Cignus ustus cantat
Olim lacus colueram,
olim pulcher extiteram,
dum cignus ego fueram.
Miser, miser!
modo niger
et ustus fortiter!
Girat, regirat garcifer;
me rogus urit fortiter;
propinat me nunc dapifer.
Miser, miser!
modo niger
et ustus fortiter!
Nunc in scutella iaceo,
et volitare nequeo
dentes frendentes video:
Miser, miser!
modo niger
et ustus fortiter!
Burnt Swan Sings
Once I lived on a lake,
once I was beautiful,
while I was a swan.
Wretched, wretched!
now black
and burnt fiercely!
It spins, spins around the funeral pyre;
the pyre burns me fiercely;
now the cook serves me.
Wretched, wretched!
now black
and burnt fiercely!
Now I lie on a platter,
and I cannot fly
I see gnashing teeth:
Wretched, wretched!
now black
and burnt fiercely!