Poetry Explorer- Classic Contemporary Poetry, RHODIAN SWALLOW-SONG, by RHYS CARPENTER


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Classic and Contemporary Poetry

RHODIAN SWALLOW-SONG, by                     Poet's Biography
First Line: She has come, she has come, the swallow!
Last Line: Open, open your door to the swallow!
Subject(s): Greece; Guests; Swallows; Greeks; Visiting


[Sung from house to house by children on the first day of Spring]

(AFTER THE GREEK)

SHE has come, she has come, the swallow!
The beautiful days are here;
The white-breast swallow,
The brown-back swallow
Has brought the fair of the year!

Cake and wine from that house of thine,
Beaker and basket, 'tis we that ask it,
Bread made of wheat for the swallow to eat,
Pulse and cheese the swallow to please!

Must we go further, or shall we receive?
Well if you give it, not else shall we leave.
We'll bear off the door and the lintel above
And her that's within, the wife that you love;
Little she is, 'tis nothing to carry:
Give to the swallow, no longer we'll tarry.
And give, if you give us a gift at all,
Nothing unfitting or mean or small.
Open, open your door to the swallow,
No sages be we
But children we be,
Open, open your door to the swallow!





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