| Samuel Waddington, comp. The Sonnets of Europe. 1888. | | | | La Vida es Sueno | | By Lope de Vega (1562–1562) |
| | Translated by Charles Tomlinson
IF we’re conceived in sin and born in pain; | |
| If life ’s a battle, and death ends the fray, | |
| And man becomes a clod, to worms a prey, | |
| After the worms but dust and air remain; | |
| If nothing ’s left, and nothing ’s all his gain, | 5 |
| Beauty a flower, ambition tyrant’s sway, | |
| Glory and fame but empty thoughts alway, | |
| And every thought of intellect but vain;— | |
| If but to drown why travel on this sea? | |
| Why should we pass our lives in endless strife? | 10 |
| Why think of aught but how we may be free? | |
| What use is honour or distinguished life, | |
| Or fame, when to Oblivion we must flee? | |
| Why build when Fate stands by with cruel knife? | | | | |
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