrances you will lose!
and with a mild warmth raises
For fragrance is a spirit that never
to life again the valley, the glade, can forsake
the forest,
and never forgets the sky that saw
he hails that sun, still in its its birth.
dawning,
that in his country in full zenith
blazes.
And tell of that day
when he collected you along the
way
among the ruins of a feudal castle,
on the banks of the Neckar, or in a
forest nook.
Recount the words he said
as, with great care,

between the pages of a worn-out

book
THE SONG OF THE TRAVELLER Naught wìll he find but the snow
and the ruins,
Like to a leaf that is fallen and
withered, Ashes of love and the tomb of his
friends,
Tossed by the tempest from pole
unto pole ;
hus roams the pilgrim abroad Pilgrim, begone ! Nor return more
without purpose, hereafter,
Roams without love, without Stranger thou art in the land of thy
country or soul. birth ;
Following anxiously treacherous Others may sing of their love while
fortune, rejoicing,
Fortune which e 'en as he grasps at Thou once again must roam o'er
it flees ; the earth.
Vain though the hopes that his
yearning is seeking,
Pilgrim, begone ! Nor return more
Yet does the pilgrim embark on the hereafter,
seas !
Dry are the tears that a while for
thee ran ;
Ever impelled by the invisible Pilgrim, begone ! And forget thine
power, affliction,
Destined to roam from the East to Loud laughs the world at the
the West ; sorrows of man.
Oft he remembers the faces of
loved ones,
Dreams of the day when he, too,
was at rest.

Chance may assign him a tomb on

the desert,
Grant him a final asylum of peace ;
Soon by the world and his country
forgotten,
God rest his soul when his
wanderings cease !

Often the sorrowing pilgrim is

envied,
Circling the globe like a sea-gull
above ;
Little, ah, little they know what a
void
Saddens his soul by the absence of
love.

