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Sir Belianis of Greece to Don Quixote de la Mancha
I did my cutting, thrusting, hacking away, more
Than any other in a long line of valiant knights;
I was brave and bold and clever in arts of war,
Put over a hundred thousand wrongs to rights.
My deeds will live on in history
In courtly love I was gallant and skillful;
I took on giants like they meant nothing to me,
And in fighting duels I played by every rule.
I made Dame Fortune grovel at my knees
And was smart enough to grab opportunity
By the balls, make it do what I please,
I took on all comers with impunity
And was on top of my game in my heyday
But I envy your prowess, oh great Don Quixote!
English translation by Paul Archer of Miguel de Cervantes' Don Belianís De Grecia A Don Quijote De La Mancha from his novel Don Quixote, the original poem appears below. For more translations of poems by Cervantes, go to Translations.
Don Belianís De Grecia A Don Quijote De La Mancha
Rompí, corté, abollé, y dije e hice
más que en el orbe caballero andante;
fui diestro, fui valiente y arrogante,
mil agravios vengué, cien mil deshice.
Hazañas di a la fama que eternice;
fui comedido y regalado amante;
fue enano para mí todo gigante,
y al duelo en cualquier punto satisfice.
Tuve a mis pies postrada la Fortuna
y trajo del copete mi cordura
a la calva ocasión al estricote.
Mas, aunque sobre el cuerno de la luna
siempre se vio encumbrada mi ventura,
tus proezas envidio, ¡oh, gran Quijote!
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