Esthonian Bridal Song. From the German. Esthonia. Henry Wadsworth Longfellow, ed. 1876-79. Poems of Places: An Anthology in 31 Volumes. Russia: Vol. XX

Henry Wadsworth Longfellow, ed. Poems of Places: An Anthology in 31 Volumes.
Russia: Vol. XX. 1876–79.

Esthonia

Esthonian Bridal Song

From the German


Translated by W. Taylor DECK thyself, maiden,
With the hood of thy mother;
Put on the ribands
Which thy mother once wore:
On thy head the band of duty,	5
On thy forehead the band of care.
Sit in the seat of thy mother,
And walk in thy mother’s footsteps.
And weep not, weep not, maiden:
If thou weepest in thy bridal attire,	10
Thou wilt weep all thy life.