Imágenes de páginas
PDF
EPUB
[blocks in formation]

And Laos wide and fierce came rolling by.
Stanza lv. line 2.

The river Laos was full at the time the author passed it; and, immediately above Tepaleen, was to the eye as wide as the Thames at Westminster; at least in the opinion of the author and his fellow-traveller, Mr. Hobhouse. In the summer it must be much narrower. It certainly is the finest river in the Levant; neither Achelous, Alpheus, Acheron, Scamander nor Cayster, approached it in breadth or beauty.

27.

And fellow-countrymen have stood aloof.

Stanza lxvi. line 8.

Alluding to the wreckers of Cornwall.

28.

the red wine circling fast.

Stanza lxxi. line 2.

The Albanian Mussulmans do not abstain from wine, and indeed very few of the others.

29.

Each Palikar his sabre from him cast.

Stanza lxxi. line 7.

Palikar, shortened when addressed to a single person, from Пaλinagi, a general name for a soldier amongst the Greeks and Albinese who speak Romaic-it means properly" a lad.”

30.

While thus in concert, &c.

Stanza lxxii. line last.

As a specimen of the Albanian or Arnaout dialect of

the Illyric, I here insert two of their most popular choral songs, which are generally chaunted in dancing by men or women indiscriminately. The first words are merely a kind of chorus without meaning, like some in our own and all other languages.

[merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][ocr errors][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small]

Caliriot Ede vet

Calirio Ti mi

Se ti p

Si mi

Vale

Celo

[blocks in formation]

* The Albanese, particularly the women, are frequently termed "Caliriotes:" for what reason I inquired in vain.

[blocks in formation]

The last stanza would puzzle a commentator: the men have certainly buskins of the most beautiful texture, but the ladies (to whom the above is supposed to be

addressed) have nothing under their little yellow boots and slippers but a well-turned and sometimes very white ancle. The Arnaout girls are much handsomer than the Greeks, and their dress is far more picturesque. They preserve their shape much longer also, from being always in the open air. It is to be observed, that the Arnaout is not a written language; the words of this song, therefore, as well as the one which follows, are spelt according to their pronunciation. They are copied by one who speaks and understands the dialect perfectly, and who is a native of Athens.

[blocks in formation]

Ndi sefda tinde ulavossa I am wounded by thy love, Vettimi upri vi lofsa.

2.

Ah vaisisso mi privi lofse

Si mi rini mi la vosse.

and have loved but to scorch myself.

2.

Thou hast consumed me! Ah, maid! thou hast struck me to the heart.

3.

Uti tasa roba stua

Sitti eve tulati dua.

3.

I have said I wish no dowry, but thine eyes and eyelashes.

« AnteriorContinuar »