Classic Poem

I.

From the south they come,
The birds, the warlike birds, with sounding wings.

I wish to change myself
To the body of that swift bird.

I throw away my body in the strife.

II.

The warrior speaks to the war-bird, and says:
From time to time, I dwell in a bird.
The bird says to him:
I answer you, my son-in-law.