Masterpieces of Catalan Poetry: From Medieval to Romantic Eras

Ausias March: "Even as One Who is Near Death"

This poem by Ausias March is part of the "Lily Among Thorns" cycle. The poet compares his intense love for the lady to the dangers a man faces in a full storm. In this particular case, the lady's love is within reach, yet she is not gracious about it; her revenge will be to boast to everyone about her pride.

• Composed of 8-verse decasyllabic stanzas with crossed rhymes (creu-creuada).
• It begins with a comparison that serves to quantify the desperate pain the poet now feels.

We also find another poem in the "Lily Among Thorns" cycle where the poet expresses his misfortune in not seeing his love requited.

Cerverí de Girona: "Do Not Take the Wrong Husband"

Cerverí de Girona, a 13th-century poet, is considered the last Catalan troubadour.

• This poem describes the misfortunes of a poorly chosen marriage.
• The poem is composed of 1 initial cobla and 6 coblas with a refrain (2-verse refrains and consonant heptasyllabic rhymes, plus a travel section).

Anselm Turmeda: "Praise of Money"

Anselm Turmeda, a 14th-century author. The central theme of this poem is the pervasive power of money.

• Poem composed of nine four-line stanzas: three octosyllabic lines and one tetrasyllabic line, following the rhyme scheme: 8A/8A/8A/4b.

Joan Roís de Corella: "Ballad of the Heron and the Merlin"

Joan Roís de Corella, 15th century. This ballad depicts two birds singing, symbolizing a desire for love that mirrors the feelings between the poet and the lady.

• The first ten verses feature crossed decasyllabic rhymes.
• The second part of the poem is a direct declaration of love.

Francesc Vicent Garcia: "Lady with Black Hair"

Francesc Vicent Garcia, 17th century. This poem is a hymn to a beautiful lady who has captivated the poet. The contrast of white skin and dark hair is implied.

• Features feminine rhyme.
• A sonnet with decasyllabic verses following the rhyme scheme: 10A/10B/10B/10A/ABBA/CDE CDE.

Bonaventura Carles Aribau: "The Homeland"

Bonaventura Carles Aribau, 19th century. This poem was written in Madrid for Gaspar de Remisa, a banker. It was published in the newspaper "El Vapor".

• It is a song of longing and exaltation for the Catalan language.
• Considered the first Romantic poem in Catalan literature, it is a poem of circumstances.
• Composed of at least six coblas, each with 8 Alexandrine verses (hemistichs) and crossed rhymes: ABBA ACCA.

Jordi de Sant Jordi: "Prisoner"

Jordi de Sant Jordi, from Valencia, 15th century, was a knight of King Alfonso V of Aragon.

• Composed of 8-verse decasyllabic coplas.
• Features chained consonant rhyme (ABABCDCD).