Rizal's Selected Poems PDF - EBA1 Midterms
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Uploaded by ChampionFallingAction
University of Baguio
2025
BNSD
Rizal
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Summary
This document is a collection of poems by Jose Rizal, specifically selected pieces for an EBA1 Midterm exam. The poems discuss themes of patriotism, language, and the role of youth in nation-building. The document touches on the importance of language as a bridge between cultures and the historical context of Rizal's life.
Full Transcript
RIZAL’S SELECTED POEMS LIFE AND WORKS OF RIZAL EBA1| MIDTERMS — FIRST SEMESTER | S.Y. ‘24-25 | BNSD SA AKING MGA KABATA - he challenged the youth through this poem to refine and nurture their ta...
RIZAL’S SELECTED POEMS LIFE AND WORKS OF RIZAL EBA1| MIDTERMS — FIRST SEMESTER | S.Y. ‘24-25 | BNSD SA AKING MGA KABATA - he challenged the youth through this poem to refine and nurture their talents in the arts, to Kapagka ang baya’y sadyang umiibig Sa kanyang salitang kaloob ng langit, invigorate and reinforce their knowledge of the Sanlang kalayaan nasa ring masapit sciences, and to look forward and comminute Katulad ng ibong nasa himpapawid. their chain of servitude. - the message this poem tries to convey is holding Pagka’t ang salita’y isang kahatulan a very strong one; strong enough to Sa bayan, sa nayo’t mga kaharian, persuade/induce those who are to be At ang isang tao’y katulad, kabagay persuaded/induced. Ng alin mang likha noong kalayaan. - Written when Rizal was 8 years old (1860) before he went to binan to begin his formal Ang hindi magmahal sa kanyang salita schooling under Maestro Justiano Cruz Mahigit sa hayop at malansang isda, Kaya ang marapat pagyamaning kusa - Pointed out the nationalistic significance of the Na tulad sa inang tunay na nagpala. Mother tongue in the life of our people. If a country really loves her God-given tongue, she Ang wikang Tagalog tulad din sa Latin will surely yearn for freedom like the birds in the Sa Ingles, Kastila at salitang anghel, firmament. Sapagka’t ang Poong maalam tumingin Kapagka ang baya’y sadyang umiibig Ang siyang naggawad, nagbigay sa atin. Sa kanyang salitang kaloob ng langit, Sanlang kalayaan nasa ring masapit Ang salita nati’y huwad din sa iba Katulad ng ibong nasa himpapawid. Na may alfabeto at sariling letra, Na kaya nawala’y dinatnan ng sigwa - Rizal scorns those who refuse to love their Ang lunday sa lawa noong dakong una. native language when he said: - The poem is a message primarily to tell the Ang hindi magmahal sa kanyang salita importance of one’s love and appreciation to his Mahigit sa hayop at malansang isda, dialect or language, for it is the bridge and - Rizal at an early age already felt that some of his intermediary connecting people’s country to countrymen have developed a colonial each other. mentality to the prejudice of our native - Rizal praised the rising generation. language. - This poem can be considered as Rizal’s first - Besides praising nationalism, liberty, and testimony and presentation of his nationalism. freedom, he advocated racial equality. He - In this literary piece, he clearly referred to the pointed out the equality of our language to Philippines as his home/motherland, he thought Latin, English, and Spanish because God gave it in the poem relates to the role of the youth with to us. the nation building. - Our language like others have alphabets which, - He composed the poem to dedicate to the youth of the Philippines. however, were lost and destroyed by invaders - He wanted the Filipino youth to use their in the earlier years: capabilities, talents and skills to stand out not Ang wikang Tagalog tulad din sa Latin only for their own praise and success but also Sa Ingles, Kastila at salitang anghel, for the praise and success of their own Sapagka’t ang Poong maalam tumingin motherland, the Philippines. Ang siyang naggawad, nagbigay sa atin. - Dr. Jose Rizal wanted the Filipino youth to build up their abilities and use them to help those Ang salita nati’y huwad din sa iba who are in need. Na may alfabeto at sariling letra, Na kaya nawala’y dinatnan ng sigwa Ang lunday sa lawa noong dakong una. RIZAL’S SELECTED POEMS LIFE AND WORKS OF RIZAL EBA1| MIDTERMS — FIRST SEMESTER | S.Y. ‘24-25 | BNSD EDUCATION GIVES LUSTER TO THE MOTHERLAND And like a rock that rises with pride In the middle of the turbulent waves Wise education, vital breath When hurricane and fierce Notus roar Inspires an enchanting virtue; She disregards their fury and raves, She puts the Country in the lofty seat That weary of the horror great Of endless glory, of dazzling glow, So frightened calmly off they stave; And just as the gentle aura's puff Such is one by wise education steered Do brighten the perfumed flower's hue: He holds the Country's reins unconquered. So education with a wise, guiding hand, His achievements on sapphires are engraved; A benefactress, exalts