The Holy Swan

Fair journey, O holy swan with gold wings;

O holy swan that I love, fair journey!

Carry this letter for me to the new land,

The place where my lover labours.

If it rains fly low beneath the trees,

If the sun is hot fly in the forest shadows;

If any ask you where you are going

Do not answer.

You who rise for so long a journey,

Avoid the roofs at the hour when the sun is red.

Carry this letter to the new land of my lover.

If he is faithful, give it to him;

If he has forgotten, read it to him only

And let the lightning burn it afterwards.