Home may the pilgrim return in the

future,
Back to his loved ones his footsteps
he bends ;
MI RETIRO the hoarse voice of the kalaw are a chorus of voices praying, a
all that I hear; lamentation that seems
Beside a spacious beach of fine and
delicate sand there is no boastful man, no to come from those who, long ago,
nuisance of a neighbor drowned in the sea.
and at the foot of a mountain
greener than a leaf, to impose himself on my mind or to
disturb my passage;
I planted my humble hut beneath a Then do the mountain ranges on
pleasant orchard, only the forests and the sea do I high reverberate;
have near.
seeking in the still serenity of the the trees stir far and wide, by a fit
woods of trembling seized;
repose to my intellect and silence The sea, the sea is everything! Its the cattle moan; the dark depths of
to my grief. sovereign mass the forest resound;
brings to me atoms of a myriad their spirits say that they are on
faraway lands; their way to the plain,
Its roof is fragile nipa; its floor is
brittle bamboo; its bright smile animates me in the summoned by the dead to a
limpid mornings; mortuary feast.
its beams and posts are rough as
rough-hewn wood can be; and when at the end of day my
faith has proven futile,
of no worth, it is certain, is my The wild night hisses, hisses,
rustic cabin; my heart echoes the sound of its confused and terrifying;
sorrow on the sands.
but on the lap of the eternal mount one sees the sea afire with flames
it slumbers of green and blue;
and night and day is lulled by the At night it is a mystery! … Its but calm is re-established with the
crooning of the sea. diaphanous element approach of dawning
is carpeted with thousands and and forthwith an intrepid little
thousands of lights that climb; fishing vessel
The overflowing brook, that from
the shadowy jungle the wandering breeze is cool, the begins to navigate the weary
firmament is brilliant, waves anew.
descends between huge bolders,
washes it with its spray, the waves narrate with many a sigh
to the mild wind
donating a current of water So pass the days of my life in my
through makeshift bamboo pipes histories that were lost in the dark obscure retreat;
night of time.
that in the silent night is melody cast out of the world where once I
and music dwelt: such is my rare
and crystalline nectar in the noon ‘Tis said they tell of the first good fortune; and Providence be
heat of the day. morning on the earth, praised for my condition:
of the first kiss with which the sun a disregarded pebble that craves
inflamed her breast, nothing but moss
If the sky is serene, meekly flows
the spring, when multitudes of beings to hide from all the treasure that in
materialized from nothing myself I bear.
strumming on its invisible zither
unceasingly; to populate the abyss and the
overhanging summits
but come the time of the rains, and I live with the remembrance of
an impetuous torrent and all the places where that those that I have loved
quickening kiss was pressed.
spills over rocks and chasms— and hear their names still spoken,
hoarse, foaming and aboil— who haunt my memory;
to hurl itself with a frenzied roaring But when the winds rage in the some already are dead, others
toward the sea. darkness of the night have long forgotten—
and the unquiet waves commence but what does it matter? I live
their agony, remembering the past
The barking of the dog, the
twittering of the birds, across the air move cries that and no one can ever take the past
terrify the spirit, away from me.
 I feel within me the ancient if now no longer as merry, if now
melancholy revive; no longer as vivid,
It is my faithful friend that never
turns against me, a thousand memories of love and now bear the superscription of
vows awaken: fidelity.
that cheers my spirit when my
spirit’s a lonesome wraith, a patio, an azotea, a beach, a leafy
bower;
that in my sleepless nights keeps You offer me, O illusions, the cup of
watch with me and prays silences and sighs, and blushes of consolation;
delight …
with me, and shares with me my you come to reawaken the years of
exile and my cabin, youthful mirth;
and, when all doubt, alone infuses A butterfly athirst for radiances hurricane, I thank you; winds of
me with faith. and colors, heaven, I thank you
dreaming of other skies and of a that in good hour suspended by
larger strife, uncertain flight
Faith do I have, and I believe the
day will shine I left, scarcely a youth, my land and to bring me down to the bosom of
my affections, my native earth.
when the Idea shall defeat brute
force as well; and vagrant everywhere, with no
qualms, with no terrors,
and after the struggle and the Beside a spacious beach of fine and
lingering agony squandered in foreign lands the delicate sand
April of my life.
a voice more eloquent and happier and at the foot of a mountain
than my own greener than a leaf,
will then know how to utter And afterwards, when I desired, a I found in my land a refuge under a
victory’s canticle. weary swallow, pleasant orchard,
to go back to the nest of those for and in its shadowy forests, serene
whom I care, tranquility,
I see the heavens shining, as
flawless and refulgent suddenly fiercely roared a violent repose to my intellect and silence
hurricane to my grief.
as in the days that saw my first
illusions start; and I found my wings broken, my
dwelling place demolished,
I feel the same breeze kissing my
autumnal brow, faith now sold to others, and ruins
everywhere.
the same that once enkindled my
fervent enthusiasm
and turned the blood ebullient Hurled upon a rock of the country I
within my youthful heart. adore;
the future ruined; no home, no
health to bring me cheer;
Across the fields and rivers of my
native town you come to me anew, dreams of
rose and gold,
perhaps has traveled the breeze
that now I breathe by chance; of my entire existence the solitary
treasure,
perhaps it will give back to me
what once I gave it: convictions of a youth that was
healthy and sincere.
the sighs and kisses of a person
idolized
and the sweet secrets of a virginal No more are you, like once, full of
romance. fire and life,
offering a thousand crowns to
immortality;
On seeing the same moon, as
silvery as before, somewhat serious I find you; and
yet your face beloved,
MY INSPIRATION
Why falls so rich a spray
of fragrance from the bowers
of the balmy flowers
upon this festive day?

Why from woods and vales

do we hear sweet measures ringing
that seem to be the singing
of a choir of nightingales?

Why in the grass below

do birds start at the wind's noises,
unleashing their honeyed voices
as they hop from bough to bough?

