Studies in Folk-Song and Popular PoetryWilliams, Alfred M. (Alfred Mason)
History
Studies in Folk-Song and Popular Poetry
Williams, Alfred M. (Alfred Mason)
Folk songs -- History and criticism
And look for Portugal or Spain."
"The coast of Portugal or Spain
On either side I cannot see;
But seven swords drawn from their sheaths
Shine bright and bare to slaughter thee."
"Higher, higher, my little sailor,
On the top-gallant take your stand,
Try and see the coast of Portugal,
Or of Spain the shining strand."
"What reward, my gallant captain!
Both Spain and Portugal I see,
I also see three lovely maidens
Seated beneath an orange tree.
" The eldest of them sews a seam,
Another spins a shining thread,
The fairest sits between the two,
And hangs in tears her lovely head."
"My darling daughters are all the three,
I love them dearer than my life.
For your reward, my little sailor,
The loveliest shall be your wife."
"I do not wish your darling daughter;
The cost of love would be my bane."
"I 'll give you gold beyond your count."
"It cost you too much strife to gain."
"I 'll give to you my courier white,
A nobler never felt the rein."
"I do not want your courier white,
It cost you too much toil to train."
"I 'll give to you my gallant ship,
Upon the seas to sail at will."
"I do not want your gallant ship,
To navigate I have no skill."
"What reward then, little sailor,
Do you demand that I should pay?"
"I want your soul, my gallant captain,
Your soul with me to take away."
"Demon, your claim I do deny.
I will not yield my soul to thee.
My soul belongs to God above,
My body I 'll give to the sea."
An angel caught him in her arms,
And drew him from the boiling spray.
The demon flew; at eve the ship
Was anchored safe within the bay.
It is somewhat singular that with all the enterprise of the Portuguese
upon the sea during their period of national glory, their perilous and
adventurous navigations, and their many successful engagements in marine
warfare, there should be so few ballads relating to the sea-faring
exploits. There is one, however, Don Juan d'Armada, which seems to
relate to some definite victory over the Turks, but the occasion and
even the name of the hero are not recorded in authentic history. It has
many features, however, which would indicate that it was the account of
an actual event.
DON JUAN D'ARMADA.
His Majesty, God guard him, gave order for the fleet
To sail at early daybreak the Turkish foe to meet.
The admiral's ship at midnight fires the signal gun,
And to the quay distracted the maids and matrons run.
Sons and lovers they embrace; they weep with bitter tears;
Their voices break with sorrow; their hearts are swelled with
fears.
On board the busy vessels the noises grow more loud,
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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