Felicitacion

I

If Philomela with harmonious tongue

To blond Apollo, who manifests his face

Behind high hill or overhanging mountain,

Canticles sends.

II

So we as well, full of a sweet contentment,

Salute you and your very noble saint

With tender music and fraternal measures,

Dear Antonino.

III

From all your sisters and your other kin

Receive most lovingly the loving accent

That the suave warmth of love dictates to them

Placid and tender.

IV

From amorous wife and amiable Emilio

Sweetly receive an unsurpassed affection;

And may its sweetness in disaster soften

The ruder torments.

V

As the sea pilot, who so bravely fought

Tempestuous waters in the dark of night,

Gazes upon his darling vessel safe

And come to port.

VI

So, setting aside all [worldly] predilections,

Now let your eyes be lifted heavenward

To him who is the solace of all men

And loving Father.

VII

And from ourselves that in such loving accents

Salute you everywhere you celebrate,

These clamorous vivas that from the heart resound

Be pleased to accept.

Background

Felicitacion was a poem written by the Philippine National hero, Jose Rizal in 1875 during his academic stay in Ateneo de Municipal. In this poem, Rizal congratulated Antonio Lopez, his bother-in-law and husband of his sister, Narcisa, on Saint’s day. He was fourteen years old when he wrote this poem.

#Felicitacion