Song XII pg. 34

Song XII

In a cloud, dust stirs[1] from the earth

The daredevil[2] regiments race off

After them, in their tracks

Great, plaintive swallows[3] cuckoos cry cuckoo

            Seven trumpets sound

            After the deployment march

            Great cuckoos, great doves

            Sing plaintively, lamentingly

Mother cries, girlfriend cries

They almost drown in tears

As from [your] horse, you, daredevil

Take leave of them both

            [My] son, [my] heart, darling, golden

            May God be with you

            In tears over you, we orphans,

            Remember us everywhere

Mother, mother, take [this] sorrow from me

Don’t have sorrow on [your] tongue

My horse augurs something evil

It’s constantly stumbling under me

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[1] Literally “blows”

[2] The word translated as “daredevil” (extended meaning) originally means “Cossack”

[3] Crossed out in original