128 THE SWALLOW 



I went to Monserrat ; 

 In bed you are still ? 

 Get up with a will ! 

 Get up and equal that ! 



In place of good cheer and homely advice, 

 some children ask the friendly swallow for 

 sympathy in their sorrow. A Greek maiden 

 who is grieving over the departure of a 

 loved one begs the swallows to cease their 

 gay chatter and to join in her lament : — 



To Sweet Basil I cried, 

 When behold ! I espied 

 In its branches widespread, 

 A rose rear its head. 



. Then the swallows there clinging 

 Set up a loud singing, — 

 O, my swallows ! I pray, 

 Cease your songs on this day, 



For my heart's core, my own, 

 Far away has he gone ; 

 Far from port he is sailing. 

 Where tempests are wailing. 



O, my swallows, I pray. 

 Do not sing on this day ! 

 But change your gay ditty 

 To low sobs of pity. 



