CHAPTER 4THE LITERARY WORKS OF RIZAL

The inspiring poems of Rizal proved his poetical genius that reflected about his life in his childhood memories including his experiences and insights about education, religion and colonial administration of Spain in the Philippine islands. In 1874-1877, he wrote poems of varied interest and perspectives about life : (1) My First Inspiration ; (2) In Memory of My Town; (3) Through Education the Mother Receives Light; (4) Intimate Alliance between Religion; and (5) A Farewell Dialogue of the Students.

He also wrote poems that dealt with the Spanish interest such as : (1)The Heroism of Columbus; (2) Columbus and John II; (3) Great Solace in Great Misfortune; (4) The Triumphal Entry of the Catholic Monarch into Granada; (5) The Battle: Urbiztondo, Terror of Jolo; (6) The Departure: Hymn to Magellan’s Fleet; and (7) And He is Spanish Elcano, the First to Circum-navigate the World.

This chapter inspires us of know the poetical achievements of Rizal on his nationalistic insights pertaining to education and youth. In contemporary time it is best appreciated about his works and writings on his idea to his poems: To the Philippine Youth ; Through Education the Mother Receives Light; and To the Filipino Youth. In Philippine Literature the nationalistic concept is best known in his writing “ To the Philippine Youth” which was offered a prize for the best poem by a native sponsored by a society known as the Lyceum of Art and Literature in 1877.

A. The Youth and Their Education

1. Through Education Our Mother Receives Light

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This poem proved that he valued education so much that may give the power of the country to survive from any forces( barbaric actions, deceits, hostility, vices and etc.) in the struggles of societal freedom . Through education, it creates the virtue of power to human race. This gives security and peace to the motherland as the Filipinos would learn the sciences and arts as the basis to calm down the life of the society. Where education reigns pacifies the barbaric action of the nations .It may neutralized or ceased to exist on crimes and hostility including vices and deceits because of the enlightenment of mankind.

The existence of prudent education provides the tranquility to a more dignified action just the existence on the natural flow of life . Education shall give a perfect virtue of man that may overthrow the power of evils and may step on heavenly path for its good action. Likewise, education provides goodness to humanity it sheds light for those who created destruction even from the hands of fiercest criminal. Furthermore, education may always survive even from the worst storm, hatred of men, and raging waves as a consequence the motherland becomes invincible to evil forces shall be tired and fall asleep in their raging emotions.

This poem of Rizal had never thought that was applied to him heroic struggles in his later years of life. The struggle of human freedom was won because education provided the key role for thousands of men honored him. His education provided him the noble virtue that someday his country was free from the bondage of foreign oppressor. In contemporary time, education proves to be key role to produce of noble man

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that shades light for his family and country.

THROUGH EDUCATION OUR MOTHERLAND RECEIVES LIGHT

The vital breath of prudent EducationInstills a virtue of enchanting power;

She lifts the motherland to highest stationAnd endless dazzling glories on her shower.

And as the zephyr's gentle exhalationRevives the matrix of the fragrant flower,So education multiplies her gifts of grace;

With prudent hand imparts them to the human race.

For her a mortal-man will gladly partWith all he has; will give his calm repose;For her are born all science and all art,

That brows of men with laurel fair enclose.As from the towering mountain's lofty heartThe purest current of the streamlet flows,

So education without stint or measure givesSecurity and peace to lands in which she lives.

Where Education reigns on lofty seatYouth blossoms forth with vigor and agility;

He error subjugates with solid feet,And is exalted by conceptions of nobility.

She breaks the neck of vice and its deceit;Black crime turns pale at Her hostility;

The barbarous nations She knows how to tame,From savages creates heroic fame.

And as the spring doth sustenance bestowOn all the plants, on bushes in the mead,

Its placid plenty goes to overflowAnd endlessly with lavish love to feed

The banks by which it wanders, gliding slow,

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Supplying beauteous nature's every need;So he who prudent Education doth procureThe towering heights of honor will secure.

