A Primavera

by Antonio Feliciano de Castilho

"A Primavera" by Antonio Feliciano de Castilho is a collection of poetry written in the early 19th century. The work reflects the author's deep appreciation for nature and the rural themes prevalent in Portuguese literature of the time. It captures the essence of spring, intertwining personal reflections, past experiences, and the beauty of the natural world. The opening of the collection serves as an introduction, where the author shares his personal journey and feelings about his past work, "Primavera," which he had not revisited for fourteen years. He expresses a blend of nostalgia and fear, contemplating how time has changed both him and his earlier verses. Castilho reflects on the changes in his life and in Portugal during this period, expressing a longing for simplicity and the rustic joys of life. The text hints at a blend of pastoral themes with his personal experiences, setting the tone for an exploration of love, nature, and the passage of time in the subsequent poems.