the human band. The Country pays him a thousand honors; Man's placid repose and earthly life For in the noble breasts of her sons To education he dedicates Virtue transplanted luxuriant flow'rs; Because of her, art and science are born And in the love of good e'er disposed Man; and as from the high mount above Will see the lords and governors The pure rivulet flows, undulates, The noble people with loyal venture So education beyond measure Christian education always procure. Gives the Country tranquility secure. And like the golden sun of the morn Where wise education raises a throne Whose rays resplendent shedding gold, Sprightly youth are invigorated, And like fair aurora of gold and red Who with firm stand error they subdue She overspreads her colors bold; And with noble ideas are exalted; Such true education proudly gives It breaks immortality's neck, The pleasure of virtue to young and old Contemptible crime before it is halted: And she enlightens out Motherland dear It humbles barbarous nations As she offers endless glow and luster. And it makes of savages champions. - At the early age of 16, Rizal was already aware of his And like the spring that nourishes Motherland and love of country was also awakened The plants, the bushes of the meads, him. She goes on spilling her placid wealth, - Inspired by the gains he had through education, the And with kind eagerness she constantly feeds, young Rizal envisioned what education can do to a The river banks through which she slips, country if its leadership would be made up of a new And to beautiful nature all she concedes, breed of educated youth. So whoever procures education wise - Rizal hoped his countrymen to seek knowledge in Until the height of honor may rise. order to live a life of enlightenment which would From her lips the waters crystalline make the country rise to the heights of honor and Gush forth without end, of divine virtue, prestige. And prudent doctrines of her faith - He pictured beautifully education as the foundation The forces weak of evil subdue, of knowledge which gives endless glory That break apart like the whitish waves - Rizal urged his fellow students to educate That lash upon the motionless shoreline: themselves because wise education gives birth to And to climb the heavenly ways the people Do learn with her noble example. science and art. As the hope of the Motherland, they could do a lot to improve not only their lives but also In the wretched human beings' breast the social conditions in the Philippines. The living flame of good she lights - Through wise education, the youth is directed along The hands of criminal fierce she ties, the path of righteousness and goodness. If the youth And fill the faithful hearts with delights, follow the path, he will be inspired. Which seeks her secrets beneficent And in the love for the good her breast she incites, And it's the' education noble and pure Of human life the balsam sure. RIZAL’S SELECTED POEMS LIFE AND WORKS OF RIZAL EBA1| MIDTERMS — FIRST SEMESTER | S.Y. ‘24-25 | BNSD - Reiterating the luster of wise education, Rizal ended the waves narrate with many a sigh to the mild wind his poem with a feeling of triumph. Comparing the histories that were lost in the dark night of time. wonderful gift of wise education to the Motherland ‘Tis said they tell of the first morning on the earth, with the gift of a golden sun to the world, he wrote: of the first kiss with which the sun inflamed her breast, And like the golden sun of the morn when multitudes of beings materialized from nothing Whose rays resplendent shedding gold, to populate the abyss and the overhanging summits And like fair aurora of gold and red and all the places where that quickening kiss was pressed. She overspreads her colors bold; Such true education proudly gives But when the winds rage in the darkness of the night The pleasure of virtue to young and old and the unquiet waves commence their agony, And she enlightens out Motherland dear across the air move cries that terrify the spirit, As she offers endless glow and luster. a chorus of voices praying, a lamentation that seems to come from those who, long ago, drowned in the sea. MY RETREAT Then do the mountain ranges on high reverberate; Beside a spacious beach of fine and delicate sand the trees stir far and wide, by a fit of trembling seized; and at the foot of a mountain greener than a leaf, the cattle moan; the dark depths of the forest resound; I planted my humble hut beneath a pleasant orchard, their spirits say that they are on their way to the plain, seeking in the still serenity of the woods summoned by the dead to a mortuary feast. repose to my intellect and silence to my grief. The wild night hisses, hisses, confused and terrifying; Its roof is fragile nipa; its floor is brittle bamboo; one sees the sea afire with flames of green and blue; its beams and posts are rough as rough-hewn wood can be; but calm is re-established with the approach