Page:Cheskian Anthology.pdf/143

132

He bought himself a mourning dress,

A dress of rosy^[1] taffety—

"Why hast thou left me in distress—

Of flowers the sweetest flower to me."

 

He bid the death-bells loudly toll^[2]

From every Turkish mosk—and ye

Might hear the heavy grave-song roll

From Turkey even to Moldawy.^[3]

 

The turk sped homeward—and the maid

Her coffin left—for purer air:

"Now God be with thee, turk!" she said,

And truth was in the maiden's prayer.

 

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1. Rose—the colour of the musselmans' mourning.
2. Hrana.—The mark of reverence paid to the dead. For three days after their decease, the bells are tolled unceassingly from twelve to one o'clock.
3. Do Moldawy—Moldavia.