Anna Crowe
english
La Cançó de la Francisqueta
Si tens ulls de malcarada,
si tens llavis de festeig;
m’has dit que eres a l’entrada,
i jo et trobo al safareig.
Ai, Francisca delicada,
et veig i no et veig!
Dius que et fa la pell rasposa
la besada de l’oreig,
que olorant l’escabellosa
ja comences el basqueig.
Ai, Francisca primorosa,
et veig i no et veig!
Si a mi m’has dat la rosella,
amb un altre feu fresseig.
Mira que duu mala estrella
això de l’aiguabarreig!
Ai, Francisca, blanca i bella,
et veig i no et veig!
Set galans per medicina,
set galans per ‘nar a passeig!
Quina mala teranyina
has triat pel teu orneig.
Ai, Francisca galta fina,
et veig i no et veig!
Amor de paraula neta
ni mentir ni somiqueig;
ai que la cintura estreta,
ai que toca ‘nar a bateig!
Ai Francisca Francisqueta,
et veig i no et veig!
From: Poesia
Audio production: Biblioteca Nacional de Catalunya
Song to Francisqueta
Your eyes look sullen, discontented,
but your lips smile winningly;
you told me you’d be at the entrance
but I found you in the laundry.
Oh Francisca, I’m tormented,
I see you, you I cannot see!
You say it makes your skin feel rough,
the gentle kissing of the breeze;
to smell that sweet, disheveling touch
brings on a dizzying unease.
Oh Francisca, you’re too much,
I see you, you I cannot see!
Though to me you gave that flower,
with another you whisper secretly.
Bad luck comes, of this be sure,
when mud and water mingle, murky.
Oh Francisca, pale and fair,
I see you, you I cannot see!
Seven charms as medicine,
seven charms out on a spree!
What a nasty web to spin
and think it might enhance your beauty.
Oh Francisca, smooth of skin,
I see you, you I cannot see!
Love for speech that’s clear and honest
without lies, tears, trickery,
oh, how elegant, my wasp-waist,
oh, a christening I must see!
Oh Francisca, Francisqueta,
I see you, you I cannot see!