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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； pronun