From out his lips the water, crystal pure,Of perfect virtue shall not cease to go.

With careful doctrines of his faith made sure,The powers of evil he will overthrow,

Like foaming waves that never long endure,But perish on the shore at every blow;

And from his good example other men shall learnTheir upward steps toward the heavenly paths to turn.

Within the breast of wretched humankindShe lights the living flame of goodness bright;

The hands of fiercest criminal doth bind;And in those breasts will surely pour delight

Which seek her mystic benefits to find,Those souls She sets aflame with love of right.

It is a noble fully-rounded EducationThat gives to life its surest consolation.

And as the mighty rock aloft may towerAbove the center of the stormy deep

In scorn of storm, or fierce Sou'wester's power,Or fury of the waves that raging seep,

Until, their first mad hatred spent, they cower,And, tired at last, subside and fall asleep, --

So he that takes wise Education by the hand,Invincible shall guide the reigns of motherland.

On sapphires shall his service be engraved,A thousand honors to him by his land be granted:For in their bosoms will his noble sons have saved

Luxuriant flowers his virtue had transplanted:And by the love of goodness ever lived,

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The lords and governors will see implantedTo endless days, the Christian Education,Within their noble, faith-enrapture nation.

And as in early morning we beholdThe ruby sun pour forth resplendent rays;And lovely dawn her scarlet and her gold,Her brilliant colors all about her sprays;So skillful noble Teaching doth unfold

To living minds the joy of virtuous ways.She offers our dear motherland the lightThat leads us to immortal glory's height.

1. The Intimate Alliance Between Religion and Good Education

Rizal shared his thought about the importance of education to enlighten the nation which was useful to gain societal freedom for every nation. It may also provide us the necessary knowledge, skills and attitude to expand the horizon of our thoughts. However, this would not be enough to be properly educated. Rizal thought that there was really an intimate alliance between religion and good education. A man who was properly educated needed to apply what he learned on spiritual view rather than simply on material achievements. The result of good education always fulfilled a growing uprightness and valuable virtue within the bounce of spiritual and moral dimensions. There showed also be growing dignified fulfilment and application to the teachings of religion ,just like a vine which continually grow that would someday the fruit will become sweet and delicious.

Without religion, human education may result to chaos and disorder in any civilized nation because people may no longer value freedom, respect, dignity and other good virtues that maintain societal order. It may result to a natural disaster just as the angered sea, which

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characterized the fierce winds that may, wrecked the vessel in the deep abysses. Rizal knew that religion had a profound effect to education, the educated must internalized the virtue of incorruptible life based on the ethical and moral standard of the society.

THE INTIMATE ALLIANCE BETWEEN RELIGION AND GOOD EDUCATION

As the climbing ivy over lefty elmCreeps tortuously, together the adornment

Of the verdant plain, embellishingEach other and together growing,

But should the kindly elm refuse its aidThe ivy would impotent and friendless wither

So is Education to ReligionBy spiritual alliance bound

Through Religion, Education gains reknown, andWoe to the impious mind that blindly spurning

The sapient teachings of religion, thisUnpolluted fountain-head forsakes.

As the sprout, growing from the pompous vine,Proudly offers us its honeyed clusters

While the generous and loving garmentFeeds its roots; so the fresh’ning waters

Of celestial virtue give new lifeTo Education true, shedding

On it warmth and light; because of themThe vine smells sweet and gives delicious fruit

Without Religion, Human EducationIs like unto a vessel struck by winds

Which, sore beset, is of its helm deprivedBy the roaring blows and buffets of the dread

Tempestuous Boreas, who fiercely wieldsHis power until he proudly send her downInto the deep abysses of then angered sea.

