A Pretty Shepherdess

A pastoral poem by an unknown poet; it was published by Nikolaos Drimytinos in 1627. It is a unique example of this genre that has survived from the Venetian period and the most significant one in the Greek literature and European pastoral poetry of its time.  

The extract set to music heard here is sung by Kostas Mountakis; some lines have been altered.

Exiled to a (ravine)

I went to the flock one morning,

to trees, (meadows), rivers,

to fresh and tender reeds.

Amidst the blooming trees

where the poor (young deer) grazed,

under a young apple tree

I saw a (shepherdess); she was asleep,

holding a young lamb.

She was a sight for sore eyes,

dressed in white (attire)

brilliant like the starry sky.

I approached and looked into her eyes,

And my (heart) broke into three pieces,

for her eyes were filled with (archers)

shooting arrows to get me…

 

Kostas Moundakis (lyre, voice), Giorgis Xilouris or Psarogiorgis (lute)

'Ελεγχος