Page:Poetry of the Magyars.djvu/203

Rh COTTAGER'S SONG.

Nem adott az Isten nékem nagy palotát.

elegant palace God raised o'er my head,

Rich tapestry gave not, nor silk to my bed;

But a cottage of peace, and a rude, healthy life,

And, to crown my enjoyments, a brown, cheerful wife.

Together we earn the coarse bread which we eat,

And love makes it taste more delightfully sweet;

When our labours are ended, together we rest,

And each to the other's bare bosom is prest.

The sun rises up—and we rise, full of joy,

Full of strength, to the busy day's wonted employ.

Then the spring dawns in green, and the fields smile anew,

And every fresh flow'ret is dripping with dew;

And the song of the lark pours its melodies sweet,

Like a zephyr of freshness on summer's close heat.

Then comes the gay vintage—the red grapes we bear,

And alike of the labor and recompence share.

The winter puts on its white robes—we retire

At even—and bend o'er our own cottage fire.

My Sari turns round the gay spindle and sings,

And out of our happiness time makes its wings.

I have handicraft labors—and, happy the thought,

For this pay no taxes to Germans—nor ought. Rh