[Glenn Wright]

Hi, Julie—

Lovely job with this sonnet. Thanks for the explanatory notes. I never would have been able to figure out Rueda’s poem without them.

In S1 I was confused by “peregrinas.” I first thought that since the fruit came from a distant continent, it was being compared to a wealthy woman on a religious pilgrimage. (I couldn’t help but think of the Wife of Bath). I checked in my dictionary and discovered that “peregrina” as an adjective can also mean “rare” or “exotic,” which a pilgrim in a foreign land would certainly be. The addition of the veil was a clever way of suggesting a nun’s veil or a mantilla that might be worn by a modest, religious woman hiding her charms.

Nopales are frequently encountered in Mexican cuisine, but I haven’t heard of them being used in Spanish cooking. Are these a different sweet species that is eaten raw?

Very enjoyable and educational. Thanks!

Glenn