The Roses of Hercules: the Vegueta Neighbourhood

Las Palmas de Gran Canaria · Category: Literature · Subcategory: Literary fragments · Year: 1922 · Authors: Tomás Morales

The crowning work of the modernist poet Tomás Morales is Las rosas de Hércules (The Roses of Hercules). In its second part are the Poemas de la ciudad comercial (Poems of the Commercial City), which includes this poem dedicated to the Vegueta neighbourhood.

«This quiet neighbourhood, so different in every way

from the Comercio neighbourhood, is placid and smiling;

by the blue sea it has a picturesque style

just like those clear villas on the Continent.

Primitive foundation of the adventurous genius,

it shone in past times with its own splendours,

and once had a proud and warlike motto:

"La Ciudad Real" (The Royal City), of the discoverers.

The recent factory of modern noises

gradually diminishes its ancient power. 

—Between both there is a dry channel, which in winter

has its moderate illusions of a river.—

Face to face stand the vast constructions;

the two neighbourhoods have different shapes;

each with an aspect: like two vessels

from different countries joined by their bridges.

This is the silent peace; to its sleeping absence

the hoarse rumours of the feverish city do not reach;

beside the towers of the Seminary and the Audiencia

the air seems better and the sky bluer...

I prefer these serious and luminous streets

that have an indigenous flavour of something dead;

where the step that strikes the worn tiles,

the echo of other steps, legendary, awakens...

I prefer these squares, stretched out under the harsh sun,

that once acclaimed the island festivities;

where there are old churches with sleeping bells,

and granite benches, and popular fountains...

And the thought remains sweetly captive,

if before us opens its smiling doorway

some of those houses, which is like a living remnant

of that genuinely island architecture.

Oh, the Canarian house, source of emotions!

Irregularity of the wide windows,

with lintels that scratch devout inscriptions

and painted green, the Moorish shutters...

Its façade is full of superior repose,

and under the cornice festooned with ivy,

the projecting corridor of the wide balcony

with twisted shafts and stone gargoyles...

—The spirit rejoices before an empty entrance hall;

from the patio plants comes a fragrant breath;

a neglect has left the gate ajar,

like an invitation to go forward.—

Inside it will be more beautiful: there will be flowering pots

and, under the arcades, hanging planters;

there will be strong pine pillars, blackened,

supporting the galleries and loved by climbing plants.

And in the shady depth of the dark corridor,

a classic "pila" with its Chinese-style pottery,

with the spout full of coriander

and the clay basin overflowing with fresh water...

Ah, the peaceful mansion of the ancestors!

You have family light, you have sanctuary peace;

clearly imbued with inner things:

for dreaming or loving, an extraordinary refuge!

Soon your wandering grace will be a memory;

the hours will demolish such a singular countenance...

Today you are a discovery: around a corner,

a happy and unusual surprise for the passer-by.

A whole vague dream of tenderness and tale

dies sweetly with you, while at midday

the clock of Santa Ana above your roofs leaves

a leisurely slowness of elegy...

But, despite everything, oh my Vegueta!, you have

your peculiar atmosphere of provincial grace,

opposed to the innovative development and the goods

that the growth of Triana brought.

It extends and triumphs; you meditate accordingly,

and in a glow of Lineage your aureole lights up

when serenely you show, facing the vast sea

your overseas seal of a Spanish city...»

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