An Anthology of Jugoslav Poetry; Serbian Lyrics Part 4

Then sped she to the youth--"A kiss-- At least one kiss of love for this-- For this--for thee--I dress'd the cup With poison--and he drank it up-- The brother that thou lov'st not--he I poison'd for a kiss from thee"--

Away! away! thou murd'rous maid!

Avaunt! Avaunt!--the lover said: "What fame--what courage could confide In thee--a heartless fratricide."

S. J. B.

XXII

LOVE

The youth he struck on the tambourine, And nought was so bright as its golden sheen; Of the hair of maidens twined together Its strings, which he struck with a falcon's feather.

The maid look'd down from the balcony, And thus to her inner self said she:--

"O heaven! what a n.o.ble youth is he!

Would'st thou but give this youth to me, I would make of the garden-pinks his bed, I would lay fair roses under his head; And waked by perfume, with what delight Would he kiss the maiden's forehead white!"

S. J. B.

XXIII

MAPLE TREE

O thou brotherly maple tree!

Wilt thou be a friend to me?

Be a brother, and a friend!

To the green gra.s.s thy branches bend, That I may climb to their highest tip!

Look o'er the sea, and see the ship, Where my lover sits smiling now; He binds the turban round his brow, And over his shoulders the shawl he flings, Which is full of mine own embroiderings.

For three long years my hands inwove Those golden flowers to deck my love: The richest silk of the brightest dyes I work'd for him, and now my eyes Would fain my absent lover see: a.s.sist me, brotherly maple tree!

And tell me, if he thinks of me!

S. J. B.

XXIV

s.e.m.e.nDRIAN BEAUTY

Lovely maiden of s.e.m.e.ndria!

Hail thee, youth! and health be with thee!

Hast thou visited the markets?

Saw'st thou there a sheet of paper?

Like that paper is my forehead.

Hast thou ever seen the vineyard, Seen the rosy wine that flows there?

Youth! my cheeks that wine resemble.

Didst thou ever walk the meadows, Hast thou seen the black sloe-berry?

That black sloe my eyes will paint thee: Hast thou wandered near the ocean?

Hast thou seen the _pijavica_?[14]

Like it are the maiden's eye-brows.

S. J. B.

XXV

SELF-ADMIRATION

A maiden to the fountain went; I saw her overhang the place-- And--she was young and innocent-- I heard her say with simple grace, "Indeed she has a pretty face; And if she had a spring-flower wreath, How well 'twould sit upon her brow; And she might hear the shepherd breathe, Yes! thou shalt be my maiden now!

The shepherd--'midst his fleecy drove, Goes like a moon the stars above."

S.J.B.

XXVI

a.s.sIGNATION

Maiden! let us share each other's kisses!

Tell me, tell me, where shall be our meeting, In thy garden, or in mine, sweet maiden?

Under thine, or under my green rose-tree; Thou shalt be a rose, my gentle angel: I to a fond b.u.t.terfly will change me, Everlastingly o'er thee to flutter-- On thy flowers untired I will suspend me, Living blest upon mine own love's kisses.

S.J.B.

XXVII

FOOLISH VOW

The maiden made a foolish vow: "I'll never wear a flow'ret now:-- No flow'ret shall be ever mine-- I'll never drink the proffer'd wine.

No wine I'll drink--no friend I'll kiss No, never more--my vow is this."