European Elegies/Spring/The cuckoo
62.THE CUCKOO
The cuckoo's call rings loud and gay
Down Cuawg's vale at break of day:
For dawn demands a lavish melody.
Down Cuawg's vale at break of day:
For dawn demands a lavish melody.
By Cuawg stream the cuckoos sing
On blossomed branches of the spring;
Ah, let their full notes pour forth ceaselessly!
On blossomed branches of the spring;
Ah, let their full notes pour forth ceaselessly!
The cuckoos chant by Cuawg stream
Where spring's bright-blossomed branches gleam:
Their happy notes bring back the tears to me!
Where spring's bright-blossomed branches gleam:
Their happy notes bring back the tears to me!
By Cuawg stream the cuckoo's song
Awakens memories doubly strong
Of one who hears no more their gaiety.
Awakens memories doubly strong
Of one who hears no more their gaiety.
And while the clamorous cuckoos call
From ivied trunk and branches tall,
My heart renews its old, mute misery.
From ivied trunk and branches tall,
My heart renews its old, mute misery.
From the Old Welsh (Red Book of Hergest).