"The Pine of Formentor" - Written by Miquel Costa i Llobera
Electus ut cedri

Tis a noble pine enthralls me; no orange tree o vernal,
nor oak e’er lived so mightly, nor olive tree so old:
in his unfading vesture endures the spring eternal;
with storms that lash the sea-line he strives with strength
[supernal,

a giant warrior bold.

No little lovelorn floweret out from his lattice peeping;
no mountain rill caresses his shadows where they sleep;
but heaven in fragrance ever his halllowed head is steeping,
and on the serried ramparts his throne exalted keeping
his fount the vasty deep.

When o’er the distant waters the new born day is stealing
among his shadowy branches no captive songsters wake;
the cry of great sea-eagles he hears sublimely pealing,
or feels the mighty pinion of soaring vulture Wheeling
his leafy mantle shake.

Not it the soil sustaining his tower of living vigour,
about the stubborn boulders his massy roots entwine:
he greets the dews and showers, chill wind and torrid rigour;
and, like the ancient prophet, the smiles of heaven transfigure
his form with life divine.

Sublime of trees! of genius the living sign and wonder,
superb above the mountains he scans the infinite:
his form fond heaven embraces, though harsh the earth

[thereunder;

and in that love he welcomes the lightning and the thunder
for glory and delight.

Ay, when through all the heavens the tempests rage uproarious,
and seems that to the surges down must his peak be hurled,
higd o’er the billows’ clamour he sings with laughter glorious,
and rears above the cloud wrack his regal head victorious,
triumphant o’er the world.

My heart, on Tree, enshrines thee; Above the base earth’s

[staining,

thy memory for evere I guard a holy sign;
steadfast to strive and conquer, in loftiest regions reigning,
from purest rays celestial new life and nurture gaining

What fate sublime is thine!

Mount, mount, aspiring spirit! the shrounding mists

[transcending;

stand fast aloft, as standeth that Pine upon the steep;
calm shalt thou view beneath thee the world’s wild seas

[contending,

and like the circling sea-birds, thy songs in joy unending
above the storm shall sweep.

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The nature and setting of Balans's home