Sung by Ester Cadoch Israel, Tetuán, 1956.

The princess Belizera is madly in love with the young count. She seeks advice from ladies of the court who council her to enjoy her youth or remain an old maid. Belizera runs out into the dark streets, and encounters her father’s guard. When he threatens to tell her father about her nocturnal escapades, she kills him with his own sword. Impetuously, she knocks at the count’s door but he refuses to let her in, advising her to wait until they are properly married.

All the birds slept,
These God created and more;
Belizera did not sleep,
Daughter of the emperor.

She tossed in her bed
Like a live fish in the sea;
She jumped out of bed
Like a newborn child.

She jumped out of bed
Like a newborn child;
She took a gold candlestick in one hand,
And in the other, her dagger.

She headed for the palace
Where her handmaiden was:
“Good evening, my ladv.”
“Welcome, Belizera.”

“Those who know about love
Must give me advice;
And those who will not,
Should go elsewhere.”

Miss Clara volunteered,
An old maid of advanced age:
“Enjoy your days, child,
Enjoy your youth.

I lived a miserable life
When I was your age;
Waiting for counts and dukes,
I became an old maid.”

Now Belizera leaves,
Raging through the streets;
She met Martinico,
Her father’s guard.

“What brings you, Belizera,
Through the streets at this hour?”
“My love for count Niño
Keeps me awake.”

“Tomorrow morning
I will tell the king, your father.”
“Be so kind, Martinico,
Lend me your dagger.”

The unfortunate Martinico
Gave her his dagger;
The head on his shoulders
Was hurled to the ground.

“Go now, Martinico,
Tell the king, my father.”
She headed for the palace
Where the young count was.

Gently she tapped at the door;
Nobody answered,
Except the young count
Who was awake, sleepless.

“Who is that, or what is that,
Who bangs at my door?”
“It is I, Belizera, sir count,
I come to keep you company.”

“Now go away, Belizera,
Leave, honor your father;
Tomorrow morning
I will ask your father for your hand.”

Armistead: Vol. I, pg. 125 (B17)

Sung by Ester Cadoch Israel, Tetuán, 1956.

Todas las aves dormían
cuantas Dios creaba y más;
no dormía Belizera,
la hija del emperante.

Vueltas daba en la su cama
como el peze vivo en el mare;
salto diera de la cama
como la parió su madre.

Salto diera de la cama
como la parió su madre;
tomó candil de oro en mano,
y en la otra su puñale.

Fuese para los palacios
donde su doncella yace:
“Buenas noches, mi doncella.”
“Belizera, bienvengais.”

“Las que sabían de amores
consejo me habeis de dare;
y las que no me lo dieren,
que se aparten a un lugare.

Ahí salajadro Clara niña,
moza era y de antiguedades:
“Goza vuestros días, niña,
goza vuestras mocedades.

Ansí se yo mesquina,
cuando era de vuestra edade;
aguardando a condes y duques,
moza me hubí de quedare.”

Ya se sale Belizera,
y enrabiando por la calle;
se encontró con Martinico,
el aguardín de su padre.

“¿Quién te traje, Belizera,
y a estas horas por la calle?”
“Los amores del conde Niño
que me tienen levantade.”

“Mañana por la mañana
se lo diré al rey, tu padre.”
“Por tu vida, Martinico,
empréstame tu puñale.”

Martinico, y sin fortuna,
le dierale su puñale;
la cabeza entre los hombros
al suelo se la arrojare.

“Vaite ahora, Martinico,
Contáselo al rey, mi padre.”
Fuese para los palacios
donde el conde Niño yace,

Golpecitos dió a la puerta;
nadie que la respondiera,
si no era el conde Niño
que velaba y no dormía.

“¿Quién es ese, o cuál es ese,
que a mi puerta combatía?”
“Belizera soy, señor conde,
vengo a darte compañía.”

Vete ahora, Belizera,
vaite a honrar a tu padre;
mañana por la mañana
te demandare a tu padre”.