of dawning of no worth, it is certain, is my rustic cabin; and forthwith an intrepid little fishing vessel but on the lap of the eternal mount it slumbers begins to navigate the weary waves anew. and night and day is lulled by the crooning of the sea. So pass the days of my life in my obscure retreat; The overflowing brook, that from the shadowy jungle cast out of the world where once I dwelt: such is my rare descends between huge bolders, washes it with its spray, good fortune; and Providence be praised for my condition: donating a current of water through makeshift bamboo pipes a disregarded pebble that craves nothing but moss that in the silent night is melody and music to hide from all the treasure that in myself I bear. and crystalline nectar in the noon heat of the day. I live with the remembrance of those that I have loved If the sky is serene, meekly flows the spring, and hear their names still spoken, who haunt my memory; strumming on its invisible zither unceasingly; some already are dead, others have long forgotten— but come the time of the rains, and an impetuous torrent but what does it matter? I live remembering the past spills over rocks and chasms—hoarse, foaming and aboil— and no one can ever take the past away from me. to hurl itself with a frenzied roaring toward the sea. It is my faithful friend that never turns against me, The barking of the dog, the twittering of the birds, that cheers my spirit when my spirit’s a lonesome wraith, the hoarse voice of the kalaw are all that I hear; that in my sleepless nights keeps watch with me and prays there is no boastful man, no nuisance of a neighbor with me, and shares with me my exile and my cabin, to impose himself on my mind or to disturb my passage; and, when all doubt, alone infuses me with faith. only the forests and the sea do I have near. Faith do I have, and I believe the day will shine The sea, the sea is everything! Its sovereign mass when the Idea shall defeat brute force as well; brings to me atoms of a myriad faraway lands; and after the struggle and the lingering agony its bright smile animates me in the limpid mornings; a voice more eloquent and happier than my own and when at the end of day my faith has proven futile, will then know how to utter victory’s canticle. my heart echoes the sound of its sorrow on the sands. I see the heavens shining, as flawless and refulgent as in the days that saw my first illusions start; At night it is a mystery!... Its diaphanous element I feel the same breeze kissing my autumnal brow, is carpeted with thousands and thousands of lights that climb; the same that once enkindled my fervent enthusiasm the wandering breeze is cool, the firmament is brilliant, and turned the blood ebullient within my youthful heart. RIZAL’S SELECTED POEMS LIFE AND WORKS OF RIZAL EBA1| MIDTERMS — FIRST SEMESTER | S.Y. ‘24-25 | BNSD Across the fields and rivers of my native town - The imagery and melody of the poem displayed perhaps has traveled the breeze that now I breathe by chance; Rizal's descriptive power. perhaps it will give back to me what once I gave it: - Here, he betrays no resentment against his the sighs and kisses of a person idolized unjust exile for he believed that the day would and the sweet secrets of a virginal romance. come when...o'er brutal force idea would On seeing the same moon, as silvery as before, prevail. I feel within me the ancient melancholy revives; - Let us listen to his graceful and delightful a thousand memories of love and vows awaken: description of the Land the house: a patio, an azotea, a beach, a leafy bower; Beside the wide expanse of fine and sandy shore And silences and sighs, and blushes of delight... at the foot of the green covered mountain I built my hut in the groove's delightful core, To seek in the A butterfly a thirst for radiances and colors, woodlands' tranquility serene, Repose for my mind dreaming of other skies and of a larger strife, and from my griefs refrain. I left, scarcely a youth, my land and my affections, and vagrant everywhere, with no qualms, with no terrors, Fragile nipa is its roof, bamboo frail its floor, With squandered in foreign lands the April of my life. rough timber its pillars and its beams are made: But in the mountain lap in dreams it is laid, Day and night And afterwards, when I desired, a weary swallow, the sea lulls it and gives it serenade. to go back to the nest of those for whom I care, - His life in exile is vividly described thus: suddenly fiercely roared a violent hurricane Thus in my obscure retreat the days pass by, From the and I found my wings broken, my dwelling place demolished, world where at one time I'lived, torn away. For my faith now sold to others, and ruins everywhere. fortune rare I admire God on high A lost pebble, to be Hurled upon a rock of the country I adore; clad with moss wish I To hide from all the gifts I have the future ruined; no home, no health to bring me cheer; in me you come to me