As the heaven’s dew the meadow feeds and strengthen

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So that blooming flowers all the earthEmbrioder in the days of spring; so also

If Religion holy nourishesEducation with its doctrine, sheShall walk in joy and generosity

Toward the good, and everywhere bestrewThe fragrant and luxuriant fruits of virtue

4.To the Filipino Youth

At the age of eighteen years old, he wrote a poem entitled “To the Filipino Youth” which was submitted for the poetry contest by the Manila Lyceum of Art and Literature. This was dedicated to the Filipino youth that he won the first prize, a silver pen, feather-shaped and with a gold ribbon running through it.

Rizal made this poem at the peak of the grandeur day of his life for him to experience the radiant growing intellect and wonderful life as a youth. He always wanted the youth to follow his ideals in the love their country. They could utilize the growing intellect on arts and sciences to b properly educated in their homeland .Where they trained to become wise and pious even from the shadows of the Spanish authority. Anyone of aspired for the success of life my always find the difficult and long road of sacrifices to reach the sweetness and glory of life.

TO THE FILIPINO YOUTH

Hold high your faultless brow,Filipino youth, on this day grand!

Shine forth resplendent now,In gallant glory stand,

Handsome home of my motherland!

Radiant Genius, arise!

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Make thy noblest dreams his own;Catch his mind in keen surprise;Swifter than by tempest blown

Sweep him up to glory's throne!

Descend, O youth, -- the lovely lightOf art and science in your train; --

On life's arena, smiteAnd break the heavy chain

Where long your pinioned poetry hath lain.

Behold how, on this ardent zoneWhere shadows dwell, the Spaniard's hand,

So wise and pious grown,Confers a garland grand

Upon the youth of our fair Indian land!

O you, who now aspiring riseOn fancy's gifted wings

From Mount Olympus to the skies,While Poetry more sweetly sings

Than any sweetness nectar ever brings.

Ye rivals of the nightingaleWho carol some celestial layBeneath the night moon pale,

And by the tune you playDrive bitter mortal pain away.

All ye who hold the power to freeThose sorely grieved, by your charm'd word,

And fix in their fond memory,That by your genius is stirred,

The immortal thought that ye have heard.

And ye who Phoebus' charms expose,

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That stole divine Apollo's heart;And borrowing from nature's clothes,

With artist's magic art,On linen canvas portray every part.

O hasten! See whose sacred flameOf genius will be laurel crowned;

And hear what moral name,While trumpet peals resound,

Around the whole wide world will be renowned!

O blessed day and hour,Beloved Filipinas, for your land,

Thanks to the mighty PowerWhich, with loving hand,

This venture and this consolation planned

B. Religion and Spiritual Values

The poems of Rizal were also on religion and spiritual values that present to hid life .The poems about the symbol of religious values include “To the Child Jesus”; and “To the Virgin Mary”. He cares so much about his mother. Where he wrote poem “ My First Inspiration” to show how fortunate he was because of the loving care f his mother.

His poem entitled “ To the Child Jesus” where he reflected his pity to the birth of Child Jesus. Although he was so omnipotent and powerful god of the universe may astonished the kind of life he suffered from his birth. He was always there with us to guide the true meaning of ethical life.

TO THE CHILD JESUS

How, god-child hast thou comeTo earth in cave forlorn

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Does fortune now deride theeWhen Thou art scarcely born

Ah,woe ! Celestial KingWho mortal from dost keep

Woulds’t rather than be sovereignBe sherperd of thy sheep

This was the first sad sonnet poem of Rizal entitled “To The Virgin Mary” as he provided about his deep religious belief on his painful experiences in his teenage life. His deep compassion on religion may show the love and care of the Virgin Mary. Rizal believed the power of prayer through the Virgin Mary. The sufferings, deprivations and suppressions occurred in life may be best addressed through prayer of the Virgin Mary to provide peace, love, hope and tranquillity even at the peak of human misery.

