Bajo el dolor de esa profunda llaga
con que la infiel ha muerto su esperanza
y sin más ley... la ley de su daga
que ha de apagar su sed de venganza;
miró al rival que era su propio hermano
y ante la luz del desengaño impío
¡no pudo más!... y en un mortal desafío
mostró al varón, ya desnudo su facón.

(recitado)
Y sin más juez que su honor,
después de un pujante duelo,
dejó tendido en el suelo
a aquel hermano traidor.

Se inclinó el paisano con dolor
sobre el cuerpo inerte del rival
y al notar que no era aquella herida mortal
miró el cielo como agradecido;
y la indigna llena de terror
se acercó, llorando, junto al ser
que cayó por ella, y por su falso proceder
bajo el acero del honor

¡Mujer fatal!... dijo el paisano altivo,
a vos también debiera castigarte,
pero tal vez... tal vez si es que vivo,
he de volver la deuda a cobrarte;
y si me voy sin castigar tu infamia
es porque sé que ese hombre necesita
que lo curés... con la ternura infinita
que te besó, cuando al rancho yo llegué.

(recitado)
Se quedó como pensando
en sus muertas ilusiones
y mientras le iban surcando
el rostro dos lagrimones...

English translation

Under the pain of that deep wound
with which the unfaithful one has died her hope
and without any other law... the law of her dagger
that has to quench her thirst for revenge;
she looked at the rival who was her own brother
and before the light of unholy disillusionment
he could no more!... and in a deadly challenge
he showed the man, already naked, his facon.

(recited)
And with no other judge than his honor,
after a fierce duel,
he left lying on the ground
that traitorous brother on the ground.

The countryman bent down with pain
over the inert body of his rival
and noticing that it was not that mortal wound
he looked at the sky as if grateful;
and the unworthy one, full of terror
approached, weeping, next to the being
who fell for her, and for her false course of action
under the steel of honor

Fatal woman!... said the haughty countryman,
I ought to punish you too,
but perhaps... perhaps if I live,
I must return the debt to collect from you;
And if I leave without punishing your infamy...
it is because I know that this man needs
that you cure him... with that infinite tenderness
that kissed you, when I arrived at the ranch.

(recited)
He remained as if thinking
in his dead illusions
and while two tears were running down
two tears were running down his face...