The Motherland

THE MOTHERLAND
An excerpt
Emilio Jacinto

Hail, oh Motherland that I adore, love of my loves,
that nature with so many treasures lavished,
garden where more delicate and genteel are the flowers,
where rises the dawn with more beautiful colors,
where the poet contemplates delights that he has dreamt.

Greetings, oh queen of enchantment, dear Philippines,
resplendent Venus, land beloved and unequalled;
region of light, colors, poetry, fragrance, life
region of delicious fruits and harmonies, rocked
by the breeze and sweet murmurs of the sea.

Most precious and white pearl of the Orient sea,
splendid Eden of the refulgent sun;
I greet you anxiously, and ardent adoration
renders you my soul, that vehemently desires
to see you without sorrows, without the Spanish yoke.

Amidst your splendours, you sob in chain
all is freedom, and you are without freedom
to alleviate, oh Motherland, your suffering, your pains,
gladly would I give all the blood in my veins,
and sleep like so many sleep eternity.

It matters not that we suffer exile and imprisonment,
Infernal torments with savage fury
Before the sacred altar that in our hearts
Together, unblemished my passions, we hoisted you,
Vows to you soul and honor made.

If at the end of the battle, with laurels of glory
Triumphs crowns our labor and sacrifices at last,
Memory will future ages make of you;
And queen of splendours, already without stains nor dross,
Admired shall you be by people within the world’s confines.

Already in your sky the new day shines,
Breathing fortune, love and freedom,
Forget not those who fell in the shadow of the night,
For even beneath the cold and humble tomb
Happy for your happiness shall they feel.