Why should the spring that glows

its crystalline murmur be tuning
to the zephyr's mellow crooning
as among the flowers it flows?

Why seems to me more endearing,

more fair than on other days,
the dawn's enchanting face
among red clouds appearing?

The reason, dear mother, is

they feast your day of bloom:
the rose with its perfume,
the bird with its harmonies.

And the spring that rings with

laughter
upon this joyful day
with its murmur seems to say:
"Live happily ever after!"

And from that spring in the grove

now turn to hear the first note
that from my lute I emote
to the impulse of my love.
TO THE VIRGIN MARY
Mary, sweet peace and dearest
consolation
of suffering mortal: you are the
fount whence springs
the current of solicitude that brings
unto our soil unceasing
fecundation.

From your abode, enthroned on

heaven’s height,
in mercy deign to hear my cry of
woe
and to the radiance of your mantle
draw
my voice that rises with so swift a
flight.

You are my mother, Mary, and

shall be
my life, my stronghold, my defense
most thorough;
and you shall be my guide on this
wild sea.

If vice pursues me madly on the

morrow,
if death harasses me with agony:
come to my aid and dissipate my
sorrow!
TO MY FELLOW CHILDREN

Whenever people of a country

truly love
The language which by heav'n they
were taught to use
That country also surely liberty
pursue
As does the bird which soars to
freer space above.

For language is the final judge and

referee
Upon the people in the land where
it holds sway;
In truth our human race resembles
in this way
The other living beings born in
liberty.

Whoever knows not how to love

his native tongue
Is worse than any best or evil
smelling fish.
To make our language richer ought
to be our wish
The same as any mother loves to
feed her young.

Tagalog and the Latin language are

the same
And English and Castilian and the
angels' tongue;
And God, whose watchful care o'er
all is flung,
Has given us His blessing in the
speech we calim,

Our mother tongue, like all the

highest tht we know
Had alphabet and letters of its very
own;

But these were lost -- by furious

waves were overthrown
Like bancas in the stormy sea, long
years ago.
THROUGH EDUCATION THE From savages creates heroic fame. It is a noble fully-rounded
COUNTRY RECEIVES LIGHT Education
The vital breath of prudent That gives to life its surest
Education And as the spring doth sustenance consolation.
bestow
Instills a virtue of enchanting
power; On all the plants, on bushes in the
mead, And as the mighty rock aloft may
She lifts the motherland to highest tower
station Its placid plenty goes to overflow
Above the center of the stormy
And endless dazzling glories on her And endlessly with lavish love to deep
shower. feed
In scorn of storm, or fierce
And as the zephyr's gentle The banks by which it wanders, Sou'wester's power,
exhalation gliding slow,
Or fury of the waves that raging
Revives the matrix of the fragrant Supplying beauteous nature's seep,
every need;
flower,
Until, their first mad hatred spent,
So education multiplies her gifts of So he who prudent Education doth they cower,
grace; procure
And, tired at last, subside and fall
The towering heights of honor will
With prudent hand imparts them asleep, --
to the human race. secure.
So he that takes wise Education by
the hand,
For her a mortal-man will gladly From out his lips the water, crystal Invincible shall guide the reigns of
part pure, motherland.
With all he has; will give his calm Of perfect virtue shall not cease to
repose; go.
On sapphires shall his service be
For her are born all science and all With careful doctrines of his faith engraved,
art, made sure,
A thousand honors to him by his
That brows of men with laurel fair The powers of evil he will land be granted:
enclose. overthrow,
For in their bosoms will his noble
As from the towering mountain's Like foaming waves that never long sons have saved
lofty heart endure,
Luxuriant flowers his virtue had
The purest current of the streamlet But perish on the shore at every transplanted:
flows, blow;
And by the love of goodness ever
So education without stint or And from his good example other lived,
measure gives men shall learn
The lords and governors will see
Security and peace to lands in Their upward steps toward the implanted
which she lives. heavenly paths to turn.
To endless days, the Christian
Education,
Where Education reigns on lofty Within the breast of wretched Within their noble, faith-enrapture
seat humankind nation.
Youth blossoms forth with vigor She lights the living flame of
and agility; goodness bright;

