第 53 节
作者:指环王      更新:2024-01-24 16:00      字数:9322
  and are even frequently repeated by the Spaniards themselves; at
  least; by those who affect to imitate the phraseology of the
  Gitanos。  Those which appear in the present collection consist
  partly of such couplets; and partly of such as we have ourselves
  taken down; as soon as they originated; not unfrequently in the
  midst of a circle of these singular people; dancing and singing to
  their wild music。  In no instance have they been subjected to
  modification; and the English translation is; in general; very
  faithful to the original; as will easily be perceived by referring
  to the lexicon。  To those who may feel disposed to find fault with
  or criticise these songs; we have to observe; that the present work
  has been written with no other view than to depict the Gitanos such
  as they are; and to illustrate their character; and; on that
  account; we have endeavoured; as much as possible; to bring them
  before the reader; and to make them speak for themselves。  They are
  a half…civilised; unlettered people; proverbial for a species of
  knavish acuteness; which serves them in lieu of wisdom。  To place
  in the mouth of such beings the high…flown sentiments of modern
  poetry would not answer our purpose; though several authors have
  not shrunk from such an absurdity。
  These couplets have been collected in Estremadura and New Castile;
  in Valencia and Andalusia; the four provinces where the Gitano race
  most abounds。  We wish; however; to remark; that they constitute
  scarcely a tenth part of our original gleanings; from which we have
  selected one hundred of the most remarkable and interesting。
  The language of the originals will convey an exact idea of the
  Rommany of Spain; as used at the present day amongst the Gitanos in
  the fairs; when they are buying and selling animals; and wish to
  converse with each other in a way unintelligible to the Spaniards。
  We are free to confess that it is a mere broken jargon; but it
  answers the purpose of those who use it; and it is but just to
  remark that many of its elements are of the most remote antiquity;
  and the most illustrious descent; as will be shown hereafter。  We
  have uniformly placed the original by the side of the translation;
  for though unwilling to make the Gitanos speak in any other manner
  than they are accustomed; we are equally averse to have it supposed
  that many of the thoughts and expressions which occur in these
  songs; and which are highly objectionable; originated with
  ourselves。 (64)
  RHYMES OF THE GITANOS
  Unto a refuge me they led;
  To save from dungeon drear;
  Then sighing to my wife I said;
  I leave my baby dear。
  Back from the refuge soon I sped;
  My child's sweet face to see;
  Then sternly to my wife I said;
  You've seen the last of me。
  O when I sit my courser bold;
  My bantling in my rear;
  And in my hand my musket hold;
  O how they quake with fear。
  Pray; little baby; pray the Lord;
  Since guiltless still thou art;
  That peace and comfort he afford
  To this poor troubled heart。
  The false Juanito; day and night;
  Had best with caution go;
  The Gypsy carles of Yeira height
  Have sworn to lay him low。
  There runs a swine down yonder hill;
  As fast as e'er he can;
  And as he runs he crieth still;
  Come; steal me; Gypsy man。
  I wash'd not in the limpid flood
  The shirt which binds my frame;
  But in Juanito Ralli's blood
  I bravely wash'd the same。
  I sallied forth upon my grey;
  With him my hated foe;
  And when we reach'd the narrow way
  I dealt a dagger blow。
  To blessed Jesus' holy feet
  I'd rush to kill and slay
  My plighted lass so fair and sweet;
  Should she the wanton play。
  I for a cup of water cried;
  But they refus'd my prayer;
  Then straight into the road I hied;
  And fell to robbing there。
  I ask'd for fire to warm my frame;
  But they'd have scorn'd my prayer;
  If I; to pay them for the same;
  Had stripp'd my body bare。
  Then came adown the village street;
  With little babes that cry;
  Because they have no crust to eat;
  A Gypsy company;
  And as no charity they meet;
  They curse the Lord on high。
  I left my house and walk'd about;
  They seized me fast and bound;
  It is a Gypsy thief; they shout;
  The Spaniards here have found。
  From out the prison me they led;
  Before the scribe they brought;
  It is no Gypsy thief; he said;
  The Spaniards here have caught。
  Throughout the night; the dusky night;
  I prowl in silence round;
  And with my eyes look left and right;
  For him; the Spanish hound;
  That with my knife I him may smite;
  And to the vitals wound。
  Will no one to the sister bear
  News of her brother's plight;
  How in this cell of dark despair;
  To cruel death he's dight?
