THE MANZANARES RIVER LAMENTS HAVING SUCH A LARGE BRIDGE

The river speaks

Take that bridge off me, for it's killing me,
Your Honors, councilmembers of this town;
I tell you it has cracked one of my ribs;
it's too big, and it's such a heavy load!

From arch to arch it is spread out so far,
that even my green shore cannot quite see it;
I'd rather that they take it to Seville,
if it could fit across her river's road.

Perishing from thirst in summer's heat,
it's wrong to give the cause and argument
that in a storm, at least, I pass the test.

Since with just half of it I'd be content,
your mercies, bring another river here
to serve it as a second, paying guest.