English poem
Song
by Pierre Louÿs (1870–1925)
“Tori-tortue, what doest thou amongst us? --I wind the wool and the thread of Milet. --Alas! Alas! Why dost thou not dance? --I am very sorrowful. I am very sorrowful.
“Tori-tortue, what doest thou amongst us? --I cut a reed for a funereal flute. --Alas! Alas! What has befallen him! --I will not tell. I will not tell.
“Tori-tortue, what doest thou amongst us? --I press the olives for oil for the stèle. --Alas! Alas! And who, then, is dead? --Canst thou ask? Canst thou ask?
“Tori-tortue, what doest thou amongst us? --He has fallen into the sea.... --Alas! Alas! And how is that? --From the backs of white horses. From the backs of white horses.”