She prefers to die rather than to expose herself to the affront of old age

Original Poem “Escoge antes el morir que exponerse a los ultrajes de la veejs”

Translation of “Escoge antes el morir que exponerse a los ultrajes de la veejs” by Alix Ingber

Celia saw a rose which in the field

its self-indulgent pomp gaily displayed

and with its scarlet lipstick, crimson rogue

its delicate visage joyfully bathed;

and she said, “Go enjoy, not fearing Fate,

the brief course that your graceful youth obeys,

for death that comes tomorrow never can

take from you what you have enjoyed today;

and even though death nears so rapidly

and your sweet-scented life is on the wane,

don’t rue your death, so fair and young foretold:

for your experience advises you

that it’s good luck to die while beautiful

and see not the affront of being old.”

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