To The Filipino Youth

TO THE FILIPINO YOUTH
Jose Rizal
Translated by Alfredo Veloso

Raise your unruffled brow
on this day, Filipino Youth!
Resplendent shines
Your courage rich,
handsome hope of my Motherland!

Fly, grand genius
and infuse them with noble sentiment
that vigorously rushes,
more rapid than the wind,
its virgin mind to the glorious goal.

Descend to the arena
with the pleasant light of arts and sciences,
and unbind, Youth,
the heavy chain
that fetters your poetic genius.

See that in the bright zone
where lived the shadows, the Spaniard
with pious and learned hand,
offers the son of this native land
resplendent crown.

You who ascend
on wings of your rich fantasy,
seeking from Olympus in the clouds
tenderest poetry,
sweeter than nectar and ambrosia;

You of the celestial accent,
melodious rival of the nightingale,
who with varied melodies
dissipate the mortal’s bitter pain
in the night serene;

You who animate the hand rock
with the impulse of your mind,
and with prepotent hand makes eternal
the pure memory
of the refulgent genius;

And you, who with magic brushes
are wont to transfer to simple canvas
The varied enchantment of Phoebus,
beloved of Apollo divine,
and the mantle of nature.

Run! For the sacred flame
of the genius awaits to be crowned with laurels,
spreading fame
with trumpet proclaiming
o’er the wide sphere the mortal’s name.

Day, oh happy day,
Philippine genteel, for you soil!
Bless the Almighty,
who with loving desire
sends you fortune and consolation.