Arany János - Győrei Zsolt (szerk.): The trill of the nightingale (Budapest, 2019)
V - „'Tis enough if it shines for me” - Corn Husking (Thomas Cooper)
Corn Husking The crackling fire lights up the lea, Casts sparks as far as eye can see, A smattering of trees stands by, With shadows stretching dreadful arms, And huddled close around the fire The lasses, lads from nearby farms. “To work, to work, the corn’s piled high! And hush your whispers, dusk is nigh. The first to find a russet cob Will wed before the harvest comes! So toss more wood upon the blaze, And take care not to burn your thumbs. A pretty girl was Ester Trell, An orphaned lass, so I’ve heard tell, Too young to labor in the field, To sweat beneath the blazing sun,- The night is cold, the chill winds chide! - Half stooping till the day is done! She walks across the field in haste, The sickle at her slender waist. The bristles of the half-cut wheat Don’t hurt her tender, naked feet,- The moon is rising, bright and full - Her shapely form is supple, sweet. Frank Tubbs is tending to the flock On lowland plains of mud and rock. He’s doleful, woeful, plays his pipe, His plaintive measures wane and swell,- The dog! I think he spied a fox! - He plays his times for Ester Trell. 8+ 85
