Be calm O sinuous Nile
soothe your musical waters,
slowly, slowly,
pause, and rejoice in seeing
the beauty you make fertile:
of the earth and the heavens, the Rose and Star.
For her, the Rose, sacred Nile,
had your sounding waters to
singing, singing,
in concerted harmony
your swift-moving waves will be
syllables, language, numbers, and voices.
-- Sor Juana Ines del la Cruz, Villancico 312.
The waxing Moon, how beautiful,
with grace that none can disavow,
goes, to the rhythm of the day,
gliding,
gilding,
golden hours.
-- Sor Juana Ines del la Cruz, Villancico 34.
Stars fall to the earth,
dawns rise in the skies.
Bright sunrays shine,
sweet perfumes rise,
quadrilles of jasmine,
carnations and broom,
that run,
that fly,
that strew,
that festoon,
with blossoms,
with gleams,
with roses,
with flames.
-- Sor Juana Ines del la Cruz, Villancico 37.