He error subjugates with solid feet, The hands of fiercest criminal doth
bind; And as in early morning we behold
And is exalted by conceptions of
nobility. And in those breasts will surely The ruby sun pour forth
pour delight resplendent rays;
She breaks the neck of vice and its
deceit; Which seek her mystic benefits to And lovely dawn her scarlet and
find, her gold,
Black crime turns pale at Her
hostility; Those souls She sets aflame with Her brilliant colors all about her
love of right. sprays;
The barbarous nations She knows
how to tame,
So skillful noble Teaching doth
unfold
To living minds the joy of virtuous
ways.
She offers our dear motherland the
light
That leads us to immortal glory's
height.
THE INTIMATE ALLIANCE His power until he proudly send
BETWEEN RELIGION AND GOOD her down
EDUCATION
Into the deep abysses of then
As the climbing ivy over lefty elm angered sea.
Creeps tortuously, together the
adornment
As the heaven’s dew the meadow
Of the verdant plain, embellishing feeds and strengthen
Each other and together growing, So that blooming flowers all the
earth
But should the kindly elm refuse its
aid Embrioder in the days of spring; so
also
The ivy would impotent and
friendless wither If Religion holy nourishes
So is Education to Religion Education with its doctrine, she
By spiritual alliance bound Shall walk in joy and generosity
Through Religion, Education gains Toward the good, and everywhere
reknown, and bestrew
Woe to the impious mind that The fragrant and luxuriant fruits of
blindly spurning virtue
The sapient teachings of religion,
this
Unpolluted fountain-head
forsakes.

As the sprout, growing from the

pompous vine,
Proudly offers us its honeyed
clusters
While the generous and loving
garment
Feeds its roots; so the fresh’ning
waters
Of celestial virtue give new life
To Education true, shedding
On it warmth and light; because of
them
The vine smells sweet and gives
delicious fruit

Without Religion, Human

Education
Is like unto a vessel struck by winds
Which, sore beset, is of its helm
deprived
By the roaring blows and buffets of
the dread
Tempestuous Boreas, who fiercely
wields
TO THE FILIPINO YOUTH The hard rock animate
Lift up your radiant brow, And your mind with great pow'r
consigned
This day, Youth of my native
strand! Transformed into immortal state
Your abounding talents show The pure mem'ry of genius great;
Resplendently and grand,
Fair hope of my Motherland! And you, who with magic brush
On canvas plain capture
Soar high, oh genius great, The varied charm of Phoebus,
And with noble thoughts fill their Loved by the divine Apelles,
mind;
And the mantle of Nature;
The honor's glorious seat,
May their virgin mind fly and find
Run ! For genius' sacred flame
More rapidly than the wind.
Awaits the artist's crowning
Spreading far and wide the fame
Descend with the pleasing light
Throughout the sphere
Of the arts and sciences to the proclaiming
plain,
With trumpet the mortal's name
Oh Youth, and break forthright
Oh, joyful, joyful day,
The links of the heavy chain
The Almighty blessed be
That your poetic genius enchain.
Who, with loving eagerness
Sends you luck and happiness.
See that in the ardent zone,
The Spaniard, where shadows
stand,
Doth offer a shining crown,
With wise and merciful hand
To the son of this Indian land.

You, who heavenward rise

On wings of your rich fantasy,
Seek in the Olympian skies
The tenderest poesy,
More sweet than divine honey;

You of heavenly harmony,

On a calm unperturbed night,
Philomel's match in melody,
That in varied symphony
Dissipate man's sorrow's blight;

You at th' impulse of your mind

EL AMOR PATRIO