Original Poem, “Que contiene una fantasia contenta con amor decente”
Translation of “Que contiene una fantasia contenta con amor decente” by Victoria Nahley
Stop, shadow of my elusive joy,
image of the charms I most desire,
beautiful illusion for whom I happily die,
sweet fiction for whom I painfully live.
If to the magnet of your graces appeal,
my heart serves like obedient steel,
why do you love flattering me
if later you will mock me, fugitive?
But don’t think you can boast, self-satisfied,
that your tyranny triumphs over me:
that though you’ve left and the narrow noose have mocked
that once encircled your fantastic form,
it matters little that you mocked my arms and breast
if you are locked in my fantasy prison.
Sor Juana Ines de la Cruz Database 