I.

By the Arghisch river, By the bonny brim, Goes the Voyvod Negru,[26] Other ten with him. Nine of these his comrades, Master masons be, And the tenth is Manoll, Masters’ master he. And the ten are questing, Where along the tide They shall build the minster, And their fame beside. Then as on they stray, Meets them on the way A shepherd lad, that ditty sad Upon his pipe doth play.

“Shepherd lad, dear shepherd lad, Mournful ditty playing, Up the river has thy flock And hast thou been straying? Down have strayed both thou and they, Down along the river? In thy wanderings where hast been, Say, hast thou a building seen Standing by the river, Built of moss-grown ancient stone, All unfinished and alone, Where the hazels, green and lank, Shoot amid the copsewood dank?”

“Ay, my master, that have I Sighted as I wandered by; Sooth, a wall doth on the strand Lonely and unfinished stand, At whose sight my hounds in haste Howling fled across the waste!”

When this word the prince had heard, Joyful man was he: “Haste away! come, no delay, Haste thee instantly; These, my master masons nine, Lead unto yon wall, And Manoll the tenth, that is Master of them all.”

“See ye yonder wall of mine? Know that here the spot I name For the sacred cloister’s shrine, For my everlasting fame. Now, ye mighty masters all, Fellows of the builder’s craft, Haste away! night and day Raise ye, build ye, roof and wall. Build a cloister worthy me, Such as never men did see; Fail to build it as I say, I will build you instantly, Build you living, every one, ’Neath the pile’s foundation-stone.”