You might like to look over the chapters on the various peoples of Spain in
Andrew Borde's _Fyrst Boke of the Introduction of Knowledge_ (1542). It's not
pretty material, but it is (partly) in verse. There is a fun bit about English
distaste for Catalonian fish, and a recognition of the importance of
international trade to Andalucia. In general, however, Borde portrays Spain
as an impoverished and barren land.
It is perhaps this lack of productivity that Googe uses as a contrast for his
encomium to England in his sonnet "Going toward Spain" (1563). (His "Coming
Homeward out of Spain" is more a prayer for safe passage than a commentary on
Spain).
Best
Martin
Quoting Susanne Woods <[log in to unmask]>:
> This March I am visiting the University of Cordoba, representing our
> liberal arts college consortium that is located there, and they have
> asked me to give a scholarly talk (in English!). I thought English
> poems about Golden Age Spain would be a fun topic.
>
> So: I'd be grateful for some help in putting together a short list of
> 16th-c. English poetry about Spain. I know the obvious, such as
> Wyatt's "Tagus Farewell" and the antics of Grantorto, but hope some
> of you may think of lyrics with Spanish references or narratives that
> deal with relations with Spain (e.g. Ralegh on the Cadiz expedition,
> though that's prose).
>
> Many thanks,
>
> Susanne
>
>
> --
> ********************
>
> Susanne Woods
> Provost and Professor of English
> Wheaton College
> Norton, MA 02766
>
> 508-286-8212
> [log in to unmask]
>
|