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SHE PREFERS TO DIE RATHER THAN TO EXPOSE HERSELF TO THE AFFRONT OF OLD AGE

Celia saw a rose which in the field
its self-indulgent pomp gaily displayed
and with its scarlet lipstick, crimson rouge
its delicate visage joyfully bathed;

and she said, "Go enjoy, not fearing Fate,
the brief course that your graceful youth obeys,
for death that comes tomorrow never can
take from you what you have enjoyed today;

and even though death nears so rapidly
and your sweet-scented life is on the wane,
don't rue your death, so fair and young foretold:

for your experience advises you
that it's good luck to die while beautiful
and see not the affront of being old."

autógrafo

Sor Juana Inés de la Cruz
Translation by Alix Ingber


Titulado también MUESTRA SE DEBE ESCOGER ANTES MORIR QUE EXPONERSE A LOS ULTRAJES DE LA VEJEZ.


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Incluido en Versos profanos. Grijalbo Mondadori S.A. 1998.