Note 21 — Basque Poetry.

This song is prettily translated in Miss Costello’s “Béarn and the Pyrénées,” London, 1844, where are also translations of some other Basque songs, the originals of which I have failed to trace.

Borne on thy wings amidst the air,

Sweet bird, where wilt thou go?

For if thou wouldst to Spain repair,

The ports are filled with snow.

Wait, and we will fly together,

When the Spring brings sunny weather.

St. Joseph’s Hermitage is lone,

Amidst the desert bare,

And when we on our way are gone,

Awhile we’ll rest us there;

As we pursue our mountain track,

Shall we not sigh as we look back?

Go to my love, oh! gentle sigh,

And near her chamber hover nigh;

Glide to her heart, make that thy shrine,

As she is fondly kept in mine.

Then thou may’st tell her it is I

Who sent thee to her, gentle sigh!