The Crime was in Granada
EL CRIMEN FUE EN GRANADA
by ANTONIO MACHADO
THE CRIME WAS IN GRANADA
1
He was seen, walkng between the rifles
Down a long lane
Coming out to to a cold field
Still with stars of daybreak.
They slew Federico
When the light broke
The death squad
Did not look him in the face.
All shut their eyes;
They prayed: God will not save you!
Federico fell dead-
Blood on his face and lead in his entrails
The crime was in Granada
Know this poor Granada, in his Granada
2
The Poet and Death
He was seen walking alone with Her
Without fear for her sythe
And now the sun on tower after tower hammers
On the anvil the anvil the anvil in the forge
Federico was speaking to her’
Flirting with death.She was listening
‘Because yesterday your dry palms were beating’
and you gave ice to my song, and the edge to
My tragedy of your silver sickle.
I will sing to you of the flesh you do not have
Of the eyes you lack
Of the red lips where I would kiss you….
Today as yesterday gypsy, my death
How good it is to be alone with you
In these breezes of Granada, my Granada!
3
He was seen walking…
Labour, friends
Fasion from stone and dreamd
A sepulchre for the poet
Over a fountain where the water weeps
And says eternally
The crime was in Granada, in his Granada