IN FOLK SONGS 121 



English version of the Countess Martinengo- 

 Cesaresco:^ — 



The swallow comes! She comes, she brings 

 Glad days and hours upon her wings. 



See on her back 



Her plumes are black, 



But all below 



As white as snow. 

 Then from your well-stored house with haste, 

 Bring sweet cakes of dainty taste. 

 Bring a flagon full of wine, 

 Wheaten meal bring, white and fine ; 

 And a platter load with cheese. 

 Eggs and porridge add — for these 

 Will the swallows not decline. 

 Now shall we go, or gifts receive ! 

 Give, or ne'er your house we leave, 

 Till we the door or lintel break. 

 Or your little wife we take ; 

 She so hght, small toil will make. 



But whate'er ye bring us forth. 



Let the gift be one of worth. 



Ope, ope your door to greet the swallows then. 



For we are only boys, not bearded men. 



This custom was continued through the 

 centuries, and, as late as one hundred years 

 ago, a traveler in Greece saw the little boys 