anew, dreams of rose and gold, - There was a holy holy humility in the life of Rizal who of my entire existence the solitary treasure, recounted memories of those whom he loved: convictions of a youth that was healthy and sincere. I live with the mem'ries of those I have loved before, And their names by others uttered now and then I hear: No more are you, like once, full of fire and life, Now some are dead, others think of me no more: offering a thousand crowns to immortality; But what does it matter? I live with the thoughts of yore somewhat serious I find you; and yet your face beloved, And no one can wrest from me the yesteryears. if now no longer as merry, if now no longer as vivid, - Rizal, too, recounted the memory of the love he bore now bear the superscription of fidelity. for one who had forsaken him: It is my faithful friend which hurts me ne'er You offer me, O illusions, the cup of consolation; Which when it sees me and always consoles my soul, you come to reawaken the years of youthful mirth; Which in my sleepless night watches me with pray'r hurricane, I thank you; winds of heaven, I thank you With me, and in my exile dwells in my sylvan lair, that in good hour suspended by uncertain flight It alone infuses me with faith when I'm doubted by all. to bring me down to the bosom of my native earth. - Then Rizal recalled how he left his country full of bright illusions spending the spring of his life in Beside a spacious beach of fine and delicate sand foreign lands. Then he returned and cast upon on far- and at the foot of a mountain greener than a leaf, flung rock with no hope but the memory of the beliefs I found in my land a refuge under a pleasant orchard, of a youth so vigorous and hearty. and in its shadowy forests, serene tranquility, repose to my intellect and silence to my grief. - During his four-year exile in Dapitan, Rizal wrote "My Retreat" at the request of his mother who was eager to know how he lived there. T - It is a sentimental, touching and exquisite poem describing his home and life in lonely Dapitan. RIZAL’S SELECTED POEMS LIFE AND WORKS OF RIZAL EBA1| MIDTERMS — FIRST SEMESTER | S.Y. ‘24-25 | BNSD TO THE PHILIPPINE YOUTH Day, O happy day, Fair Filipinas, for thy land! Hold high the brow serene, So bless the Power to-day O youth, where now you stand; That places in thy way Let the bright sheen This favor and this fortune grand! Of your grace be seen, - The Liceo Artistico-Literario de Manila, an Fair hope of my fatherland! association of arts lovers in Manila regularly Come now, thou genius grand, And bring down inspiration; held literary contests to stimulate an develop With thy mighty hand, literary talents. Swifter than the wind's violation, - In 1879, it opened one for works in verse and Raise the eager mind to higher station. prose with a special prize to Filipinos and half- breeds. Rizal participated in the contest by Come down with pleasing light submitting a poem entitled, "To the Filipino Of art and science to the fight, Youth." (A La Juventud Filipina). O youth, and there untie The chains that heavy lie, - Like his poem "Education Gives Luster to Your spirit free to blight. Motherland," he inspired the youth to develop See how in flaming zone their talents, look forward and break the chain Amid the shadows thrown, of their "bondage," he called them "Bella The Spaniard'a holy hand esperanza de la patria mia" ("Fair hope of my A crown's resplendent band Motherland"). Proffers to this Indian land. - Eager to shake off the belief among the Filipinos that W man was superior to them, Rizal Thou, who now wouldst rise encouraged the timid flowers, fair hope of my On wings of rich emprise, Motherland to lift up your radiant brow and Seeking from Olympian skies Songs of sweetest strain, show your talent resplendently and grand." Softer than ambrosial rain; - He urged the youth to "fly swifter than the wind Thou, whose voice divine and descend with art and science to break the Rivals Philomel's refrain chain that has bound the poetic genius of the And with varied line nation." Through the night benign - In this poem: Frees mortality from pain; - Rizal called on the poet to open the horizon and write poetry about the country: Thou, who by sharp strife Soar high, O genius great, Wakest thy mind to life; And with noble thoughts fill their mind. And the memory bright The honors glorious seat, Of thy genius' light May their virgin mind fly and find Makest immortal in its strength; More rapidly than the wind And thou, in accents clear You, who heavenward rise Of Phoebus, to Apelles dear; On wings of your rich fantasy, Or by the brush's magic art Seek in the Olympian skies Takest from nature's store a part, The tenderest poesy, To fig it on the simple canvas' length; More sweet than divine honey. Go forth, and then the sacred fire - He urged the singer to dissipate man's sorrow. Of thy genius to the laurel may aspire; You, of heavenly harmony, To spread around