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FAMOUS SONGS
Professor Longfellow, in his "Poets and Poetry of Europe," gives this:
" Malbrouck, the prince of commanders, Is gone to the war in Flanders. His fame is like Alexander' sr But when will he come home ?''
Here is the best literal translation:
" Malbrough is gone to the wars. Ah, when will he return ?
"' He will come back by Easter, lady, or at latest by Trinity.'
"' No, no; Easter is past, and Trinity is past ; but Malbrough has not returned.'
" Then did she climb the castle tower to look out for his coming. She saw his page, but he was clad in black.
"' My page, my bonnie page/ cried the lady, ' what tidings bring you—what tidings of my lord?'
" ' T h e news I bring/ said the page, 'is very sad, and will make you weep. Lay aside your gay attire, lady, your ornaments of gold and silver, for my lord is dead. He is dead, lady, and laid in earth. I saw him borne to his last home by four officers. One carried his cuirass, one his shield, one his sword, and the fourth walked beside the bier, but bore nothing. They
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