TO THE VIRGIN MARY

Dear Mary, giving comfort and sweet peaceTo all afflicted mortals; thou the spring

Whence flows a current of relief, to bringOur soil fertility that does not cease;

Upon thy throne, where thou dest reign on high,Oh, list with pity as I weeful grieve

And spread thy radiant mantle to receiveMy voice which rises swiftly to the sky

Placid Mary, thou my mother dear,My sustenance,my fortitude must be,

And in this fearsome sea my way must steer.If deprivation coemes to buffet me,

And if grim death in agony draws near,Oh, succor me. From anguish set me free.

This poem praised the care of his mother from its natal day. The inspiration of Rizal was purely devoted from the love and care of his mother. Here he described the natural beauty from fragrance and sweetness of the flowers, the flitting of the birds in the tender grass, the

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crystal spring and the feast in carmine clouds. His birth was so fortunate to have loving mother who gave her life. This was the inspiration that continually work hard to be educated and live in tranquil through the blessing and care of his mother.

MY FIRST INSPIRATION

Why do the scented bowersIn fragrant fray

Rival each other’s flowersThis festive day?

Why is sweet melody bruitedIn the sylvan dale,

Harmony sweet and flutedLike the nightingale?

Why do birds sing soIn the tender grass,

Flitting from bough to boughWith the winds that pass

And why does the crystal springRun among the flowers mother, they

While lullaby zephyrs singLike its crystal showers?

I see the dawn in the EastWith beauty endowed.

Why goes she to a feastIn a carmine cloud?

Sweet mother, they celebrateYour natal day

The rose with her scent innateThe birds with his lay

The murmurous spring this dayWithout alloy

Murmuring bids you alwaysTo live in joy

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While the crystalline mursmurs glisten,Hear you the accents strongStruck from my lyre, listen!

To my love’s first strong

He wrote, "A Farewell Dialogue of the Students" just before he graduated from the Ateneo. On March 23, 1877, not yet sixteen years old, he received the degree of Bachelor of Arts with highest honors. He never ceased to love the Ateneo. Five years after his graduation he wrote a lovely tribute to the Very Reverend Pablo Ramon, Rector of the Ateneo, on the occasion of that good Father's birthday.

TO THE VERY REVEREND FATHER PABLO RAMON, S.J., RECTOR OF ATENEO, ON HIS

BIRTHDAY

Sweet is the breeze which at the break of day,Waving the calyx of the fragrant flowers,

Scatters gentle odors everywhereAcross the field.

Sweet and mellow is the placid murmurOf the gentle brook with silver foam

Dissolving merrily between the golden sandsAnd splashing pearls.

Sweet are the songs of melodious birds;Soft the aroma of the festive flowers;

And fragrances at silver dawnAre soft and sweet.

But thy name, Father idolized,A purer sweetness in our breasts instills,

Of light extending from th' eternal splendorIts gentlest rays.

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Most loving hand of God, a fatherAnd example thou, whose sincere love,

Despite the bitter path of life,Still guides us tenderly.

Aye! What might happen with the youthful energyWhich burns so merrily within our breasts

But for the guidance of thy pious hand;Thy love, thy zeal!

We, thy children, Father, -- thou our guideTo habitations of eternal bliss.No fear can agitate the mind

With such a pilot.

May the Apostle whose great name thou bearest,In whose footsteps thou doest walk so valiantly,

Grant to thee his grace divine o'erflowing, --Power divine!

D. Family Relationship

The poem was written when he was fourteen years old to offer his congratulation to his brother-in-law Antonino Lopez .Rizal showed his tender love and affection to his brother-in-law as he described the family’s happiness as his saint’s day in 1875. 

 FELICITATION

If Philomel with sonorous voice,That shows her face at the golden sun

Behind the hill or mountain highSends out her trills;

We too are filled with happiness

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We're greeting you and your noble saintIn brotherly rhythm and tender song

Dear Antonino.

From your sisters and other relativesReceive with love th' affectionate verse,That the gentle breath of love dictates

Benign and sweet.

From fond Emilio and loving wifeReceive sweet fondness beyond compare,

And in misfortune may its sweetness softenAfflictions hard.