the fame, On a calm unperturbed night, And in victory acclaim, Philomel's match in melody, Through wider spheres the human name. That in varied symphony Dissipate man's sorrow's blight. RIZAL’S SELECTED POEMS LIFE AND WORKS OF RIZAL EBA1| MIDTERMS — FIRST SEMESTER | S.Y. ‘24-25 | BNSD - To the sculptor Rizal's request was to animate the - Rizal ended his poem by begging the flowers to hard rock with life: bestow the Philippines and those he loved the kisses You, at the impulse of your mind he gave to the flowers and tell them of his earnest The hard rock animate. love: - And to the painter, Rizal's request was to give beauty Bring out thou with thee, oh flow'rs to his can Love to all my amours. And you, your magic brush Peace to my country with fecund soil On canvas plain capture. To her women virtue, to her men faith, the Mantle of Nature. To sweet and good beings health - Rizal urged the youth to develop their talents and find That shelters the home holy and paternal. out what genius would be proclaimed throughout the world for having served the country. They should take When upon the shore you alight, príde in their country. The kiss on you I press Run! For genius' sacred flame Place it on the wings of the breeze Awaits the artist's crowning Spreading far and wide the fame That is may go with its flight Throughout the sphere proclaiming And kiss all that I love, adore and caress. With trumpet the mortal's name. - And when the youth answers the call, heaven should HYMN TO LABOR be thanked for the joy of his Motherland, the - Shortly before his second departure for Europe on Philippines. The nationalistic poem ends with an February 3, 1888, Rizal wrote the poem upon the expression of Rizal's deep e of gratitude: sense request of his friends from Lipa, Batangas in Oh, joyful, joyful day, connection with their town fiesta. For you, fair Philippines! - Rizal extolled man's labor and industry, singing praise The Almighty blessed be to labor, of the country, wealth and vigor. He Who, with loving eagerness awakened the youth to be worthy of their elders by Sends you lucks and happiness. following their footsteps. Teach us ye the laborious work TO THE FLOWERS OF HEIDELBERG To pursue your footsteps we wish, - Fascinated by the beauty of German spring and a For tomorrow when country calls us feeling of nostalgia Rizal found inspiration in the We may be able your task to finish. beauty of the nostalgia, blooming flowers and the fragrance of the woods. This inspiration gave birth to And on seeing us the elders will say: a touching poem entitled, "To the Flowers of Look, they're worthy 'f their sires of yore! Heidelberg" which he wrote on April 24, 1886. Incense does not honor the dead - The poem exudes intense love of his native land, a As does a son with glory and valor. love which has grown in intensity as he travelled from - Rizal stressed the role of labor in keeping up the country to country. Rizal asked the flowers to dignity of man, keeping the family happy, and the imaginatively go to the Philippines and convey love country strong. for his country and loved ones For the labor of man sustains Go to my country, exotic flow'rs, Fam'ly, home and Motherland. Sown by the traveler on his path, And 'neath her cerulean skies, That keep my loves in their bow'rs, Tell them about the faith, For his native land, the pilgrim sighs! - Rizal also asked the flowers to tell the Philippines how on early mo hours he also thought of his loved ones: Say thou that when the breeze That steals away your scents To you murmurs song of love a-playing Songs of romance in his native accents. RIZAL’S SELECTED POEMS LIFE AND WORKS OF RIZAL EBA1| MIDTERMS — FIRST SEMESTER | S.Y. ‘24-25 | BNSD THE SONG OF THE TRAVELER LAST FAREWELL - On December 17, 1895, Rizal wrote Governor- Farewell, dear Fatherland, clime of the sun caress'd General Ramon Blanco. He applied as a Pearl of the Orient seas, our Eden lost! physician in the medical corps of the Spanish Gladly now I go to give thee this faded life's best, And were it brighter, fresher, or more blest army in Cuba. Because of his thought of Still would I give it thee, nor count the cost. travelling again, he wrote the "The Song of the Traveler". On the field of battle, 'mid the frenzy of fight, - One feels the restlessness of the traveler Others have given their lives, without doubt or heed; seeking a heaven of happiness - but happiness The place matters not-cypress or laurel or lily white, flies as he comes. Scaffold or open plain, combat or martyrdom's plight, - Full of tender thoughts, Rizal described himself T is ever the same, to serve our home and country's need. as: A dry leaf that hesitantly flies I die just when I see the dawn break, And smarched by hurricanes away. Through the gloom of night, to herald the day; This lives on earth the traveler And if color is lacking my blood thou shalt take, Without aim without soul without love nor country Pour'd out at need for