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entitled in every essential point to the name of poetry； if poetry
mean metrical compositions intended to soothe and recreate the mind
fatigued by the cares； distresses； and anxieties to which mortality
is subject。
The Gypsies too have their poetry。 Of that of the Russian Zigani
we have already said something。 It has always been our opinion；
and we believe that in this we are by no means singular； that in
nothing can the character of a people be read with greater
certainty and exactness than in its songs。 How truly do the
warlike ballads of the Northmen and the Danes； their DRAPAS and
KOEMPE…VISER； depict the character of the Goth； and how equally do
the songs of the Arabians； replete with homage to the one high；
uncreated； and eternal God； 'the fountain of blessing；' 'the only
conqueror；' lay bare to us the mind of the Moslem of the desert；
whose grand characteristic is religious veneration； and
uncompromising zeal for the glory of the Creator。
And well and truly do the coplas and gachaplas of the Gitanos
depict the character of the race。 This poetry； for poetry we will
call it； is in most respects such as might be expected to originate
among people of their class； a set of Thugs； subsisting by cheating
and villainy of every description； hating the rest of the human
species； and bound to each other by the bonds of common origin；
language； and pursuits。 The general themes of this poetry are the
various incidents of Gitano life and the feelings of the Gitanos。
A Gypsy sees a pig running down a hill； and imagines that it cries
'Ustilame Caloro！' （62） … a Gypsy reclining sick on the prison
floor beseeches his wife to intercede with the alcayde for the
removal of the chain； the weight of which is bursting his body …
the moon arises； and two Gypsies； who are about to steal a steed；
perceive a Spaniard； and instantly flee … Juanito Ralli； whilst
going home on his steed； is stabbed by a Gypsy who hates him …
Facundo； a Gypsy； runs away at the sight of the burly priest of
Villa Franca； who hates all Gypsies。 Sometimes a burst of wild
temper gives occasion to a strain … the swarthy lover threatens to
slay his betrothed； even AT THE FEET OF JESUS； should she prove
unfaithful。 It is a general opinion amongst the Gitanos that
Spanish women are very fond of Rommany chals and Rommany。 There is
a stanza in which a Gitano hopes to bear away a beauty of Spanish
race by means of a word of Rommany whispered in her ear at the
window。
Amongst these effusions are even to be found tender and beautiful
thoughts； for Thugs and Gitanos have their moments of gentleness。
True it is that such are few and far between； as a flower or a
shrub is here and there seen springing up from the interstices of
the rugged and frightful rocks of which the Spanish sierras are
composed： a wicked mother is afraid to pray to the Lord with her
own lips； and calls on her innocent babe to beseech him to restore
peace and comfort to her heart … an imprisoned youth appears to
have no earthly friend on whom he can rely； save his sister； and
wishes for a messenger to carry unto her the tale of his
sufferings； confident that she would hasten at once to his
assistance。 And what can be more touching than the speech of the
relenting lover to the fair one whom he has outraged？
'Extend to me the hand so small；
Wherein I see thee weep；
For O thy balmy tear…drops all
I would collect and keep。'
This Gypsy poetry consists of quartets； or rather couplets； but two
rhymes being discernible； and those generally imperfect； the vowels
alone agreeing in sound。 Occasionally； however； sixains； or
stanzas of six lines； are to be found； but this is of rare
occurrence。 The thought； anecdote or adventure described； is
seldom carried beyond one stanza； in which everything is expressed
which the poet wishes to impart。 This feature will appear singular
to those who are unacquainted with the character of the popular
poetry of the south； and are accustomed to the redundancy and
frequently tedious repetition of a more polished muse。 It will be
well to inform such that the greater part of the poetry sung in the
south； and especially in Spain； is extemporary。 The musician
composes it at the stretch of his voice； whilst his fingers are
tugging at the guitar； which style of composition is by no means
favourable to a long and connected series of thought。 Of course；
the greater part of this species of poetry perishes as soon as
born。 A stanza； however； is sometimes caught up by the bystanders；
and committed to memory； and being frequently repeated； makes； in
time； the circuit of the country。 For example； the stanza about
Coruncho Lopez； which was originally made at the gate of a venta by
a Miquelet； （63） who was conducting the said Lopez to the galleys
for a robbery。 It is at present sung through the whole of the
peninsula； however insignificant it may sound to foreign ears：…
'Coruncho Lopez； gallant lad；
A smuggling he would ride；
He stole his father's ambling prad；
And therefore to the galleys sad
Coruncho now I guide。'
The couplets of the Gitanos are composed in the same off…hand
manner； and exactly resemble in metre the popular ditties of the
Spaniards。 In spirit； however； as well as language； they are in
general widely different； as they mostly relate to the Gypsies and
their affairs； and not unfrequently abound with abuse of the Busne
or Spaniards。 Many of these creations have； like the stanza of
Coruncho Lopez； been wafted over Spain amongst the Gypsy tribes；
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； wh