Captain Alatriste

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Captain Alatriste Page 19

by Arturo Pérez-Reverte


  Like an eagle, certain of his prey,

  But found a troth, alas! will have no weight

  When abrogated by affairs of state.

  Thus Charles learned about diplomacy:

  In the rough seas of the Spanish court

  The most dauntless pilot may be brought up short.

  As a dashing prince, similarly,

  Will not wear upon his brow the wreath

  Unless he persevere to his last breath.

  FROM THE SAME HAND

  To the Lord of La Torre de Juan Abad

  with Similes from the Lives of the Saints

  Rhymed octave

  Behind good Roch, lame supplicant,

  Behind Ignatius, chivalrous and valiant.

  Behind Dominic, in combating a Protestant,

  Behind John Chrysostom, so famously eloquent,

  Behind Jerome, in learning and Jewish cant,

  Behind Paul, the tactful and prudent,

  Finally comes Quevedo, behind even Thomas,

  And for every target, he brings his harquebus.

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  www.perez-reverte.com

 

 

 


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