Classic Poem

I never saw a girl so lovely
there by the border,
as a certain cow-girl
from La Finojosa.

As I was on my way
from Calatraveno
to Santa Maria,
overcome by sleep,
on a rough ground
I lost my course,
there I saw the cow-girl
from La Finojosa.

In a green meadow
full of roses and flowers,
caring for her herd
with other shepherds,
she appeared so beautiful
I could scarcely believe
that she was a cow-girl
from La Finojosa.

I do not believe
the roses of springtime
would have been of such beauty
or anything like it
(to say it plainly),
if I had known before
of that cow-girl
from La Finojosa.

I would not look too long
at her great beauty
for fear of losing
my freedom to her.
But I said: " O, graceful! "
(to find out who she was),
" Where is the cow-girl
from La Finojosa? "

In a laughing manner,
she answered: " You are welcome;
I well understand
what you ask of me:
but she is not anxious
to love, nor does she expect it,
this cow-girl
from La Finojosa. "