An Anthology of Jugoslav Poetry; Serbian Lyrics Part 11

LIX

WITCHES

The sky is cover'd with stars again: The plains are cover'd with flocks of sheep: But where is the shepherd? On the plain The shepherd is lost in careless sleep: The youthful Radoje sleeps:--Arise!

Awake! his sister Jania cries.

"Jania! sister nay! depart!

My body to witches is plighted: My mother has torn away my heart, And my aunt my mother lighted."

S. J. B.

LX

PLEDGES

The wind was with the roses playing: To Ranko's tent it blew their leaves: Milica, Ranko, there were staying, And Ranko writes--Milica weaves.

His letter done, he drops his pen: Her finish'd web she throws aside: And lo! I heard the lover then Low whisper to his promised bride: "Milica! tell me truly now And dost thou love me--love me best?

Or heavy is thy nuptial vow?"-- And thus the maid the youth address'd: "O trust me--thou my heart--my soul-- That thou art dearer far to me-- Far dearer, Ranko! than the whole Of brothers--many though they be: And that the vows we pledged together Are lighter than the lightest feather."

S. J. B.

LXI

COMPLAINT

O flower! so lovely in thy bloom, Be evil fate thy mother's doom!

Thy mother, who so kindly nurst, And sent thee to our village first.

Where heroes o'er their cups romancing, And our young striplings stones are flinging, And our delighted brides are dancing, And our gay maidens songs are singing-- 'Twas then I saw thee, lovely flower!

And lost my quiet from that hour.

S. J. B.

LXII

SONG

The winter is gone, Beloved, arise!

The spring is come on, The birds are all singing: Beloved, arise!

The roses are springing; Earth laughs out in love: Beloved, arise!

And thou, my sweet dove!

O waste not thy time: Beloved, arise.

Enjoy the sweet bliss Of a kiss--of a kiss: Beloved, arise In the hour of thy prime, Beloved, arise!

S. J. B.

LXIII

MOHAMMEDAN SONG

I have piercing eyes--the eyes of falcons: I am of undoubted n.o.ble lineage: I can read the heart of Osman Aga: I was ask'd by Osman Aga's mother:

"Cursed witch: and yet most lovely maiden!

Why with white and red dost paint thy visage?

Fascinate no longer Osman Aga!

I will speed me to the verdant forest, Build me up of maple-trees a dwelling, And lock up within it Osman Aga."

Then the maid replied to Osman's mother: "Lady Anka! Osman Aga's mother-- I have falcon eyes--and eyes of devils: With them I can ope thy ample dwelling-- With them visit, too, thy Osman Aga."

S. J. B.

LXIV

BROTHERLESS SISTERS

Two solitary sisters, who A brother's fondness never knew, Agreed, poor girls, with one another, That they would make themselves a brother: They cut them silk, as snow-drops white; And silk, as richest rubies bright; They carved his body from a bough Of box-tree from the mountain's brow; Two jewels dark for eyes they gave; For eyebrows, from the ocean's wave They took two leeches; and for teeth Fix'd pearls above, and pearls beneath; For food they gave him honey sweet, And said, "Now live, and speak, and eat."

S. J. B.

LXV

MISFORTUNES