  The Lord; as e'en the Gentiles state;
  By Egypt's race was bred;
  And when he came to man's estate;
  His blood the Gentiles shed。
  O never with the Gentiles wend;
  Nor deem their speeches true;
  Or else; be certain in the end
  Thy blood will lose its hue。
  From out the prison me they bore;
  Upon an ass they placed;
  And scourg'd me till I dripp'd with gore;
  As down the road it paced。
  They bore me from the prison nook;
  They bade me rove at large;
  When out I'd come a gun I took;
  And scathed them with its charge。
  My mule so bonny I bestrode;
  To Portugal I'd flee;
  And as I o'er the water rode
  A man came suddenly;
  And he his love and kindness show'd
  By setting his dog on me。
  Unless within a fortnight's space
  Thy face; O maid; I see;
  Flamenca; of Egyptian race;
  My lady love shall be。
  Flamenca; of Egyptian race;
  If thou wert only mine;
  Within a bonny crystal case
  For life I'd thee enshrine。
  Sire nor mother me caress;
  For I have none on earth;
  One little brother I possess;
  And he's a fool by birth。
  Thy sire and mother wrath and hate
  Have vow'd against me; love!
  The first; first night that from the gate
  We two together rove。
  Come to the window; sweet love; do;
  And I will whisper there;
  In Rommany; a word or two;
  And thee far off will bear。
  A Gypsy stripling's sparkling eye
  Has pierced my bosom's core;
  A feat no eye beneath the sky
  Could e'er effect before。
  Dost bid me from the land begone;
  And thou with child by me?
  Each time I come; the little one;
  I'll greet in Rommany。
  With such an ugly; loathly wife
  The Lord has punish'd me;
  I dare not take her for my life
  Where'er the Spaniards be。
  O; I am not of gentle clan;
  I'm sprung from Gypsy tree;
  And I will be no gentleman;
  But an Egyptian free。
  On high arose the moon so fair;
  The Gypsy 'gan to sing:
  I see a Spaniard coming there;
  I must be on the wing。
  This house of harlotry doth smell;
  I flee as from the pest;
  Your mother likes my sire too well;
  To hie me home is best。
  The girl I love more dear than life;
  Should other gallant woo;
  I'd straight unsheath my dudgeon knife
  And cut his weasand through;
  Or he; the conqueror in the strife;
  The same to me should do。
  Loud sang the Spanish cavalier;
  And thus his ditty ran:
  God send the Gypsy lassie here;
  And not the Gypsy man。
  At midnight; when the moon began
  To show her silver flame;
  There came to him no Gypsy man;
  The Gypsy lassie came。
  CHAPTER II
  THE Gitanos; abject and vile as they have ever been; have
  nevertheless found admirers in Spain; individuals who have taken
  pleasure in their phraseology; pronunciation; and way of life; but
  above all; in the songs and dances of the females。  This desire for
  cultivating their acquaintance is chiefly prevalent in Andalusia;
  where; indeed; they most abound; and more especially in the town of
  Seville; the capital of the province; where; in the barrio or
  Faubourg of Triana; a large Gitano colon has long flourished; with
  the denizens of which it is at all times easy to have intercourse;
  especially to those who are free of their money; and are willing to
  purchase such a gratification at the expense of dollars and
  pesetas。
  When we consider the character of the Andalusians in general; we
  shall find little to surprise us in this predilection for the
  Gitanos。  They are an indolent frivolous people; fond of dancing
  and song; and sensual amusements。  They live under the most
  glorious sun and benign heaven in Europe; and their country is by
  nature