An Anthology of Jugoslav Poetry; Serbian Lyrics Part 25

J. W. W.

Cx.x.xVII

A BRIDE'S DEVOTION

A Bride most fair fed a swan and a lion, A swan and a lion and a falcon grey.

To her came merchants from far away: "Sell us, sweet maid, your swan and your lion, This swan and this lion and falcon grey!"

"Ye men from afar, go away, go away, My G.o.dfather cometh to see me wed, And this lion I tend till the time be sped; And for my true friend who best man shall be, This white swan I keep, and for none but he!

But this falcon grey ye covet so much, 'Tis my true love's own; none shall it touch."

J. W. W.

Cx.x.xVIII

FIDELITY

A youth to G.o.d did pray, About his sweetheart dear, That he the gem might be Which trembled in her ear.

He wished to be the beads Reposing on her breast, That he might hear her say That she loved him best.

The prayer he prayed was heard A pearl beside the sh.o.r.e, His darling picked him up, And on her necklet bore.

He listened and he heard How true her loving heart: She told the other maids She ne'er from him would part.

J. W. W.

Cx.x.xIX

A SISTER'S LAMENT

Sister was I of kingly brothers three, But now my kings are gone from me, Woe, woe, woe!

Better kingdoms they are asking, Better work than this world's tasking, And G.o.d will grant it, where they go, Better service He'll bestow, But for me, alas! Oh! woe!

So kingly brothers ne'er were known, Now my heart breaketh here alone.

This world for me too dark is now, And I took dark for it, I trow!

Woe, woe, woe!

J. W. W.

CXL

THE PRAYER OF KARAGEORGE'S LADY[38]

Prayed of G.o.d the Karageorge's Lady!

"Give me, G.o.d, to bear a maiden lovely, Patternized by Carapi['c]a Vasa, Grant us, O G.o.d, to choose name of beauty, Name of beauty, precious gold of mother.

When shall come the baby, christen'd Goldie, Swaddling clothes her mother will then make her, Flowing clothes of linen for her infant, All of silk and cloth of gold so beauteous, As she's Goldie let gold bless her slumber.

When she's come to her little cradle, Then her mother will make little cradle, Little cradle of gold will she make her, As she's Goldie, let cradle be golden.

When Goldie is grown up to be spinner, Spinning-wheel her mother then will make her, Of gold will she make her golden spindle, As she's Goldie let her wheel be golden.

When Goldie knows how to embroider, Golden frame her mother will then make her, Of gold will she make her spinning trinket, As she's Goldie, may her work be golden."[39]

B. S. S.

CXLI

THOU ART EVER, EVER MINE[40]

O my girl, O my soul, What does mother say to you?

Will she marry you to me?

Her son-in-law can I be?

She might give you, she might not, Thou art ever, ever mine!

B. S. S.

CXLII

SEA MERCHANT[41]

Listen, my girl, listen, my beauty!

Thy eyes are corals in the sea, I am a merchant on the sea Buying the riches of the sea.

Listen, my girl, listen, my beauty!

Thy teeth are tiniest pearls, I am a merchant on the sea Buying tiniest pearls of the sea.