I saw three witches as the wind blew cold In a red light to the lee; Bold they were and over-bold As they sailed over the sea; Calling for One, Two, Three! Calling for One, Two, Three! And I think I can hear It a-ringing in my ear, A-calling for the One, Two, Three. And clouds came over the sky, And the wind it blew hard and free, And the waves grew bold and over-bold As we sailed over the sea; Howling for One, Two, Three! Howling for their One, Two, Three! Oh I think I can hear It a-ringing in my ear, A-howling for their One, Two, Three! And the storm came roaring on, Such a storm as I never did see, And the storm it was bold and over-bold, And as bad as a storm could be; A-roaring for its One, Two, Three! A-howling for its One, Two, Three! Oh I think I can hear It a-howling in my ear, A-growling for its One, Two, Three! And a wave came over the deck, As big as a wave could be, And it took away the captain and the mate and a man: It had got the One, Two, Three! And it went with the One, Two, Three! Oh I think I can hear It a-rolling in my ear, As it went with the One, Two, Three. This being cheered, I said, “Some time ago I made a song in the Italian tongue About a witch and pirate—which for you Shall, if you like, be now in English sung.” “No, give it first,” cried Saltonstall, “by jingo! In its own nateral, Eyetalian lingo; What I don’t know of it ain’t worth a cent; Even to Rome I several times have went, In Naples, too, I’ve had full many a turn And know old Spartivento like a dern; And most of us, I reckon—though we’re Yankee— Can go the Dago, or some _lingua frankey_. We ain’t so ignorant of what we know; So go ahead, Signor—_prestissimo_! Ef we don’t catch the sense ’twill be a pity.”— So thus encouraged I began my ditty: LA BELLA STREGA Era una bella strega Che si bagnava alla riva; Vennero i pirati, Lei presero captiva. Il vento era in poppa, Sull’onde la nave ballò, La donna lacrimante Al capitan parlò: “O Signor Capitano! O Capitan’ del mar! Daro cento ducati Se tu mi lasci andar!” “Non prenderò cento ducati, Tu costi molto più, Io te vendrò al Sultano,” Disse il Capitano “Per mille zecchini d’oro Vi stimi troppo giù.” “Non vuoi i cento ducati. Ebben, tu non gli avrai, Ho un’amante amato Non mi abbandona mai.” Essa sedé sul ponte, Principiò a cantar: “Vieni il mio amante!” Da lontano il vento Si mette a mugghiar.