Ερωτόκριτος [Erotókritos] [English translation]

And he grabbed his lahout and started walking silently,

and that's how he was singing: in a sweet n sour tone on the palace.

This woman had a melodic voice like a singing bird

for every listener of her breaks down to tears and collapses.

My sweet Arethousa, have you heard the sad news:

that your father exiled me on the faraway land ?

He gave me a deadline of more-or-less four days.

After that, I shall leave forever, go to faraway places.

How can I bid you goodbye and be apart from you ?

And how can I live without you after this break-up ?

This is my case and your father rushes to marry you to

a prince, a small leader. That's what he wants for you.

And you can't resist to your parents's desires.

They run over your opinion and change your mind.

My mistress, there's only one thing I request.

And after you complete it, I shall put an end to my life:

At the time when you are engaged, start crying desperately.

And when you put on the wedding gown and get married,

burst into tears and shout: "Poor Erotocritus,

I neglected our promises, I couldn't do what you wanted."

And once per month, within your wedding room,

recall all my pain in your memory so that your heart goes out to me.

And take the painting you found within the closet

and the songs that I used to sing and that you loved very much.

And may I swear, while having bad luck, that I never found you

and that you held a dimming candle which you blew out.

And may I swear that I was taken adrift by the long hair of a woman

and that the hair is broken and that I lost anything I had in the world.

Forget about me for eternity and bash every hope away

and say that we never happened to meet each other.

I'd rather have you dead than any other by my side,

for my body was born in this world only for your sight.