Mirror of Cintra by George Borrow
The Mirror of Cintra is a novel by George Borrow that tells the story of a young man named Don Juan who travels to Portugal in search of his lost love, Dona Ines. Along the way, he encounters various adventures and meets interesting characters, including a gypsy woman named Zincali and a mysterious figure known as the Mirror of Cintra. The novel is set against the backdrop of 18th-century Portugal and explores themes such as love, identity, and cultural conflict.
By George Borrow · First published 1840 · Genre: Poetry, Pastoral, Translation · 119 words
First lines
_Translated from the original Portuguese on a marble slab in the garden of Don Juan De Castro_,_ at Cintra_.
Tiny fields in charming order, Which the jagged forests border; Sheltered valleys downward wending, 'Midst the rocks to heaven ascending; Silvery fountains turbid never, Foliage dense which bloometh ever; Ceaseless Zephyrs gently playing, Satyrs, fawns by thousands straying; Nymphs, with fair bewitching faces, Form of Cintra's clime the graces.
What this Textopian page supports
Mirror of Cintra is listed on Textopian as a poem by George Borrow, dated 1840 CE.
This source record anchors work identity, reading entry points, and catalog context for checking claims about the work.
- Work type: Poem
- Author: George Borrow
- Date: 1840 CE
- Language: English
- Genres: Poetry, Pastoral, Translation, Mythology, Romanticism
- Length: 119 words
- Structure: 1 section, 2 paragraphs
- Reading fit: Fairly Difficult (10th-12th Grade)
Good citation fit
- Work identity for Mirror of Cintra by George Borrow
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Discussion starters
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Genres
- Poetry — The text is structured in verse form with rhyme and meter, characteristic of poetry.
- Pastoral — The imagery of nature, fields, forests, and mythical creatures aligns with pastoral themes.
- Translation — The text is presented as a translation from Portuguese, indicating a focus on cross-cultural literary exchange.
- Mythology — References to satyrs, fawns, and nymphs suggest elements of classical mythology.
Tags
fantasy · adventure · mythology · magic · quest · historical · cultural · exploration · narrative · folklore · supernatural · legend