228 THE EXPLORATION OF THE NIGER their occupations are so much ah'ke their sympathies will go out to their sisters in the distant desert.

I can even add that Tuareg verses will always scan, and that they all rhyme. Surely this is a good deal more than can be said of the effusions of most female scribblers !

The men too write poetry sometimes. I have not time or space to give specimens of the productions of these writers of the Niger districts ; but I cannot refrain from quoting two examples given by Commandant Hanotaux in his Tamschek grammar, which were written by Tuaregs of the north.

The first is a madrigal, composed and transcribed in the album of a young lady of Algiers by Bedda of Ida. It must be observed that Bedda was the first Tuareg to visit Algeria.

I speak ; and, Angelina, thine the name !

Love in my heart for thee can never die. What son of Adam may endure the flame That burns within that dark, alluring eye ? For love of thee, enslavM by thy glance, I e'en would journey forth afar to France !

Who holds thee, Angelina, in his arms.

May dream secure, the fairest vision thou ! We thought no human limbs the lissom charm Of fleet gazelles could e'er surpass, but now, Since we have seen thy perfect form and face. We know that we were wrong ; thou hast all grace !

If thou shouldst come to us, come to our land.

Each man among us would go forth to thee And sue thy favour ; and should one demand What price I'd pay could I but purchase thee, I ween, for such possession I would give, indeed, Six thousand golden pieces, or my steed ! * * It will be understood that the translations in the English text of the free translations of the originals can only give an approximate idea of the poems quoted. — Trans,