thy dear sake - Rizal never found happiness outside his own To dye with its crimson the waking ray. country. He felt he will die in foreign shores (Cuba) unremembered by his country for which My dreams, when life first opened to me, My dreams, when the hopes of youth beat high, he greatly suffered Were to see thy lov'd face, O gem of the Orient sea - Looking back at his country, he wrote of his From gloom and grief, from care and sorrow free; ruined home (persecution of his family) and lost No blush on thy brow, no tear in thine eye. love (Leonor Rivera). Dream of my life, my living and burning desire, To his country the pilgrim will return All hail! cries the soul that is now to take flight; And perhaps he will return to his home, All hail! And sweet it is for thee to expire; And he'll find everywhere all snow and ruins, To die for thy sake, that thou mayst aspire; Lost love, sepulcher, everything gone. And sleep in thy bosom eternity's long night. - Rizal ended his poem by giving himself the push a stronger will to travel. He left to others the If over my grave someday thou seest grow, love and joys of his native land. There was no In the grassy sod, a humble flower, more turning back If he leaves it is to drown his Draw it to thy lips and kiss my soul so, griefs and sorrows While I may feel on my brow in the cold tomb below The touch of thy tenderness, thy breath's warm power. Let the moon beam over me soft and serene, Let the dawn shed over me its radiant flashes, Let the wind with sad lament over me keen; And if on my cross a bird should be seen, Let it trill there its hymn of peace to my ashes. Let the sun draw the vapors up to the sky, And heavenward in purity bear my tardy protest Let some kind soul o 'er my untimely fate sigh, And in the still evening a prayer be lifted on high From thee, 0 my country, that in God I may rest. Pray for all those that hapless have died, For all who have suffered the unmeasur'd pain; For our mothers that bitterly their woes have cried, For widows and orphans, for captives by torture tried And then for thyself that redemption thou mayst gain. RIZAL’S SELECTED POEMS LIFE AND WORKS OF RIZAL EBA1| MIDTERMS — FIRST SEMESTER | S.Y. ‘24-25 | BNSD - Widely regarded as the most patriotic poem in the And when the dark night wraps the graveyard around world, it has been translated into at least 38 With only the dead in their vigil to see languages. The Poem reflects the hero’s adoration to Break not my repose or the mystery profound and patriotism for his country. The poem requests And perchance thou mayst hear a sad hymn resound Filipinos to pray for others who also have died and 'T is I, O my country, raising a song unto thee. suffered for the country. - It begged the Filipino people to never lose hope and And even my grave is remembered no more faith in the Lord God. Forceful words were used to Unmark'd by never a cross nor a stone inspire them not to be discouraged by the Let the plow sweep through it, the spade turn it o'er oppressions of the Spaniards. That my ashes may carpet earthly floor, - At the last part of the poem, Jose Rizal mentioned his Before into nothingness at last they are blown. “sweet stranger” as his friend and joy. This implied his farewell to his beloved “dulce estranjera” Josephine Then will oblivion bring to me no care Bracken. Lately, a song based on the poem “Mi As over thy vales and plains I sweep; Ultimo Adios” was composed by contemporary artist Throbbing and cleansed in thy space and air Joey Ayala. With color and light, with song and lament I fare, Ever repeating the faith that I keep. My Fatherland ador'd, that sadness to my sorrow lends Beloved Filipinas, hear now my last good-by! I give thee all: parents and kindred and friends For I go where no slave before the oppressor bends, Where faith can never kill, and God reigns e'er on high! Farewell to you all, from my soul torn away, Friends of my childhood in the home dispossessed! Give thanks that I rest from the wearisome day! Farewell to thee, too, sweet friend that lightened my way; Beloved creatures all, farewell! In death there is rest! - This untitled poem is considered the most celebrated poem by nationalhero. Rizal’s friend, Mariano Ponce, was the once who titled the poem “Mi Ulitmo Pensamiento” (My Last Though). Later, the poem was referred to as “My Last Farewell” (Mi Ulitmo Adios). - “Mi Ultimo Adios,” a brilliant creation, was assumed to be written the night before Jose Rizal’s execution on December 30, 1896. - As the dear visitors were leaving, Jose handed over to his sister Trinidad an alcohol cooking stove, a gift from the Pardo de Taveras, whispering to her in a language, which the guards could not comprehend, “There is something in it”. That something was Rizal’s unsigned, undated, and untitled poem consisting of 14 five-line stanzas. The Rizal family reproduced and distributed copies of it and sent copies to the hero’s friends in the country and abroad.