A month and a half later, in December, after three years that feel like ten, I go home. Mom is no longer there and everything is different because Mom is no longer there, and because the distance between what used to and what no longer exists is insurmountable. On my first Sunday back, however, nothing can get in the way of Dad and me firing up the barbecue, and we sit in the shade of the trees, eating and drinking ice-cold beers from the cool box.
don rodrigo my first daddy
Set in Italy in year 1628, during the Spanish occupation, it was the first example of historical novel in Italian literature. Although the setting had been chosen by Manzoni with the actual intent to refer to the Austro-Hungarian domination over Northern Italy, the novel became known also because of its good descriptions of some historical events of the 17th Century, mostly the ones referring to the plague that struck Milan between 1629 and 1631.
When I started translating this poem last year (2019), I used the same number of syllables per line as the original, but I wrote my translation in blank verse. I translated fifteen stanzas before I decided that it was not worthwhile to continue with the translation. Here is how I translated the first stanza:
At the head of a large body of followers, the Cid joined the MoorishKing of Saragossa, in whose service he fought against both Moslems andChristians. It was probably during this exile that he was first calledthe Cid, an Arabic title, which means the lord. He was verysuccessful in all his battles.
Don Diego (drawing his sword [lit.putting the sword in his hand]). Finish [this outrage], and take mylife after such an insult, the first for which my race has ever hadcause to blush [lit. has seen its brow grow red].
Count. This noble courage which appears in the language you hold hasshown itself each day by your eyes; and, believing that I saw in you thehonor of Castile, my soul with pleasure was destining for you mydaughter. I know thy passion, and I am delighted to see that all itsimpulses yield to thy duty; that they have not weakened this magnanimousardor; that thy proud manliness merits my esteem; and that, desiring asa son-in-law an accomplished cavalier, I was not deceived in the choicewhich I had made. But I feel that for thee my compassion is touched. Iadmire thy courage, and I pity thy youth. Seek not to make thy firstattempt [or, maiden-stroke] fatal. Release my valor from an unequalconflict; too little honor for me would attend this victory. Inconquering without danger we triumph without glory. Men would alwaysbelieve that thou wert overpowered without an effort, and I should haveonly regret for thy death.
Don Fernando. Just heavens! Thus, then, a rash subject has so littlerespect and anxiety to please me! He insults Don Diego, and despises hisKing! He gives laws to me in the midst of my court! Brave warriorthough he be, great general though he be, I am well able [lit. I shallknow well how] to tame such a haughty spirit! Were he incarnate valor[lit. valor itself], and the god of combats, he shall see what it isnot to obey! Whatever punishment such insolence may have deserved, Iwished at first to treat it [or, him] without violence; but, since heabuses my leniency, go instantly [lit. this very day], and, whether heresists or not, secure his person. [Exit Don Alonzo.]
Don Sancho. Perhaps a little time will render him less rebellious;they came upon him still boiling with rage, on account of his quarrel.Sire, in the heat of a first impulse, so noble a heart yields withdifficulty. He sees that he has done wrong, but a soul so lofty is notso soon induced to acknowledge its fault.
Elvira. Fly rather from her sight, fly from her impetuosity; concealyour presence from her first excitement. Go! do not expose yourself tothe first impulses which the fiery indignation of her resentment maygive vent to.
Chimène. At last I see myself free, and I can, without constraint,show thee the extent of my keen sorrows; I can give vent to my sadsighs; I can unbosom to thee my soul and all my griefs. My father isdead, Elvira; and the first sword with which Rodrigo armed himself hascut his thread of life. Weep, weep, mine eyes, and dissolve yourselvesinto tears! The one half of my life [i.e. Rodrigo] has laid the other[half, i.e. my father] in the grave, and compels me to revenge, afterthis fatal blow, that which I have no more [i.e. my father] on thatwhich still remains to me [i.e. Rodrigo].
