Living

Song of the Vesprems

by Anonymous Hungarian Popular Songs traditional

Translated by John Bowring (1830) · From Poetry of the Magyars (1830)

Living

Upon the ground, I found, I found, a tre-tre-treasure;
I guide my boat, when once afloat—and hur-hur-
Hurry to the Inchian lands, where mine own beloved stands.

I go, I go, to Baknéjo, my fa-fa-father-land;
And all the scene, is fair and green; an or-or-
Orphan was I once, but now covet I a maiden's vow.

Amidst the throng, I sought her long—and haste-haste-hastened
By joy impell'd—my glass I held—and rest-rest-
Rested on my plighted faith-strong as love, and strong as death.

Let no disdain, sweet maiden, pain thy love-love-lover,
But let us share our frugal fare—be hap-hap-
Happy on those gifts to live, which the Papa-field shall give.

Some simple dish of bread and fish—our dai-dai-dainties:
Hungarians brave—no more would have. The coach-coach-
Coachmen swiftest steeds convey, but the blind-man gropes his way.

And thus, and thus, sweet maid for us, shall age, age, ages,
With gentle tread, glide o'er our head—and he-he-
Heaven's benignity divine, grant us bread and grant us wine.

MLA

Anonymous Hungarian Popular Songs. “Song of the Vesprems.” Translated by John Bowring. Poetry Codex, poetrycodex.com/poem/anonymous-hungarian/24/.

Chicago

Anonymous Hungarian Popular Songs. “Song of the Vesprems.” Translated by John Bowring. Poetry Codex. https://poetrycodex.com/poem/anonymous-hungarian/24/.

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