The Hidalgo

It is so sweet to play

with songs and with hearts

and with serious war!

When the moon's gleam shines,

it draws me from my room

through the squares and streets;

For Love I am always

ready, just as I am for battle.

The fair ladies of Seville

with their fans and mantillas

gaze along the river;

they listen with pleasure

when my songs peal forth

to the strums of the mandoline.

And dark roses fall

to me in gratitude from the balconies.

I carry, when I sing,

the zither and the sword

of Toledo steel.

I sing at many grilles,

and sneer at many knights

many times with my bold song;

my zither is for the ladies,

my sword for my rival.

Off then, to adventure!

already the sun's fire has gone out;

it is on the other side of the mountains.

The twilight hours of moon-lit night

will bring tidings of love,

will bring bloody combat;

and flowers or wounds

I will bear home tomorrow.