29.01.2022
The Last Royal Bullfight in Salvaterra
Tradition tells usThat once upon a time
Pombal,1 in open fight
Put to an end forever
To the royal bullfights
In Salvaterra2 bullrings
Put to an end forever
To the royal bullfights
In Salvaterra bullrings
Was bullfighting on that day
Before noble nobility
The young Count of Arcos
Whose valorous blood
By unfortunate whim
In the arena laid in pools
Whose valorous blood
On an unfortunate whim
In the arena it laid in puddles
The Marquis of Marialva,
Look at the bull that tore to pieces
His so dearly loved son
And says to the King, with fervour
I swear to you my lord
The Count will be avenged
And say to the King, with fervour
I swear to you my lord
The Count will be avenged
The King denies it for fear
But in the throes of pain
The Marquis leaped to the ring
And avenges with decision
By his own hand
The blood of his race
And avenges with decision
By his own hand
The blood of his race
Then the King, who wept,
To the minister who was waiting,
He said: Marquis of Pombal
It is hereby odered
There will never be again
Another royal bullfight in my reign
It is hereby odered
There will never be again
Another royal bullfight in my reign
- 1. Marquis of Pombal
- 2. Salvaterra de Magos, in Ribatejo, used to be one of the places favoured by the Court, centuries ago. It is surrounded by woods and pasture land, horses and bulls for use in the bullfights, which are an essential ingredient in the festivals in June, and also the Fandango (a lively Portuguese and Spanish dance).