Page:The Kobzar of the Ukraine.pdf/140

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E my mother bore
 * 'Mid lofty palace walls,

Me at midnight hour
 * In Dnieper's flood she bathed;

And bathing, she murmured
 * Over little me:


 * "Swim, swim, little maid,
 * Adown the Dnieper water,
 * You'll swim out a fairy
 * Next midnight, my daughter.
 * I go to dance with him,
 * My faithless lover;
 * You'll come and lure him
 * Into the river.
 * No more shall he laugh at me,
 * At my tears out-flowing,
 * But o'er him the Dnieper
 * It's blue water is rolling.
 * Swim out, my only one,
 * He will come to dance with thee.
 * Waves, waves, little waves,
 * Greet ye the water fairy."

Sadly she cried and ran away, As I floated down the stream.