132 THE SWALLOW 



The young man of Roumania is not content 

 with a sigh — he begs her to bear a note to 

 some far-away land : — 



Swallow, little bird free, 

 Will'st a message bear for me ? 

 Take this note to far off land, 

 Drop it in my sweetheart's hand. 



Should she ask from whence it came. 

 Should she seek the writer's name, 

 Say : " The one from whom I've flown ' 

 Loves thee, darling, thee alone." 



— Translated by Henry Phillips, Jr. 



The Italian wants still more — he would 

 have a feather from her wing with which to 

 pen the note for her to carry, using his own 

 heart as a seal : — 



O swallow, flying o'er the sea. 

 Stop awhile and list to me. 

 A feather from your wings so bright 

 Give, that I to my love may write. 

 With my lifeblood I'll reveal it. 

 With my own heart I will seal it, 

 And when all is neatly done, 

 Take it to my dearest one. 



Neither sighs nor notes will satisfy the 



Portuguese youth. He asks the little bird 



