NAWSA General Correspondence Troy, William H. Oct. 27, 1936, Box 100, Charlestown, Mass. My dear Miss Blackwell: Professor Bushee visited me recently and brought me one of the most pleasant surprizes I have ever received- the specially autographed copy of your book "Some Spanish- American Poets." Your kindness has left me in a rather confused state of exhilaration and I can only hope you will understand how deeply grateful I really am. About five years ago I started studying Spanish in a rather haphazard way. A chance copy of your book came into my hands I was instantly a sympathetic attitude toward the word pictures portrayed. Your work has passed this test. For some strange reason, probably ignorance of the difficulties involved, the translator of poetry is seldom given equal credit with the original author. In some respects I think he (or she) is entitled to more). He is compelled to use words that the author undoubtedly hope for their poetic value but which in the translated language may be harsh and utterly inappropriate. It is as though one were commissioned to take the material from a beautiful Chinese pagoda and erect an equally beautiful Christian temple; with the additional handicap that all the material but no more must be used. I did several short stories of Emilia Pardo Bazan for the prisons publication and you can understand why I place you attracted to the very human quality in your translations. At the time I was incapable of making comparisons between your work and the originals and I wondered if the latter could possibly be as beautiful in Spanish as you had made them in English. Now that I can sit back and compare the two I marvel at the poetry you have created. For it is solely your creation. It seems like some bit of magic un [do?] sobrenatural that you could bring out such beauty as you have done. and yet conform so faithfully to even the very rhythmic beat of the original. I know very little about the rules governing verse but have my own inflexible standards for passing judgment on what constitutes good poetry; it must be able to withstand repitition and it must evoke with Fitzgerald. It is difficult to select a "best" from so many truly lovely gems but let me list three that pulled at my very heartstrings. Ruben Dario's "A Margarita Debayle" and "Maritas y Precitos" of Gabriela Mistral. How you ever managed to capture the charm of "word sound" as in the first, is beyond me, but you certainly did. Thank you again for the happiness you have sent me through your lovely book and your equally heart-warming slogan, "Do your best and leave the rest" I am taking the liberty to send you a couple of "Mentors" with prose translations of mine. Rather shabby affairs after reading you, but they conform with your slogan. I do hope you are enjoying better health and about your business of lightening the other people's load. Very sincerely William H. Troy T Dec. 29, 1938 Box 100 Charlestown, Mass. Dear Miss Blackwell: It was very kind of you to write me such a nice letter and I am sorry I was unable to answer sooner. A second letter of yours regarding your translated poems from the Hebrew, published in the "Herald," has also reached me but unfortunately the poem itself must have been lost enroute for I have no recollection of it. In my last letter to Miss Bushee I mentioned it to her, so, of course, if it turns up I shall forward it to you. I'm afraid I must have created a very sorry impression with my dogmatic views on translating. It was merely an instance of my making a Nervo. I too like him better than Ruben Dario; the latter has only a few poems that move me deeply. Some time ago, I read "Cosas de mi tierra" the nostalgic outbursts of a Mexican exile who pours forth his love for all the earthy things of his land. Technically it may be very poor writing but few can read him without being touched to the very core, for he sings to the heart. He would be difficult to translate for, though his style is not as dialectical as Bobbie Burns, he writes of untranslatable things; charros, chinampas, marimbas, and the countless native foods. Like most people in these parlous times, I've been reading international affairs in the newspapers and current affairs in the newspapers and current magazines. The especial interest for me was the Lima Conference and the results could hardly have been any different. The Colossus of the case for good translators and perhaps a tinge of exaggeration crept in. Nevertheless, I do feel strongly on the subject and have seen several examples where the translation was an improvement over the original. I might even take some of your own work, but then you could hardly agree in deference to that old bugaboo modesty. Do you recall the line from the quest detractor of your sex? "Then modesty was declared a virtue it became very advantageous for the fool; since everyone is supposed to speak of himself as though he were one." My intention was not to lessen any glory due the creator but rather to praise the too often neglected translator. For as I still see it style or treatment, whether it be the simplicity of an "Annabel Lee" or the polished perfection of an "Ode to a Grecian Urn" is what gives the subject matter its importance. But we are in agreement on Amado North is still eyed with considerable trepidation and we will need several Franklins to make them forget one Theodore. Hull did a fine job but it must have been discouraging to him to learn of the trade pact between Italy and Uruguay signed the last day of the Conference. I'm looking forward to the New Year with considerable optimism. Recent happenings to the contrary I honestly feel that all men in here are not to be penalized as unworthy of release. At the moment a reaction of justifiable rage has set in but with the passing of time the thinking persons will realize the prisoner didn't create such conditions. Again let me thank you for your kindness in writing and forgive me if I can not answer as often as I should like. May the New Year bring you a full share of the joys you deserve. Very sincerely, William H. Troy Transcribed and reviewed by contributors participating in the By The People project at crowd.loc.gov.