Robert Elsie

Albanian Literature | Early Authors

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Muçi ZADE   Lord, don't leave me without coffee By the wonders of the prophets, By the saints that we acknowledge, Let me break no fast a-thirsting, Lord, don't leave me without coffee. By the honour of Fatima, And Meyreme, don't reject me With a plate of salty yoghurt, Lord, don't leave me without coffee... Lord, don't let me break my fast with Nought to eat but syrup, honey, Oh God, you are my salvation, Lord, don't leave me without coffee. In the Holy Month we're marking, Please forgive our sins, we're old folk, By the angels up in heaven, Lord, don't leave me without coffee. By the one whose name means mercy, By Mohammed, fame be to him, Don't desert me with hulled barley, Lord, don't leave me without coffee. To the Lord prays Muçi Zade, For he wallows in much woe with Neither rice nor tapioca, Lord, don't leave me without coffee! [Imzot, mos më lerë pa kahve, 1724. Translated by Robert Elsie]