Page:A Handbook for Travellers in Spain - Vol 1.djvu/75

Rh portance of this kind; Palmerin de Oliva, &c., follow it. The Coronicas belong to this period. They are semi-historical narratives, in which the leading events of each reign are described.

Provençal style was introduced into Spain early in the 15th century. It became very popular owing to the patronage of Don Juan II., 1407–1454, The most important courtiers imitated the king’s example, and poems have reached us by Don Alvaro de Luna, Don Alonso de Cartagena and others. The Marquis of Villena and Macias belong to this period. Fernan Perez de Guzman wrote at this time his Livros de los claros varones de España, and Juan de Mena, an excellent poet, his Laberynto and Dialogo de los siete Pecados mortales. The last poet of the reign of Don Juan II. is the Marquis of Santillana. Several wrote late in the century: the most excellent among them being Jorge Manrique, whose Coplas on the death of his father are admirable. Novels begin at this time, generally copied from Italian models. The finest is La Celestina, written in acts like a drama, one of the best works in Spanish literature. The compilations of poems (Cancioneros) belong to this period.

Romances or ballads are the most original form of Spanish poetry. They constitute the popular epic poem, and are the most spontaneous productions of the Spanish language. They comprehend a great variety of styles. Their simple metrical form of eight-syllable lines of asonant verses became a favourite at once. A large number have reached us on every subject, and they should be read and studied by every traveller in Spain.

The revival of Literature coincides in Spain with the period of its greatest power and prosperity. The early part of the 16th century is called el Siglo de oro. An Italian influence is predominant. Castillejo keeps to the earlier style in his charming compositions: Diálogo entre el autor y su pluma, and Sermones de Amores. Boscan and Garcilaso were the first to introduce the Italian measure into Spanish verse. Some poets wrote in both these styles. Gregorio Sylvestre is among the best of them; an excellent poet, but very little known.

Garcilaso was the earliest lyrical poet, 1503–1536. His verses are pure in style, in the manner of Virgil and Horace. His life is interesting: he fought by the side of Charles V., and was killed at the assault of the fortress of Fréjus (Nice). One of his contemporaries, Hurtado de Mendoza, a soldier and statesman, popularised classical studies. His best works are the Rebellion de los Moriscos and the well-known Lazarillo de Tormes. The classical style is now universally adopted in Spain. Fray Luis de Leon was undoubtedly the best poet of this period. His ode on the Ascension and his Poema á la Virgen may certainly be reckoned among the best compositions in the language. Several poets of an inferior order belong to the 16th century. Cesina, Acuña, Figueroa, Medrano, La Torre, Mesa, and Alcazar are among the best. Their works are clever in parts, but are generally unequal. This characteristic becomes a leading feature in Spanish poetry. At