4. Maid of Athens! I am gone: Think of me, sweet! when alone. Athens holds my heart and soul: VIII. Translation of the famous Greek War Song, Δεύτε παῖδες τῶν 'EAλvwv, written by Riga, who perished in the attempt to revolutionize Greece. The following translation is as literal as the author could make it in verse; it is of the same measure as that of the original. See Appendix. SONS of the Greeks, arise! The glorious hour's gone forth, And, worthy of such ties, Display who gave us birth. Constantinople. CHORUS. Sons of Greeks! let us go In arms against the foe, Till their hated blood shall flow In a river past our feet. 2. Then manfully despising Let your country see you rising, Brave shades of chiefs and sages, Behold the coming strife! Hellenes of past ages, Oh, start again to life! At the sound of my trumpet, breaking Sons of Greeks, &c. * Constantinople. “Erlaλopos.” 3. Sparta, Sparta, why in slumbers Awake, and join thy numbers With Athens, old ally! Leonidas recalling, That chief of ancient song, Who sav'd ye once from falling, The terrible! the strong! Who made that bold diversion And warring with the Persian To keep his country free; With his three hundred waging And like a lion raging, Sons of Greeks, &c. IX. Translation of the Romaic Song, • Μπενώ μες Ἴό περιβόλι The song from which this is taken is a great favourite with the young girls of Athens of all classes. Their manner of singing it is by verses in rotation, the whole number present joining in the chorus. I have heard it frequently at our " Xopo" in the winter of 1810-11. The air is plaintive and pretty. 1. I ENTER thy garden of roses, Each morning where Flora reposes, For surely I see her in thee. Oh, Lovely! thus low I implore thee, Receive this fond truth from my tongue, Which utters its song to adore thee, Yet trembles for what it has sung; As the branch, at the bidding of Nature, Adds fragrance and fruit to the tree, Through her eyes, through her every feature, Shines the soul of the young Haideé. 2. But the loveliest garden grows hateful But when drunk to escape from thy malice, My heart from these horrors to save : Will nought to my bosom restore thee? Then open the gates of the grave. |