The Araucaniad

Canto XXVIII

[ 230 ] Canto XXVIII Glaura tells of her misfortunes, and the cause of her coming. The Araucanians assail the Spaniards in the ravine of Purén, and between them ensues a lusty battle. The enemy pillages the baggage and retires routed, but happy. Curiously I craved the knowledge Why she roamed alone that wildwood, Braver than might be excepted From gentility’s fair visage. I allayed the fright I bought her, And she breathed a sigh so touching As to melt stone hearts rebellious, Launching into soft-phrased discours: “Should I moan for tribulation, Or to Destiny be grateful For my lot? The gate is yawning Wherethrough Death may bid me welcome. If thou’dst know my tale disastrous And my sorrow strong and plaintive, Freighted with remorse infecund, Be attentive now, Ibeg thee! “Glaura am I named, engendered In a fatal hour, and daughter Of good chieftain Quilacura, Of the noble blood of Friso; Rich am I in goods and mishap, Courted, fêted, served by many For vain comeliness and lineage. Would, alack, I were a swineherd! “In my father’s house I prospered, Living as his only heiress; All his thought and bliss consisted Of indulging my least fancy. In all things my will and mandate Were obeyed as law inviolate; No content, no whim, no pleasure Was too arduous to enchant me. He whose life is free and placid Needs must live with circumspection, For the oaf who scoffs at danger Ever falls through pits imperiled, And we ofttimes see converted Gladsome lot to wails of misery, Freedom into harsh subjection. Hardships dog the trail of blessings. Fortune is unsure and varied. Scarcely with a friendly greeting Has she knocked upon our doorstep, When the unwelcome guest of evil Taints our home. We know for certain There was ne’er a boon unfollowed By its bane. Our prayers forfend it. If it comes, may it be shrunken! As I have been knifed by Hazard, I may laud her rare caresses. In a flash our glad day passes. Unto death lasts time of sadness. As it squares with our narration, Hear the plaint of a savage maiden Whom I caught within the thicket And whose garb bespake her lineage! ’Twas a girl, well-formed and buxom, With entrancing eyes, joy’s forehead, Ruddy mouth and nose perfected, Pearly teeth enchased in corals, Billowy and high of bosom, Lovely hands, round arms, and tapering, With a natural sprightly bearing That accentuated beauty. Part Two [ 231 ] “Love, anon, that envious tyrant, Slayer of ease, brought to my mansion And my country Fresolano, Youth of strength and soul intrepid, Cousin of my hapless father, And much more a friend than kinsman, Who had won his will’s affection. ’Twixt them both was no division. “As his friend, my father bade me To regale him with endearments, And naively I acceded, Striving hard to afford him pleasure; But his base, depraved designing Caused fidelity to waver. Crazed with lust, he tainted friendship On illicit paths corrupted. “Whether ’twere his contact with me Or my luckless constellation, (’Twas this latter woe more likely, Not my charms’ misjudged attractions.) To his friend he proved ungrateful, Hospitality unheeded. Loving me, he sought contrivance Whereby to release his passion. “I perceived by hints suggestive Many times his lust unfolding, And I knew his bad intention Was o’er honest bounds transgressive; But alas! In what I suffer All his agony I realize. At the gallow’s foot I falter, Checked from speaking ill of evil. “Oftentimes I found him sighing, With his dreamy eyes fixed on me. Timidly was he attempting To reveal his daring purpose, But each noxious trial I thwarted, Gravely, honorably deflected, (’Tis for impulsiveness a checkmate!) And I blighted erring fancies. “Once alone in my apartment, As I feared some brazen mischief, He before me knelt, beseeching Troubled, downcast, and discouraged, Said, whilst trembling: ‘Oh, my Glaura, Reason’s not enough, nor suffering; There’s no thread of will that’s left me To resist the power of passion. “ ‘On the first blithe day, my lady, Of my happy, prosperous advent, Love hath brought me to the boundary Of this painful life tormented; As my love of you is lethal, I would know if you accept it. If you do, I feel that nothing Can accord me greater rapture.’ “Seeing his determination Lead to disrespect and folly, I eluded him, dissembling, Showing not the slightest coyness, Saying from afar: ‘Oh scoundrel, Ingrate...