An Anthology of Croatian Literature

Hanibal Lucic (1485-1553)

Hanibal Lucić (1485–1553) A native of the island of Hvar and a patrician, Lucić is best known for his drama Robinja (published posthumously in 1556 but written much earlier, The Slave Girl), which, unlike previous dramas in Croatian, is secular in its theme and rather realistic in its depiction of the difficulties of his time. He also used folk elements to adorn his otherwise Petrarchan verse. The following poem is from: Miletich, op. cit., pp. 67, 69. An Anthology of Croatian Literature 28 No Other Nymph upon This Earth No other nymph upon this earth for beauty true is e’er more praised, for all such praise has gathered been by that fair nymph who charms my heart. There will not be, nor has there been, a rival to compete with her. For beauty true is e’er more praised no other nymph upon this earth. Above her brow so clear and bright there can be seen a worthy crown of tresses which she plaited has, which in no way do envy gold. Each man is filled with such great joy when he beholds her e’er so close. There can be seen a worthy crown above her brow so clear and bright. Her brows, they are so slight and dark above the blackness of her eyes; when she does darkly glance aside, although a man be deeply grieved, such grief is all just cast away for that sweet joy which he receives. Above the blackness of her eyes her brows, they are so slight and dark. Just like a meadow in the spring her cheeks do boast of roses fair; no rose on earth did e’er before spring forth with beauty such as this. Each youth will be bereft of sense whenever she is holding court. Her cheeks do boast of roses fair just like a meadow in the spring. Hanibal Lucić 29 Beside those ruby lips of hers so far behind would coral lag; her teeth are tiny and so close, so like a perfect string of pearls. When she does utter some sweet word, you’d say that manna fell from heav’n. So far behind would coral lag beside those ruby lips of hers. Oh blessèd he who is to kiss her throat and neck so white and smooth; good fortune will embrace him sure; a life of sweetness will he live. The glowing sun will hasten not to take its place deep in the west. Her throat and neck so white and smooth oh blessèd he who is to kiss. So gently do they tremble fair, her breasts that shame both milk and snow, and on them do they fix their gaze who for their grief do seek a cure. For greater sweetness they cannot conceive were they to live fore’er. Her breasts that shame both milk and snow, so gently do they tremble fair. Her fingers are so slender, white, so round, long, straight, and unadorned; were they to weave a garland green or wreath that might so worthy be, whom would they not indeed deceive in thinking they be ivory? Her fingers are straight, unadorned, so round, long, slender, and so white. Of ladies all whoe’er they be, the queenship is awarded her, for when she does among them stroll, so fine and stately is her figure you'd say that she does lead the dance, for which she takes no pride at all. An Anthology of Croatian Literature 30 The queenship is awarded her of ladies all whoe’er they be. ’Twould be a sin should age possess such beauty as ideal as she. Oh Lord, who art above mankind, so act and work that she change not. Do not let Time disfigure her until the end of this fair world. Such beauty as ideal as she ‘twould be a sin should age possess. ...