Page:Bohemian legends and other poems.djvu/31

 But only one, a noble youth— Bores, whose words were words of truth,
 * Found favor in the maiden’s sight;
 * He was a brave and goodly knight.

The marriage day was fixed and came—
 * It should have been their wedding eve,

When all at once the trumpet’s sound
 * Called on the warrior youths to leave

These pleasures, and to go to war— The enemy was at the door.
 * Brave Boreš, with his soldiers few,

Joined Šlik, and Budoec “The True.”

The enemy was stronger far—
 * The poor Bohemians lost the day;

Their homes were sacked, their lives were lost,
 * The noblest did the conquerors slay.

But midst it all the Kryspek race, Lived all forgotten on their place;
 * They even dared to dream that they
 * Were stricken from the list away.

For vengeance with a bloody sword
 * Struck down the noblest of the laud;

And as the blow fell not, they thought
 * They had been pardoned out of hand.

One evening as the Vesper rang, Passed through the gate, with marshal clang
 * The noble Boreš, wild to see
 * His Jitka, wife that was to be.

To-morrow”—went from lip to lip—
 * To-morrow is the wedding day;

To-morrow let us hope no storm "Of grief, or sorrow, dim the day.” All things were ready for the feast, To-morrow they would fetch the priest.
 * Well pleased they sat them down to sup,
 * By generous cheer and brimming cup.