Don Diego. Mingle not sighs with my joy; let me take breath in orderto praise thee. My valor has no reason to disown thee; thou hast wellimitated it, and thy brilliant prowess causes the heroes of my race tolive again in thee! It is from them that thou descendest, it is from methat thou art sprung. Thy first combat [lit. sword-stroke] equals allof mine, and thy youth, fired with a splendid enthusiasm, by this greatproof equals [or, reaches to] my renown. Prop of mine age, and sum ofmy happiness, touch these white hairs, to which thou restorest honor!Come, kiss this cheek, and recognize the place on which was branded theinsult which thy courage effaces!
Don Rodrigo. The honor of it belongs to you. I could not do less,being sprung from you, and trained under your careful instruction[lit. cares]. I consider myself too happy [at the result], and my soulis delighted that my first combat [or, maiden-stroke] pleases him towhom I owe existence. But, amidst your gladness, be not jealous if, inmy turn, I dare to satisfy myself after you. Permit that in freedom mydespair may burst forth; enough and for too long your discourse hassoothed it. I do not repent having served you; but give me back theblessing which that [death] blow has deprived me of. My arms, in orderto serve you, battling against my passion, by this [otherwise] gloriousdeed have deprived me of my love. Say no more to me: for you I have lostall; what I owed you I have well repaid.
Chimène. Let me recover then also my enfeebled resentment; caring forhim, must I forget my own feelings [lit. myself]? They boast of him,they praise him, and my heart consents to it; my honor is mute, my dutyimpotent. Down [lit. silence], O [treacherous] love! let my resentmentexert itself [lit. act]; although he has conquered two kings, he hasslain my father! These mourning robes in which I read my misfortune arethe first-fruits which his valor has produced; andalthough others may tell of a heart so magnanimous, here all objectsspeak to me of his crime. Ye who give strength to my feelings ofresentment, veil, crape, robes, dismal ornaments, funeral garb in whichhis first victory enshrouds me, do you sustain effectually my honor inopposition to my passion, and when my love shall gain too much power,remind my spirit of my sad duty; attack, without fearing anything, atriumphant hand!
Leonora. Can you [accomplish] anything, since a dead father has notbeen able to kindle discord in their minds? For Chimène clearly shows byher behavior that hatred to-day does not cause her pursuit. She obtainsthe [privilege of a] combat, and for her champion, she accepts on themoment the first that offers. She has not recourse to those renownedknights [lit. noble hands] whom so many famous exploits render soglorious; Don Sancho suffices her, and merits her choice, because he isgoing to arm himself for the first time; she loves in this duel his wantof experience; as he is without renown, [so] is she withoutapprehension; and her readiness [to accept him], ought to make youclearly see that she seeks for a combat which her duty demands, butwhich yields her Rodrigo an easy victory, and authorizes her at lengthto seem appeased.
Don Fernando. Time has often rendered lawful that which at firstseemed impossible, without being a crime. Rodrigo has won thee, and thouart justly his. But, although his valor has by conquest obtained theeto-day, it would need that I should become the enemy of thyself-respect, to give him so soon the reward of his victory. This bridaldeferred does not break a law, which, without specifying the time,devotes thy faith to him. Take a year, if thou wilt, to dry thy tears;Rodrigo, in the mean time, must take up arms. After having vanquishedthe Moors on our borders, overthrown their plans, and repulsed theirattacks, go, carry the war even into their country, command my army,and ravage their territory. At the mere name of Cid they will tremblewith dismay. They have named thee lord! they will desire thee as theirking! But, amidst thy brilliant [lit. high] achievements, be thou toher always faithful; return, if it be possible, still more worthy ofher, and by thy great exploits acquire such renown, that it may beglorious for her to espouse thee then.
At the end of the first trial, you'll face a challenging baddie, who you must defeat in 25 turns or less. The second trial is similar, but you'll get 30 turns to best the boss at the end. In the third trial, you'll need to defeat your foe in 40 turns. Each time you win and meet the conditions, Drustan will grant you one wish from the options shown below. Pick what you like, but definitely get the weapon.
A monk on the first floor of the temple asks you to find three books in Sniflheim's Ancient Library. (You may recall there were several books the protagonist was unable to understand the first time around.) Once you've seen all three, you'll get a prompt to return to Angri-La. Completing this quest will boost Rab's Magical Might and Magical Mending stats by 50 points each, so it's worth the schlep back to this annoying puzzle dungeon. 2ff7e9595c
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