CHAPTER 4

THE 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 Magellans 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 that shades light for
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his family and country.

THROUGH EDUCATION OUR MOTHERLAND
RECEIVES LIGHT
The vital breath of prudent Education
Instills a virtue of enchanting power;
She lifts the motherland to highest station
And endless dazzling glories on her shower.
And as the zephyr's gentle exhalation
Revives 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 part
With 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 heart
The purest current of the streamlet flows,
So education without stint or measure gives
Security and peace to lands in which she lives.
Where Education reigns on lofty seat
Youth 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 bestow
On all the plants, on bushes in the mead,
Its placid plenty goes to overflow
And 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 procure
The 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 learn
Their upward steps toward the heavenly paths to turn.
Within the breast of wretched humankind
She 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 Education
That gives to life its surest consolation.
And as the mighty rock aloft may tower
Above 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 implanted

To endless days, the Christian Education,
Within their noble, faith-enrapture nation.
And as in early morning we behold
The 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 light
That 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
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 elm
Creeps tortuously, together the adornment
Of the verdant plain, embellishing
Each other and together growing,
But should the kindly elm refuse its aid
The ivy would impotent and friendless wither
So is Education to Religion
By spiritual alliance bound
Through Religion, Education gains reknown, and
Woe to the impious mind that blindly spurning
The sapient teachings of religion, this
Unpolluted fountain-head forsakes.
As the sprout, growing from the pompous vine,
Proudly offers us its honeyed clusters
While the generous and loving garment
Feeds its roots; so the freshning waters
Of celestial virtue give new life
To Education true, shedding
On it warmth and light; because of them
The vine smells sweet and gives delicious fruit
Without Religion, Human Education
Is like unto a vessel struck by winds
Which, sore beset, is of its helm deprived
By the roaring blows and buffets of the dread
Tempestuous Boreas, who fiercely wields
His power until he proudly send her down
Into the deep abysses of then angered sea.
As the heavens dew the meadow feeds and
strengthen
So that blooming flowers all the earth

Embrioder in the days of spring; so also

If Religion holy nourishes
Education with its doctrine, she
Shall walk in joy and generosity
Toward the good, and everywhere bestrew
The 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!
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 light
Of art and science in your train; -On life's arena, smite
And break the heavy chain
Where long your pinioned poetry hath lain.
Behold how, on this ardent zone
Where 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 rise
On 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 nightingale
Who carol some celestial lay
Beneath the night moon pale,
And by the tune you play
Drive bitter mortal pain away.
All ye who hold the power to free
Those 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,
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 flame

Of 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 Power
Which, 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 come
To earth in cave forlorn
Does fortune now deride thee

When Thou art scarcely born

Ah,woe ! Celestial King
Who mortal from dost keep
Wouldst rather than be sovereign
Be 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 peace
To all afflicted mortals; thou the spring
Whence flows a current of relief, to bring
Our 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 receive
My 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 crystal spring
and the feast in carmine clouds. His birth was so fortunate
to have loving mother who gave her life. This was the
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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 bowers
In fragrant fray
Rival each others flowers
This festive day?
Why is sweet melody bruited
In the sylvan dale,
Harmony sweet and fluted
Like the nightingale?
Why do birds sing so
In the tender grass,
Flitting from bough to bough
With the winds that pass
And why does the crystal spring
Run among the flowers mother, they
While lullaby zephyrs sing
Like its crystal showers?
I see the dawn in the East
With beauty endowed.
Why goes she to a feast
In a carmine cloud?
Sweet mother, they celebrate
Your natal day
The rose with her scent innate
The birds with his lay
The murmurous spring this day
Without alloy
Murmuring bids you always
To live in joy
While the crystalline mursmurs glisten,
Hear you the accents strong
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Struck from my lyre, listen!

To my loves 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 everywhere
Across the field.
Sweet and mellow is the placid murmur
Of the gentle brook with silver foam
Dissolving merrily between the golden sands
And splashing pearls.
Sweet are the songs of melodious birds;
Soft the aroma of the festive flowers;
And fragrances at silver dawn
Are soft and sweet.
But thy name, Father idolized,
A purer sweetness in our breasts instills,
Of light extending from th' eternal splendor
Its gentlest rays.
Most loving hand of God, a father
And example thou, whose sincere love,
Despite the bitter path of life,

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Still guides us tenderly.

Aye! What might happen with the youthful energy
Which burns so merrily within our breasts
But for the guidance of thy pious hand;
Thy love, thy zeal!
We, thy children, Father, -- thou our guide
To 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 familys happiness
as his saints day in 1875.
FELICITATION
If Philomel with sonorous voice,
That shows her face at the golden sun
Behind the hill or mountain high
Sends out her trills;
We too are filled with happiness
We're greeting you and your noble saint
In brotherly rhythm and tender song
Dear Antonino.

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From your sisters and other relatives

Receive with love th' affectionate verse,
That the gentle breath of love dictates
Benign and sweet.
From fond Emilio and loving wife
Receive sweet fondness beyond compare,
And in misfortune may its sweetness soften
Afflictions hard.
Alike the pilot who valiantly fought
With the tempest in the obscure night
He takes care that his bark is safe
To arrive at port.
Thus, turning away from your earthly home
Your eyes are directed t'ward heaven high
At the one who is solace of all men
Beloved Father.
And coming from us with tender words
We greet you where e'er you celebrate
Loud hurrahs, that from the bosom come
Pleasantly 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
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
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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
Where madly roars the hurricane.
ABD-ELAZIS AND MOHAMMED

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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;
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-NationalHero/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

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ISBN-10: 1479130362

ISBN-13: 978-1479130368

Product Dimensions: 9 x 6 x 0.4 inches

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