COPLAS of MANRIQUE Part 2

Monarchs, the powerful and the strong, famous in history and in song, saw, by the decrees of FATE, their kingdoms lost and their sublime race so desolate. Who is the champion,? Who is the strong? On these shall fall the hand of DEATH as heavily as when it stays beside the shepherd's breath.
Like days of old, it now little avails to know  ...  Where is the noble heir of Aragon? Where are the courtly gallantries?   ... How false and full of guile that world of betrayal saw the smile mask wore so soft! She so friendly before, now from the fated reign her fake charms are tore far away.

But it was mortal; and the breath that flamed from the hot forge of DEATH blasted during its time.
The Judgment of God is so clear! His flame raging fearfully and fierce, people quenched it in tears.
Spain, the true and gallant Master , whom most loved of all, breathe not a whisper of his pride, he on the gloomy scaffold DIED, ignoble fall!  ... What was their prosperous estate when high exalted and elate his power and pride just a hot flame? But it only was a transient gleam of light which glared at its height but grew dim and died.

Earthly desires and sensual lust are passions springing from the dust, they fade and DIE; but in the LIFE beyond the tomb, they steal the immortal spirits and doom them eternally!

O World! so few the years we live, would that LIFE of yours on earth is LIFE INDEED! Alas! our sorrows fall so fast, and our happier hour is when at last our soul is freed.   ...
The ETERNAL LIFE, beyond the sky, WEALTH CANNOT PURCHASE, nor the high and proud, ... neither the spirit corrupt with sin,  theyshall not inherit a joy so great.       ...
O DEATH, no more, no more delay; my spirit long to be at rest; the WILL of HEAVEN MY WILL SHALL BE, I bow to the divine decree, to GOD's SOVEREIGN WILL that we all shall die.   ...
As thus the dying warrior pray, without any mist or shade upon his mind; encircled by his family, watched by affection's gentle eye, so soft and kind, his SOUL DEPART from his earthly body and GOD lead it to its final repose, its final nest.       ...