Alike the pilot who valiantly foughtWith the tempest in the obscure night

He takes care that his bark is safeTo arrive at port.

Thus, turning away from your earthly homeYour eyes are directed t'ward heaven high

At the one who is solace of all menBeloved Father.

And coming from us with tender wordsWe greet you where e'er you celebrate

Loud hurrahs, that from the bosom comePleasantly accept.

E. Spanish Adventurism and Colonial Struggle

  This poem was about the departure of Magellan in Spain in search of the new route to the east. Rizal had shown this literary work as part of his knowledge in the beginning of Spanish adventurism and later on the colonial struggle of the Spanish authorities.

THE EMBARKATION

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The embarkation as poem was written by Rizal when he was a boarding student at the Ateneo Municipal de Manila. It is believed to have been his first poem that had the honor of being read in a public program held at that school, a recognition of its literary merit.

One beautiful day when in the East The sun had gaily brightened,

At Barrameda with rejoicing great Activities everywhere reigned.

'Tis 'cause on the shores the caravels Would part with their sails a-swelling; And noble warriors with their swords To conquer unknown world are going.

And all is glee and all is joy, All is valor in the city.

Everywhere the husky sounds of drums Are resounding with majesty.

With big echoes thousands of salvos Makes at the ships a roaring cannon

And the Spanish people proudly greet The soldiers with affection.

Farewell! They say to them, loved ones, Brave soldiers of the homeland;

With glories gird our mother Spain, In the campaign in the unknown land!

As they move away to the gentle breath Of the cool wind with emotion,

They all bless with a pious voice So glorious, heroic action.

And finally, the people salute The standard of Magellan

That he carries on the way to the seas

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Where madly roars the hurricane.

 ABD-ELAZIS AND MOHAMMED

This epic poem was compose by Rizal as he recalled her struggle between the Spaniards and Moors in Spain. It was a part of the intellectual knowledge of Rizal from the historical account of the Spanish conquest to defeat the Moors in Spain.

It was night: the moaning wind Sighs as it kisses the towers tall

And on its wings carries mournfully Thousands of confused noises agitating the space.

Aweful clouds bedim the peace Of the dark night's beautiful star,

And a soft tint like a mantle of snow Covers the fields that the Spaniard treads.

There, from the tall, Moorish tow'r Sings the own on th' imposing peak, Numberless evils and bloody fights

With fatidical accent foretells.

In the mean while on the soft bed That the luxurious Moor makes of ivory,

Rest doth seek the weary, brave Abd-El-Azis, Pleasant relief from the bygone day.

Th' incense mild in silver tripods That th' Arabian bark distills,

Burns and spreads intoxicating scent, Of the sumptuous chamber soft delight.

Everything is silent: everyone sleeps;

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Only the sorrowful Moor keeps guard, Contemplates the light that sadly

Penetrates through th' elegant arch.

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Cited Publication:

Bueno, C.F. ( 2012) Jose P. Rizal : The National Hero .CreateSpace Independent Publishing Platform. Amazon.com

Amazon Link:

http://www.amazon.com/Jose-P-Rizal-National-Hero/dp/1479130362

The book is primarily focus in contemporary studies on role modeling, values formation, historical and political development of Philippine nationalism as to the life, works and writings of Rizal. It emphasizes on critical analysis about the life, works and writings of Rizal for us to deeply appreciate and serve as model for an intellectual and patriotic endeavor on the development of the Filipino people.

The heroism of Jose Rizal nurtures through role modeling and values formation to realize his dream that the Filipino people must love their own country. It is not only through patriotism that need to be realized in his vision but also development on ethical values of dignity, integrity, honor, honesty, humility and other noteworthy attitudes of the

Filipino people.

Product Details

Paperback: 172 pages Publisher: CreateSpace Independent Publishing Platform (August 19, 2012) Language: English ISBN-10: 1479130362 ISBN-13: 978-1479130368

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Product Dimensions: 9 x 6 x 0.4 inches

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